Automation testing has emerged as an essential factor for achieving success in software development. But is it just a trendy buzzword, or does it hold the key to efficiency and stability in project development?
Seeking insights, we consulted Adi, our QA Automation Tester, about the value and strategic application of automation testing in our projects.
Let’s examine this further:
Automation Testing as a Buzzword
Adi: “I believe that sometimes it can be a misunderstood concept. Some may perceive automation testing as a one-size-fits-all solution, not fully understanding the needs and business goals.
The focus frequently shifts more towards the tools and technologies used in automation testing, overshadowing the strategic importance of when and how to apply them effectively. That’s why, at Fabrit when it comes to testing, we encourage clients to choose what suits them best, in accordance with their product and budgets. Manual and automation can work very well separately and also together” .
Often, the term “automation testing” is popular in tech circles and on social media, making it seem more like the latest industry buzzword rather than a fundamental practice.
When is Automation Testing a necessity?
When we asked this question to Adi, he mentioned some important key points.
“In our case, as a reference, we have a mature and complex project, where we use both manual and automation testing. It’s a platform designed to facilitate the booking of sports venues in cities across US. It was created out of a need identified by sports enthusiasts for a more efficient way to find and book available spaces for various sports activities. The platform operates as an app, offering an efficient solution for individuals and teams looking to rent spaces at sports facilities in various cities. Through the app, users can easily view the availability of spaces, making it simpler to plan and organize sports events or activities.
We chose Automation for few reasons:
The product remains relevant over time and has a long lifespan: Automation testing is particularly valuable for projects expected to have a significant lifespan, ensuring the product remains relevant and functional over time.
The product has been tested in the market and user feedback is collected. For example, if you’re digitizing a project or testing the market with an MVP and later find the product is relevant, it’s not worth investing in automation initially, escpecially if the funds are limited. It’s recommended to have a stable product that has been manually tested, including end-user testing, etc. Then, you can gather market feedback to make informed decisions.
On our platform, Automation ensures that critical functionalities are working smoothly. The testing team can focus on high-level, non-functional aspects such as UI/UX, browser compatibility, and performance across devices.
The testing process is streamlined through automation, starting with unit tests and progressing through layers that cover backend responses, frontend actions, and UI transitions. Critical functionalities like login, registration, booking and purchasing insurance are prioritized in SMOKE tests.
For administrative functions, tests ensure that admins can approve and manage reservations and that financial transactions are correctly processed. As the the project grows, smoke testing covers essential features to ensure product integrity.
The next stages involve sanity testing, which broadens coverage to include secondary features and then regression suite test, providing reassurance to both the team and clients that the product functions correctly across a wider range of scenarios.“
So, from Adi’s expertise, for complex projects with substantial budgets, automation testing becomes a critical component. It balances the need for manual quality assurance (QA) with the efficiency and performance of automated tests. Initially, a manual QA team ensures the stability of features. Once the product direction and business strategy are stable, automation testing is introduced to enhance efficiency and ensure the product is ready for deployment.
In conclusion, is Automation testing a buzzword or a necessity?
Our answer is: it depends on your project. If you have a product that requires testing, consider these three key questions to guide your decision:
- What are your long-term objectives for the project?
- What is the scale of your project?
- At what stage of developement is your product?
For further guidance on making the best choice for your project, drop us an e-mail, we’re here to help.
Thank you Adi for your valuable insights!
