How to pick the right test cases to automate

Testing the code…A battle against time!

Traditionally, manual testing has always been the cornerstone of quality control for software. However, it often proves to be time-consuming, error-prone, and limited in scope. These limitations become more and more evident as applications are now complex and release cycles are accelerated.

This demand for agility and efficiency led to the advent of automation, where there was an emphasis on speed, efficiency, and wider coverage.

As a result, most of the testing projects are trying to shift their focus on translating their manual test cases to automated ones to enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall testing coverage.

AI-powered Automated Test Case Generation results in:

Getting the test plan and test strategy right is an important step of testing and at the heart of effective testing lie test cases – they are indispensable for ensuring high quality, reliable, and user-friendly applications. We have talked in detail about “Understanding Test Plan and Test Strategy for Effective Test Automation” in our blog published last week. Click here to read more.

Now, let’s look at the key considerations in selecting the right tests to automate.

Step 1 – Identifying the right test cases

A test case is a well-defined specification of inputs, test procedures, test conditions, and expected output. They are designed to uncover defects and vulnerabilities in the application, validate the applications works as intended, and meet performance standards.

Pro Tip: Understand why Modularity in test case writing is critical

To ensure overall test coverage, you need a well-rounded set of test cases that address various aspects of the application.

For example:

• Test cases to assess the overall user experience
• Test cases which impact the functionality
• Test cases to verify how the application handles unexpected errors and exceptions.
• Test cases for verifying the interaction between different modules of the application
• Test cases which may impact security and performance

But does that mean you can automate ALL tests?

Step 2 – Identifying the right test cases – TO AUTOMATE!

Now that the test cases have been identified, the next step is to execute them. That calls for the next level decision, which ones to be executed manually, and which ones to be done via automation.

The decision to automate or not should be based on various factors such as the testing objectives of the particular project, complexity, availability of skilled resources, and Return on Investment (ROI). Not all tests will meet these criteria. By carefully selecting the right tests for automation, teams can unlock a myriad of benefits, from increased efficiency and speed to enhanced test coverage and early defect detection.

Tests that should be automated:

Tests that are repeatable – Tests that are run with each code change to ensure existing functionality remains intact.

Example: Let’s take an example of an online banking application. Automate tests for account verification or tests for repeated balance inquiries.

Business Critical tests – The features or modules that could cause damage to the business if they fail.

Example: Automate tests for complex loan approval or online bill payment scenarios involving various parameters and criteria.

Regression Tests: Tests that verify the functionality of the application after each code/build release. Read on to know What are the 3 types of Regression Testing and when to  use them?

Example: Automate bill payment module after each code update.

Performance Tests like Load and Stress Tests: Tests that simulate load and stress conditions on your application during heavy user traffic. Check this out to know more about the Performance Testing Types & Metrics

Example: Automate performance tests to evaluate the responsiveness of online banking services during peak hours or during tax filing months.

Security Testing: Tests to identify any vulnerabilities in the application. See how you can Add Security Testing with Complete Regression Test.

Example: Automate security tests to identify data security and web vulnerabilities.

Integration Tests and Compatibility Tests: Tests that verify compatibility across different browsers, devices, and operating systems.

Example: Automate tests to ensure that your banking application functions seamlessly on multiple web browsers and devices, and external systems like payment gateways.

API Testing: Tests that help to ensure the integrity and functionality of your application’s services. Also learn the 5 Traps to Avoid in API Testing and some Dos and donts of API testing.

Example: Automate API tests to validate the functionality of a banking application’s RESTful APIs for fund transfers or payments.

Tests that should not be automated

Though there are many benefits to automation, it’s important to recognize that not all tests are best suited for automation.

How Webomates does it

It’s the era of smart testing. And in today’s global competition, the ability to inspect the product quality comprehensively and reliably is a key success factor for organizations.

Webomates’ powerful, patented CQ Portal uses advanced AI and ML algorithms and deep learning to produce actionable results from multivariate problems.

Webomates offers regression testing as a service that is a combination of test cases based on testing and exploratory testing. Test cases based testing establishes a baseline and uses a multi-execution channel approach, to reach true pass / true fail, using AI Automation, automation, manual, and crowdsourcing.

Webomates Intelligent Test Automation helps to create test cases that are automatically generated from application models thus enabling Continuous Testing too.
If you are interested in learning more about Webomates’ CQ service please click here and schedule a demo, or reach out to us at info@webomates.com