QA Automation Guide: Tools, Types of Testing & Best Practices

The software development lifecycle today is changing due to the influence of Quality Assurance Automation (QA Automation). Automated tools and frameworks used to test applications prior to release provide reliable functionality, quality and performance across various platforms and environments. In fast-paced Agile and DevOps environments, QA Automation is a necessity, not just an option.

What is QA Automation?

QA Automation is a method that uses specialized software tools to execute test cases automatically, compare the actual results to the expected results and create an easily readable and detailed test report.

QA Testing with QA Automation

Unlike manual testing where testers go through the entire test case each time, QA Automation enables repeatable and standardized testing that can be easily scaled and executed for Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and for continuously delivering releases.

The Benefits of Using QA Automation

QA Automation provides many advantages to organizations by eliminating testing challenges while improving speed, quality and efficiency. Here are just a few of the many benefits of QA Automation:

Speed and Efficiency.

Running an automated test is dramatically faster than running the same test manually. Tasks that take hours to days manually can be performed in a matter of minutes with automated testing. This allows for increased frequency of testing and faster time to market with new releases.

Cost Efficiency Over Time.

While the initial investment in setting up automated tests can be substantial, they are reusable and as such, will reduce overall costs per release, as you will be able to run the same test multiple times. Over time, this will result in significant reduction of testing costs associated with each release.

Increased Accuracy

With the use of automation, repetitive tasks can now be completed without making mistakes caused by humans. Once an automated test is properly set up and configured, the outcomes from running these tests are consistent and can be relied on.

More Test Coverage

By utilizing automation, thousands of test cases can be executed during one execution cycle, resulting in more comprehensive coverage of the software being tested.

Continual Testing in an Agile & DevOps Environment

Quality Assurance (QA) testing does not disrupt or interfere with the Agile or DevOps workflows because it is integrated into their processes and enables testers to obtain feedback on the progress of their testing in real time while also supporting continual testing.

Components of QA Test Automation

1.Test Automation Tools

Desktop applications used to automate the creation, management, and execution of automated tests. Examples: Selenium, Appium, JUnit, Keploy.

2.Test Scripts

The instructions used by the tester to execute the test case. They are written in a programming language such as Java, Python, and JavaScript, and provide a way to define what needs to be done to ensure the application works appropriately.

3.Test Data

The data used to perform your automated testing (e.g., input, expected output, and environmental conditions). Proper management of test data will guarantee that you have reliable and repeatable tests.

4.Test Environment

The setup (software, hardware, network configurations) of the test environment must replicate the characteristics of the production environment in order for tests to be executed successfully.

QA Automation Testing Includes: