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One can associate a lot of benefits to the implementation of automated testing and with the use of best practices in automated testing, one can ensure that the testing approach can deliver the maximum return on investment (ROI). Automated testing also helps in reducing development cycles, and do away with repetitive tasks that will boost software quality. These best practices help in creating a successful foundation for enhanced software quality.

Here are the top tips to ensure that the software testing process is successful and one gets maximum return on investment:

Decide the Best Test Cases for Test Automation

The benefit of automated testing is based on the fact that a test has to be repeated often. Tests that need to be performed some times are good enough for manual testing. Those tests that run frequently and involve humungous data should be automated.

Success in test automation is based on careful planning. One needs to first identify the number of tests to automate, that will serve as a guide for any of the tests that you will be using later on. Defining a goal is important with automated testing so that you determine why you are picking up some tests to automate. For instance, one can zero in with unit testing for testing a small part of the intended application. Alternatively, one can opt for functional or GUI testing for testing a certain area of the UI.

Actions of the Automated Test

After determining the goal of the test, one should decide on the actions of the automated tests. Testing various aspects of application’s behavior at one time will become complex especially if it is large enough to edit and debug. Dividing tests into logical, smaller tests is the option to go. The actions will help shaping the tests into a coherent and manageable form wherein one could test code, data and processes. One can get more opportunities for updating automated tests with new functionality. Do not wait until the complete feature is implemented, and get it tested in the initial phase itself.

Test Early in the Development Phase and Test Often

Automated testing should start as early as possible and need to be performed as needed. Early testing benefits the project better, and it is natural to find more bugs with every level. Automated unit testing can gradually build your automated test suite. Also early bugs are cheaper to fix than those discovered during the deployment phase.

Select the Perfect Automated Testing Tool for your Needs

Selecting an automated testing tool is crucial in performing test automation. One should look into the following factors before deciding on the automated testing tool:

1. Check out the support for platforms and technology along with operating systems on which the tests are performed. Assess whether the strategy is right for mobile application testing or it is more conducive to desktop application testing.

2. Check out for flexibility for testers of all types and skill levels. Is your department conversant with writing automated test scripts?

3. Check out the features and whether the automated testing tool supports record-and-playback test creation along with manual testing process.

4. Create reusable, maintainable and resistant automated tests for meeting changes in the application UI.

Divide Automated Testing Efforts

Usually, the creation of different tests is based on the QA staff’s skill levels. One needs to identify whether the automated testing efforts is aligned with the experience and skills of each team member. Automated tests require adroitness in scripting languages. One should have good QA engineers who are experienced in using the script language for performing automated tests efficiently.

If some team members cannot write automated test scripts, you can get them to write test cases. Also some of them can write keyword tests since they can be written by technical and non-technical users and yet one can create robust automated tests. Collaboration with other QA engineers is essential in weeding out defects efficiently and effectively.