“An Agile Test Automation Strategy”
Use the Agile Test Quadrants to help you identify the different types of test automation tools you might need for each project, even each iteration.
Test Automation Pyramid (introduced by Mike Cohn)
Lowest Layer- Bulk of automated unit , technology facing tests. Quickest feedback, code much more quickly using xUnit family of tools
Middle layer – Automated business-facing tests that help the team. “Are we building the right thing” Tests operate at the API, behind the GUI level. Bypass the presentation layer – less expensive to write & maintain these tests. Fit & FitNesse are good examples, written in domain language
Top Tier – Should be the smallest automation effort as they have the lowest ROI. Done through GUI, operating on the presentation layer. More expensive to write, more brittle and need more maintenance.
- Any tedious or repetitive task involved in developing software is a candidate for automation.
- AN automated deployment process is imperative – getting automated build emails listing every change made is a big help to testers. It speeds up testing & reduces errors.
- A fast running continuous integration and build process gives the greatest ROI of any automation effort.
- Another useful area for automation is data creation or setup. Cleaning up test data is as important as generating it. You data creation toolkit should include ways to tear down the test data so it doesn’t affect a different test or prevent rerunning the same test.
What we shouldn’t automate
- Usability testing
- Exploratory testing
- Tests that will never fail
- One-Off tests
- Plan-in plenty of time for evaluating tools, setting up build processes, and experimenting with different test approaches in the initial iterations.
- If management is reluctant to give the team time to implement automation, explain the trade-offs clearly. Work towards a compromise.
- We will always have deadlines, and we always feel pressed for time. There is never enough time to go back and fix things. During your next planning meeting, budget time to make meaningful progress on your automation efforts.
- Good test management ensures that tests can provide effective documentation of the system and of the development progress
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