Test automation isn't enough to test all possible scenarios. Sometimes you will also need manual testing. You should be aware of any automation tool limitations to avoid unrealistic expectations, which may cost you time, resources, and a positive image with your clients. Keeping the focus on a robust test automation plan and adequate task distribution will help keep you on the safe side.
Automation testing may and will alter the test data. While planning your test automation suite, consider the test data you chaff off and include a procedure to refresh wasted or altered data. A supplementary test automation strategy is to keep separate sets of data for manual and automated testing, which will help avoid one set interfering with the other.
On average, about 50% of all cases are redundant. A good approach towards designing the test cases is to evaluate their relative weight. Having redundant tests reduces the value of test suites. Pick tests that can make it to the finish line and require the least amount of effort to generate the broadest coverage.
Maintaining test scripts and thorough reporting will help minimize the risk of accumulating a massive amount of time-consuming errors that will need to be corrected.
When analyzing the results of your test automation report, always remember to identify which test failure is a show-stopper. Not all test failures have the same relative weight towards the overall success or lack thereof on a project. You can employ helpful test automation reporting tools like
Zebrunner to help make the processes easier.
Make sure that your code is somewhat stable before plunging into the effort of automating its testing. Even though you are highly likely to be working in
agile environments, the timing of the automation testing has to coincide with points where the application is stable enough. Otherwise, your work will be pointless and incur excess costs for substantial reworking both on the development and testing sides.
By assessing the timeline and learning curve for the chosen testing tool, you will facilitate the planning of team effort and budget. Consider specialists with a proper level of expertise who may assist you and how long additional training or retraining them might take. Also, pick tools that match the existing budget to have a promising start to your project.