Traditional app testing is an arduous task. First, a testing case suite has to be drawn out, exploring all the possibilities of the app’s functions. Then, a person has to sit and manually perform all these tasks under time constraints, making sure to follow the steps carefully in order not to miss out on any potential bugs. What’s more, a good number of these steps will all have to be repeated (with new processes thrown in) at every development stage of the app, or as soon as a new version is released.
In automated testing, on the other hand, the whole testing process is put on rails thanks to automation software. These automation testing services add value by also recording the test suite, allowing the developers and QA testers to replay it when needed. Also, it frees up manpower because the whole suite can be run in the background with no human intervention.
How is it important?
The first great advantage of automation is its speed. Because no manual intervention is needed, the automation tool takes the reins of the process at enterprise-level computing speeds. Tied to this is the cost — because you no longer have to pay for man-hours doing rote testing processes, these man-hours can be spent drilling into the finer points of the app. Of course, automated tests are also vastly more accurate than manual tests — observations are logged in detail as they happen, and there is no room for abstract interpretations.
It must be noted that automated testing is not meant to completely replace manual testing, only to supplement it. There are still test cases where bugs undetectable by machines can appear, and there are also other aspects such as user experience that are best assessed manually. Still, automation helps cover all of the app’s bases without requiring the mammoth effort otherwise needed from the development and QA team.
Also Read: Automating Testing Tools and Continuous Integration
How does the process work?
The first step to automation testing services is to select the tool that will be needed for the process. Various apps are built on various technologies, and one needs to find the correct tool suited for this technology. Typically, the testing process starts by creating a proof of concept of various tools.
The next step is to identify which part of the app will be tested. Extensive testing for larger or more complicated apps will need to be broken down into different testing phases. It is highly suggested that you identify which parts of the app will be the key business components, or which parts will be most used across different functions.Â
Once the test scope is identified, it is time to move on to the preparation of the “testbed” or the key structure of the testing process. The schedule should also be worked on, along with the definite goals, measurements, or deliverables the testing process wants to achieve.
Finally comes the execution of the test, wherein the testing scripts are put to work. The output will be the detailed test results that contain the aforementioned deliverables.
There is also the “maintenance” approach to testing wherein new automation scripts are added to the original in response to new functions added to the app. This will make sure that as new features are rolled out, the key components of the app do not break.
Details matter most
For an automated testing process to work best, the details have to be fleshed out as much as possible. This includes the scope and the role that the testing tool will play in the overall development of the app. Not only should the tool and testing framework be proper, but the entire testing process should also be done in sync with the rest of the app’s development schedule.
All this seems to be a lot to decide on, but thankfully, it has now become a norm for providers of automation testing services to provide a full spectrum of services, including advice on how to proceed with the automation and what frameworks and tools will work best. While it will still be the developers who will have the final word on the conduct of the project, these expert advices will go a long way in improving the development and release cycles of your apps.
Also Read: 7 Top Cloud Platforms for Mobile App Testing
