Getting started with test automation: do's and don'ts

You've finally decided to start automated software testing in your organization. But how do you make sure it succeeds? This guide helps you avoid common mistakes and gives practical tips to kickstart test automation.

Common mistakes in test automation

To begin with, let's dispel a myth: test automation doesn't happen by itself. The medium- and long-term benefits are significant, but before you experience these benefits, your organization needs to invest time and money.

By avoiding the following common mistakes, your organization or team can be one step closer to success with test automation:

1. Unrealistic expectations about test automation

One of the main reasons automation projects fail is because organizations expect immediate results. While test automation reduces repetitive work, the initial investment in time and resources may not yield instant returns. Some teams mistakenly believe automation guarantees bug-free software, which is not the case. Others fear that automation could replace their jobs. In reality, automation allows testers to focus on higher-value tasks, making their work more engaging and impactful.

2. Seeing the tool as the goal

Another frequent pitfall is treating the automation tool itself as the ultimate objective. Automation is a means, not an end. Before selecting a tool, you need to define what you aim to achieve, which scenarios to automate, and how the tool integrates with your team and workflow. Choosing a customizable tool ensures it adapts to your organization’s specific needs rather than forcing your team to adjust to it.

3. Stopping manual testing entirely

Finally, some teams assume that once they implement test automation, manual testing is no longer necessary. This is a mistake. Exploratory testing, which evaluates new features for potential issues, is still best done manually. Additionally, automation is less effective for testing user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). Combining automated and manual testing delivers the most reliable and comprehensive results.

Kickstart test automation

To accelerate success, start by identifying the most critical functionalities and the tests that consume the most time.

• Identify important functionalities
  First things first: find out the most important functionalities for your organization and which tests take up the most time. Start by automating these tests for the quickest results.
  
  
• Write out the test steps first 
  The temptation is great to start writing automated test scripts right away, but it's better to wait a bit. Determine first what you want to test and what test steps are involved. Have you not forgotten any steps? Then your team can start writing the scripts.
  
  
• Engage an expert 
  Test automation is something a team can relatively quickly take on themselves, but to give it a kickstart, it's a good idea to engage the help of an expert. Take a test automation training course, ask for help setting up the tools, and/or have a test consultant join your (agile) team.

How GX can help with test automation

At GX, we are experts in test automation. Our CMS XperienCentral and experience building websites for clients like PSV, KPN, and Klaverblad Insurance make us a trusted partner for organizations implementing automated testing. We provide:

• Test Automation Platform: Create, execute, and report tests in one centralized location.

• Test Automation Training: In-house training programs to empower your team to take ownership of automation.

• Test Automation Consultancy: Tailored advice and support to integrate automation smoothly into your workflow.

Discover how GX puts test automation into practice

Ready to take your test automation to the next level? Contact GX today to discover how our platform, training, and consultancy services can help your team implement automated testing effectively and deliver real results. I will happily tell you more over a (digital) cup of coffee.