Agile Testing is Not just about Automation
The
discussion regarding how far agile testing and test automation are
related remains incomplete without studying in details about each of
them individually. Let us begin our discussion by looking into some
principles of automated testing.
Principles of Test Automation
Principles of Test Automation
To
begin with, it is a process that has to be executed by expert
professionals in the field and it is certainly not a replacement of
humans. Alongside, it is also a fact that this process, unlike test
execution, has a lot many aspects attached to it. This process might
fall victim to instant obsolescence at the same time. The tools that are
used in implementation of the process are many and varied while the
entire procedure is largely dependent upon product testability.
Principles of Agile Testing
Coming to the specific type of software testing services,
the basic difference lies in the application of different principles of
agile development to the problems that arise with respect to test
automation. Some of the basic operating principles of this particular
type of test automation are delineated as follows:
- The tools that are used offer support for every aspect of the test project instead of supporting just the execution part.
- The automation process is directed by professional testers. The support of expert programmers marks the progress of this particular process.
- The programmers, also referred to as toolsmiths, advocate the testability features and lead to the production of tools that are capable of exploiting those features in the desired manner.
- Testing is carried out to achieve short term goals.
- Those tests that are meant to take place on a long term basis also necessitate a challenging business case.
The Tasks
There
is a wide range of such tasks that need to be handled by programmers.
Some of these tasks include responding to those assistance requests from
the testers rather rapidly, identifying the test productivity issues
and finding solutions to these issues. Application of the required
technology to improve the quality of the process, researching the
available tools and learning the precise ways of using these also comes
within the scope of this process.
The Difference between the Two
Arriving
at the point of discussion that is, agile testing is not about
automation, it can be said that effective communication and
collaboration are the most essential aspects of the former. In order to
make the process successful, maximum emphasis has to be put on the
quality aspect. The QA managers and their participation is extremely
desirable in this regard.
Test
automation, on the other hand, involves a use of the special software,
other than the software that is being tested. The primary objective is
to run a particular set of tests a number of times to make sure that the
software remains intact and does not break as a consequence of the
changes that are introduced. With the development teams adopting the
practice of continuous integration, automated testing is considered to
be a part of the procedure of the building of continuous integration.
So,
for anyone willing to go for a premise of the test quadrant, not all
the practices are applicable for automation. Now, this particular type
of test is important, as it helps in understanding whether the desired
thing is being built for the users.
It
can be concluded saying that automation is a part of agile testing but
the two are not integrated with each other. The procedures should be
used in the right way and the implementation of the same carried out in
the way it should be done. Both the process as well as the testers are
inseparable and extremely essential components of the agile process.
We provide QA testing services. If you want to hire software testers for your testing needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
Agile Testing is Not just about Automation
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