What are the benefits of QA automation?

1. Reduces testing time and cost

Constant application releases require repetitive software testing to test every product feature and remove software bugs. Manual testing slows down the entire process and can cause delays in releasing updates to customers. With QA automation, the same test scripts can be executed many times on different hardware and software configurations with automated testing. Similarly, automated scripts can be run “all day and night” to save time.

2. Improved product quality

QA teams can run thousands of automated test cases simultaneously and on multiple platforms and devices. It can explore applications in-depth and check the memory data, data tables, and internal file structure. This can improve the quality and performance of the final software product. Similarly, automated regression testing can be used to test every application feature. This can be pretty challenging for manual testing.

3. Better resource utilization

Automation in QA testing can help QA team members apply their knowledge and skills in advanced product testing. Automation testing helps execute Functional and regression test cases without any human intervention. QA test automation also reduces the dependence on the presence of a large QA team; experienced QA resources can be utilized to create better test cases, improving product quality.

4. Suited for CI/CD and DevOps

Manual testing is challenging to manage as software code gets more complex or when there is an increase in test cases. Automated testing helps development companies quickly switch to Continuous Improvement and delivery (or CI/CD mode). Automation facilitates continuous testing required for DevOps.

5. Less expensive eventually

Beyond the initial investment and setup costs, once automation test scripts are set up, it takes significantly less supervision to monitor test execution and troubleshoot script failures. As test automation ensures quality outcomes, money, and resources to fix post-release glitches are lower.

6. Comprehensive Test Coverage

Countless complex test cases across multiple computers can be simultaneously executed with test automation; this is impossible with manual testing. Automated QA testing examines an application from the inside to analyze its memory contents, file contents, data tables, and internal program states to verify the application's performance at every step.

7. Round-the-clock testing with quick feedback

Automated QA testing can run tests continuously around the clock irrespective of the quantity without hindering the amount or quality of test performance. This means that the testing team can easily schedule trials at the end of a workday and come back to work the next day to review the automation testing results. The quick feedback mechanism helps deliver code updates faster and, in return, accelerates the market launch process. Automation testing helps coders, designers, and product owners collaborate better for reliable, specific test results.

7. Round-the-clock testing with quick feedback

Automated QA testing can run tests continuously around the clock irrespective of the quantity without hindering the amount or quality of test performance. This means that the testing team can easily schedule trials at the end of a workday and come back to work the next day to review the automation testing results. The quick feedback mechanism helps deliver code updates faster and, in return, accelerates the market launch process. Automation testing helps coders, designers, and product owners collaborate better for reliable, specific test results.

8. Comprehensive reporting mechanism

Automated QA testing is designed to deliver results for each test case executed; test scripts are available to be monitored through visual logs with details on the number of test cases completed or scheduled, along with reported defects and fixes. An efficient test automation system can gather additional testing data, including performance metrics.

9. Scalable and easy to market faster

QA test automation can help handle thousands of test cases simultaneously with significantly less manual intervention and, hence, is equipped to drive growth in project demands. With less time required to execute tests and more time given to fix defects, the time to market the application can be faster.

In the meantime, let us also bear in mind some common challenges faced while automating the QA testing process.

4 Challenges of QA Test Automation

1. Missing the human touch

Despite all the “talk” about complete automation, test automation tools are not “smart” enough to replace human testers. Automated testing can make the tester’s job easier but cannot replace a high-quality tester.

Further, automated QA testing also requires human resources with advanced programming skills and knowledge of testing tools. Additionally, software developers cannot replace a skilled software tester for writing automation test scripts.

2. Handling high initial setup costs

Product companies need help designing and configuring an automated test framework despite all its benefits. Test automation frameworks are difficult to maintain and have high setup costs in the initial phase.

Companies also require skilled testing professionals with testing tools and programming languages.

3. Choice of the right test automation platform

With so many automated testing tools available in the market, choosing the right tool is difficult. Not every automation tool can be tweaked to work with all applications or software architecture.

4. The need for efficient team collaboration

For the best results, software testers must collaborate and communicate effectively with developers, business analysts, and project managers. Ineffective team collaboration can delay both development and testing efforts.

Why ACCELQ for QA Automation?

Forrester Wave named ACCELQ the leader in the “Continuous Test Automation Suites” category in 2022. With its AI (Artificial Intelligence) codeless approach to automated testing, ACCELQ has simplified QA automation, enabling product companies to achieve 3x higher productivity and over 70% cost savings with its design-first system. To get started on the test automation journey, contact our team.