Ask any product manager or QA lead what the most valuable tool is in their quiver. Chances are good that they’ll say the name of a well-known test automation tool. Acquiring a powerful automation tool is great, but working with a QA provider that knows the tool well and can fully leverage it for best results is a true gamechanger.
Automation works well for functional testing, but it also has broader uses in security testing, performance testing, and more. In fact, there are a seemingly unlimited number of tools and technologies that can be automated, and staying up-to-date with methodology and other best practices can help you realize all of the benefits associated with professional automated testing services. Here’s how to keep current:
Know the trends and adapt to them
With every product company trying to meet deadlines with breakneck speed, you need to be engaged with the latest approaches to automation and keep your ear to the streets with regard to the latest trends and methodology. What’s working for companies like yours? Will such solutions be viable for your organization and your development strategy? Staying alert will help you choose the right automation tools for your application across all environments and platforms, in addition to focusing your approach to framework building.
Be aware of development methodology
If you aren’t aware of what’s happening within your development team, your automation solution will not be as robust as it could be. Communicate with lead engineers and senior members of your development organization to accurately identify the correct controls and objects. Clear communication and a streamlined transfer of knowledge will help you build a robust, maintainable automation solution.
Implement best practices as appropriate
Once you or your QA partner have implemented the automation framework, it’s important to use all of the recommended best practices, processes, and standards. Abiding by some set rules helps ensure that your automation team, whether onsite or offshore, is able to devote most of their time to technology expansion instead of maintenance and upkeep of the existing framework.
Have a research & development team in place
On the topic of technology expansion, your automation team should have a handful of technical experts who devote a large amount of time to experimenting with the latest cutting-edge solutions, testing the latest tools, and devising new, relevant techniques. Some key roles of your R&D team might include:
- Exploring new tools, technologies, and techniques
- Providing and recommending solutions to the larger automation team
- Building and enhancing automation frameworks
- Suggesting new best practices to the larger automation team
- Training engineers on new tools and preparing a resource pool for the organization
Attend regular trainings and engage with the community
The great thing about getting up and running with automation is the amount of great resources that exist for newcomers. A variety of industry thought leaders offer seminars, thorough and informative webinars, topical meetups, and other training courses to help you stay informed about new technology and the larger QA culture.
Online forums, blogs, and other digital resources can also help keep teams on the same page about the latest developments.
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