A crucial step in the software development process is regression testing. It aids in ensuring that any updated or new code does not interfere with any functionality that already exists. Manual regression testing, however, can be laborious and error-prone. Test automation can help with this. Organizations may increase quality and save time and effort by automating regression test cases. Nevertheless, while putting up automated regression testing, there are a few important aspects to take into account. The following are the top 5 things to remember:
1. Choose the Right Test Cases
When automating regression tests, it is important to select the right test cases to focus on. Choose tests that validate critical or high-risk features, test areas prone to errors or those that run frequently or take a long time to execute manually. Prioritizing based on factors like risk, criticality and execution frequency will ensure the test automation effort pays off well by focusing on tests that provide maximum value through automation. This helps optimize the regression testing process.
2. Select the Right Automation Tool
When choosing a test automation tool, it is important to pick one that is the best fit. Consider whether the tool has an intuitive interface for both technical and non-technical users to create tests easily. The tool should support the frameworks and languages used in your project. It should be capable of running tests on multiple environments and browsers. It must also allow tests to be maintained simply over time. Look for tools that integrate with continuous integration and delivery pipelines. Evaluating options and running proofs of concept can help identify the tool that aligns best with your needs.
3. Design Maintainable Test Code
It is important to design test code using best practices to ensure it is maintainable over time. The test code should have modular reusable functions rather than long scripts for better manageability. Page Object Model pattern separates UI from logic for enhanced readability. Descriptive names are used for various test components. Tests are designed to avoid dependencies so they don’t impact each other. Validations and assertions make tests self-validating. Separating test data from code keeps the code clean and simple to maintain going forward.
4. Set Up the Right Infrastructure
It is important to set up the necessary infrastructure for automated regression testing. This includes creating environments like development, testing, and production for the tests to run seamlessly. A CI/CD pipeline is required to run tests automatically with each code change. The infrastructure should also facilitate cross-browser and cross-OS compatibility testing using an on-premise or cloud-based test lab. Proper test data configuration and integration with bug tracking and reporting tools further helps make the automation process effective.
5. Monitor and Improve Over Time
It is important to continuously monitor the automated test suites to ensure they remain effective over time as the codebase evolves. Teams should track success/failure rates to identify fragile tests for refactoring. Old unused tests should be retired to reduce maintenance. Performance can be improved through optimizations. Enhanced reporting and analytics provide visibility. Regular monitoring activities help maximize returns from test automation investments by keeping suites updated and optimized.
Conclusion
By focusing on the right automation testing without coding tools, infrastructure and continuous improvements, organizations can build robust automated regression testing that saves time and effort in the long run. If you are looking for an easy way to automate regression testing of your business applications like ERPs, consider Opkey.
Opkey is a leading test automation solution that transforms manual test cases into automated ones with a simple click, allowing even non-technical users to build regression test suites intuitively. It comes pre-packaged with over 30,000 test cases for various ERPs, instantly increasing test coverage. Opkey’s change impact analysis and self-healing scripts help optimize maintenance efforts. Leading companies like Just Group were able to reduce their regression testing cycle times by 68% and achieve comprehensive testing using Opkey’s automated capabilities.
