Automated Vs. Manual QA Testing: A Detailed Guide

Author: Angela Ash

The three pillars of any business are time, expenses, and results. Therefore, the ultimate objective of any business is to maximize its result quality and minimize the costs and time taken.

When we talk about testing, it is a primary factor contributing to the better quality of your software project. Testing helps the software to become reliable and user-friendly. In addition, testing yields a high-performing software of excellent quality when done correctly and thoroughly.

It might sound like a simple task, but to achieve it, you must first learn about software QA testing, its types, functioning, and differences.

Introduction to Software Testing

Software testing is a procedure to ensure that the software meets the expected quality and requirements and is free from any defects or bugs. In this method, the software is evaluated based on one or more interests using QA tools (Quality Assurance), which are classified into manual and automation tools.

Software testing is the preferred method to recognize errors or gaps. It also helps in finding if any requirements are absent contrary to the actual needs.

Principles of Software Testing

Given below are some of the basic principles of software testing:

  • Testing reveals the defects in the application

  • It is impossible to conduct exhaustive testing

  • Initial testing

  • Clustered defects

  • Pesticide paradox

  • Testing is dependent on the context

  • Error fallacy is absent

Types of Testing

Testing is classified into different types, which are as follows:

  1. Unit testing

  2. Integration testing

  3. Regression testing

  4. Smoke testing

  5. Alpha testing

  6. Beta testing

  7. System testing

  8. Stress testing

  9. Performance testing

  10. Object-oriented testing

Is Software Testing Important?

Yes, software testing is vital for the error-free execution of the software. A minor bug or error can be problematic, but if identified and eliminated in the initial phase, it can save your time and effort.

When the software is adequately tested, it enhances its reliability, security, better performance, reduces expense, and ensures customer satisfaction.

Several contact centers use data to analyze the primary components of quality management (QA), which are:

  • Quality assurance

  • Compliance

  • Performance of agent, and

  • Coaching

Out of these, the highest use is of quality assurance (68 percent), while the remaining 53 percent use analytics to determine compliance.

Difference Between Quality Assurance And Software Testing

Software testing and quality assurance differ in their goals, features, and method implementation.

Quality Assurance (QA):

QA refers to the methods to check whether the developed software meets the required specifications. It is structured ideation and evaluation of the testing process that aims at the quality of the software. In other words, QA serves management, product life-cycle, software development techniques, methods, and related things.

Software Testing:

Software testing refers to investigating the software system and scanning its operational levels. It also aids in finding any possible bug or defect. There are several methods by which one can conduct testing, detect bugs, and check if they are fixed or not.

What Is Manual Testing?

Before hopping on to the details of manual and automated testing, it is equally important to know who does these testing? The people behind testing processes are called Testers or Quality Assurance Specialists.

Manual testing implies when the process of testing is done by humans manually. It is the best option when automated testing is absent. Performing manual testing helps recognize if an application works efficiently and correctly follows the conditions mentioned in its test cases. It involves steps like:

  • Evaluating the designs.

  • Checking its functionality.

  • Performance of the application and its various other elements, and more.

When Should You Use Manual Testing?

Manual testing is suitable when performing the following:

  1. Exploratory Testing:

This testing approach is helpful when the specification documentation is written poorly, and there is a lack of time. For this type, you need a tester proficient in analytics, creativity, and intuitive skills. This method involves less planning and more execution.

  1. Usability Testing:

This type of testing approach is helpful when your goal is to find whether your application is user-friendly or not. Human observation is involved in this method as it ensures a satisfactory experience for the end-user.

  1. Ad-hoc Testing:

This testing approach is random and does not involve planning and documentation. Therefore, the result in this type of testing entirely relies on the tester's knowledge and skills.

Advantages of Manual Testing

  • QA Analyst has complete control over the execution of every action.

  • Manual testing is cost-effective as it does not involve any tools.

  • When the changes are minor, and the codebase is smaller, it is best to test it manually for instant verification.

  • Manual testing is the best option for finding visual bugs and working on the application's user-friendliness.

Disadvantages Of Manual Testing

  • Manual testing is a time-consuming process, not only because the process is slow but also because the probability of human errors is high.

  • You don't need to hire testers to perform this method when automation tools can do it.

  • Many tests, such as stress testing, are hard to initiate with manual testing.

  • Manual testing often avoids complex cases and only tests it sporadically.

What Is Automation Testing?

Automated testing consists of pre-scripted tests that execute automatically. It helps compare the achieved results with the expected results and thus helps determine if the application works as desired or needs changes.

Implementing automated testing is advantageous when performing repetitive and regression tests as it ensures the error-free performance of the application after the changes are made. Furthermore, it runs with the help of automated tools, software, and scripts that collectively perform the pre-written actions in the test cases.

It involves steps like:

  • Validating user paths

  • UI workflows

  • Input fields and much more

When Should You Use Automation Testing?

Automation testing is suitable when performing the following:

  1. Regression Testing:

Automated testing is suitable when frequent coding changes require constant testing. It helps determine that the newly implemented code changes do not affect the current functionalities.

  1. Load Testing:

In load testing, automation testing helps determine the system's performance in real-life scenarios. It determines the way a system behaves when it is accessed by multiple users simultaneously.

  1. Performance Testing:

Performance testing determines the application's speed, adaptability, and steadiness. It aims to eradicate any issue related to software performance, and to do so, it needs the stimulation of several concurrent users.

Advantages of Automatic Testing

  • Automated testing is reliable, resilient, and reproducible.

  • Unlike manual testing, it is not prone to errors as every step is automated.

  • Investing in test automation tools helps set up the testing suite that enables you to run things like stress testing.

  • It is more rapid than manual testing and consumes less time.

  • Enables the developers to receive instant feedback.

Disadvantages of Manual Testing

  • It is unsuitable for detecting visual and UX bugs as it requires human involvement.

  • Debugging incorrect test cases might be a time-taking task for the developers.

  • This testing method requires you to purchase numerous licensed tools, which is expensive.

Which Testing Method Is Better to Use?

There is no correct answer to which testing method is best. It is because the way you prefer is wholly based on multiple factors, such as:

  • Your set budget

  • Project requirements

  • Available resources

  • The prescribed timeline

  • The aptness of the testing

  • Expertise

  • Project structure, and many more

However, there is a simple criterion that you can consider when deciding on which method to use for software testing, which is:

  • Manual Testing Is Better For "Validation":

Validation does not involve logic and calculation. Instead, it refers to the quality of the application and if it meets the customer outlook.

Although manual testing includes validation and verification of software codes with multiple codes, its distinct strength is "validation." It helps check whether the application performs its functions as promised to the customers or clients.

  • Automated testing is better for "Verification":

Automated testing provides the best verification testing for application coding. Verification-based execution is more reliable and consistent as every action is repeated with each implementation and verifies a similar workflow. In addition, it assists in handling simple and complicated functions in the application code.

Automated tests verify test coverage when coded in detail to check how it works when used.

Conclusion

To deliver a successful application software, you need to optimize the cost and time it consumes. Therefore, you can not solely depend on one testing method. Instead, you should implement the right and precise combination of manual and automated testing methods.

Even though both testing methods have different uses and characteristics, most businesses use automated testing as much as possible.

It is because automated testing has way more merits than manual testing. Because of this, companies focus more on automated QA, even though it is more costly than manual testing.

So next time you are stuck between manual and automated QA, consider their pros and cons and your requirements, and then move forward. All the best!