The term test automation is used to describe the automation of software testing. Test automation aims to reduce the time and cost of software testing. But, as in any software development project, there is a chance that test automation fails. So why your test automation process is failing? We will explore the top three reasons for test automation failures and their solutions.
Imagine this scenario.
You make huge investments into developing a test automation system for your teams. You burn the midnight oil to get the metrics and data right. After months of hard work, you are happy to have developed a foolproof test automation system.
But then the unexpected happens.
- Your teams keep getting back the bugs.
- Developers find that the system has slowed down.
- You cannot figure out how to add new features.
Has it ever happened to you?
Don’t worry! You are not alone.
Teams across the world are victims of test automation failures. However, there is good news. You can take effective steps to overcome test automation failure with the correct diagnosis.
In this blog, let’s understand the top 3 reasons for test automation failures.
Top 3 Reasons Why Test Automation Fails
Test automation fails mainly due to a lack of proper analysis, poor test data, and the use of incorrect metrics.
Let’s understand these metrics in detail.
Reason 1: Mixture of Different Test Environments
The low-quality test environment is the number one reason why test automation fails. Some organizations have hybrid test environments that are shared by multiple teams. Each team tests the code in its own way. Some may also test the code manually, leading to multiple errors. Also, it’s difficult to identify the source of errors as multiple teams work on the same hybrid platform.
Best Solution to Tackle a Low-Quality Test Environment
- Get to the root of the issue by running the code afresh on a local developer machine. If there are errors in the local code, correct the mistakes before integrating the entire code.
- Regularly update software and take care of security patches.
- Redeploy and test your code during every check-in to minimize failure rates.
Reason 2: Presence of Poor Test Data
Poor data can drastically affect the output of an automated test. There are situations when tests depend on specific database states due to which developers do not have any control over their behavior. Ideally, tests should be able to create their independent data, rather than relying on third-party services.
Second, irrespective of complex data structures, you should be able to create independent objects for your testing needs. However, teams cannot create data based on their unique requirements. In the end, they feel that the script is broken when the core issue lies with faulty applications.
Best Solution to Tackle Poor Test Data
You must create many data combinations that can be used for multiple situations. Also, it should be readily available for use by any of your team members. Usually, data from production can be used to simulate the test environment. Your team must be ready to develop innovative test data for new feature development.
Reason 3: Use of Incorrect Metrics
Incorrect use of metrics is another common reason why most test automation fails. Metrics help us make important decisions by measuring a definite outcome. Incorrect metrics result in faulty decisions, thereby derailing your entire application. Usually, teams who rely on manual testing are prone to relying on incorrect metrics. Some standard metrics that could be incorrectly captured are increased feedback time, higher code coverage, iteration burndown, and more.
Best Solution to Tackle Incorrect Metrics
- Monitor the feedback time: How long it takes to get the test results is essential to avoid incorrect metrics. Ideally, feedback time should not be too high or too low. If it’s too high, developers may abandon the test altogether. If the feedback time is too short, there is no proper code coverage.
- Ensure at least 80 percent code coverage: The code coverage should be at least 80%. Simple code with no logic doesn’t need in-depth testing. In contrast, less than 80% of test coverage is a concern if complex logic is involved. In that case, performing a few basic UI tests will greatly help.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided some insight into the top three reasons for test automation failures and how to overcome them. It is important to move away from a traditional manual testing process and get on the path of test automation. With the adoption of test automation, you will be able to find and fix more bugs before release while also reducing the time it takes to deliver new features.
We would love to schedule a time to talk with you more about test automation and how you can use it to improve the software development process. Click here and book a convenient time to speak with AnAr Subject Matter Experts.
