The Benefits of Scriptless Test Automation in Enabling Agile

The rising demand for quality, scale, and speed in the development, testing, and delivery of an application has made test automation an integral part of the SDLC. It may be noted that traditional testing processes are no longer capable of supporting the tough requirements of Agile. Hence, in an Agile-DevOps driven SDLC, the focus is on releasing more software applications in lesser time. This is done ostensibly by enterprises to keep pace with the competitive global digital landscape. With customer experience becoming the chief determinant for the market adaptability of any software application, the demand on testers to conduct comprehensive QA in the shortest possible time is intense.

Even though test automation can be considered a force multiplier in the SDLC, it requires the writing of test scripts using programming languages. Also, a lot of time and effort is spent on maintaining the test scripts for future requirements. In a fast-paced development scenario, these can often be the proverbial Achilles’ heel for enterprises. So, to keep up with the demands of an Agile-driven development process, scriptless testing is the way to go. It comes across as an ideal alternative to conventional test automation.

What is scriptless or codeless automation testing?

As opposed to the common perception of total elimination of the use of test scripts, scriptless testing is more about simplifying the testing process by focusing on business logic validation. The process minimizes the interaction between testers and code considerably and even allows non-technical members to write test scripts without knowing to code. The intuitive user interface of a scriptless test automation framework makes it easy to drive automation by putting English words into designated controls. These words do the heavy lifting behind the scenes as testers simply mention the steps while the framework translates the steps into test cases. Since such test scripts can be reused and do not need high maintenance, organizations can accelerate and scale up their testing processes and release quality software applications quickly.

Why Agile needs scriptless automated testing?

The Agile methodology enables the software development teams to respond to changes quickly. These changes could be related to the project scope, requirements, and technologies, among others. Agile ensures the project meets client requirements and expectations at every stage of the SDLC thereby saving time, effort, and money. Agile streamlines the workflow and enables stakeholders to align their business objectives in real-time. In a conventional test automation process, writing test scripts and executing various types of testing are reserved only for people with the right technical know-how. However, with scriptless automated testing, other stakeholders in a project such as strategists and business analysts can conduct automated testing and derive rightful inferences.

How scriptless testing services can make software development more Agile?

Agile is about breaking silos and make the entire software development into a collaborative process. It envisages the simultaneous development and testing of a code thereby identifying and eliminating glitches early on. With codeless automation testing, enterprises can derive the following benefits, which are in alignment with Agile goals.

• Time management: The faster

automated testing services are used the quicker the software product reaches the market. Hence, with scriptless testing, the test team can automate large test suites and achieve quicker and better test outcomes like early detection of bugs.

• Cost-effective: By leveraging scriptless test automation tools in the SDLC, organizations can save money on hiring and training of resources. Also, since glitches are identified and eliminated early on in the development process, the cost towards rework gets eliminated.
• Resource put into good use: Agile envisions streamlining the workflow by breaking silos and achieving better collaboration between the development and testing teams. With codeless test automation in force, organizations can deploy their resources for research and other value additions like integrating DevOps pipelines. Even manual testers can use scriptless test automation to utilize their skills.
• Robust and scalable testing approach: By simplifying the process of creation, design, validation, and execution of test cases through a scriptless test automation platform, the test automation approach becomes robust and scalable.
• Better participation: Since there is a minimum coding requirement, even non-technical business stakeholders can participate in the testing process and offer valuable insights. Such collaboration can help in enhancing the quality of the software product.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned advantages of scriptless test automation can transform the SDLC into an Agile-driven one involving concurrent testing and development. This helps to save time in integrating and validating functionalities, and usher in more collaboration, transparency, speed, and better management of change.

James Daniel is a software Tech enthusiastic & works at Cigniti Technologies I'm having a great understanding of today's software testing quality