Automation testing saves companies from unjustifiably high expenses coming with conventional manual testing. The more complex software you are using and the more frequent updates it requires, the higher the costs of manual testing are. Automation testing can save a lot of your testing budget.
Yet, switching to test automation can also be challenging. Here are the most typical problems experienced by companies choosing automated solutions for testing.
Defining Expectations and Goals for Automation
Test automation seems so powerful compared to manual testing that it might create a wrong impression of being almighty. In reality, even the most robust automation tools have certain limitations, and they will not be able to deal with the entire scope of work without any human assistance.
Therefore, it is necessary to have clear goals for automation rather than blurred expectations of wizardry. Think about the types of tests your company needs in terms of the software requirements, and define a measurable target for automation.
Lack of Strategy
Without a clearly identified goal, you will not be able to set a strategy for the automation project. At the same time, having a goal still does not guarantee you will build a successful strategy. You will need different approaches if you aim to improve quality, reduce costs or minimize time-to-market.
Choice of Tool for Test Automation
The wide assortment of tools for test automation makes it difficult to pick the right one. Some of them are available for free, but require assistance from professional testers and developers for setting up and maintaining the infrastructure. Others are paid and come with an initial investment.
Testing capabilities also differ. There are solutions earmarked only for particular software, while there are also tools that can be used for different types of products and online applications.
Not all the tools offer automation of the same test types. For instance, Executive Automats can automate both functional and performance tests for Microsoft Dynamics 365, while RSAT is used only for functional testing.
Costs of Automation
Some companies hope to save money using open-source tools for automation and end up paying even more than they would have paid for proprietary products coming with a predictable fee.
The truth is, automation of testing never comes free of charge. Either you decide to make an initial investment into a paid tool and have a clear estimation of costs and ROI, or you will have to handle payments for the professional assistance of developers who will be managing your open-source tool.
Insufficient Automation
If you fail to choose the right tool, you might find its capabilities are limited. For example, your software may not be enough for load testing, as it might be able to simulate only a limited number of concurrent users.
Some tools (e.g. the ones that are not codeless) also require too much support from developers and do not support, e.g. automated test recordings or test report generation.
https://ventsmagazine.com/2022/12/20/top-5-challenges-in-automation-testing/