The year 2001 marked the introduction of one of the most revolutionary changes in software development. A group of enlightened programmers came together to design a methodology that could meet the industry’s rising need for rapid growth and turnaround solutions. Instead of the general waterfall approach, they decided to use a more collaborative and cross-functional approach to software development, which came to be known as the agile methodology.
This development model quickly became the preferred method for companies worldwide. Today, over 71% of companies use agile aas their preferred development approach.
The conventional waterfall model divides the software development life cycle(SDLC) into distinctive phases: design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each phase is only implemented after the previous one is complete. This siloed process is time-consuming, rigorous, and inflexible. On the other hand, agile centers around iterative development and continuous testing, erasing the divide between developers and testers. As a result, it delivers more significant ROI in a shorter time and guarantees better build quality and aptitude for change.
Continuous testing at every stage and phase is imperative to ensure Agile delivers high value. However, this repetitive testing can become cumbersome when done manually. Not only does manual testing require more time, but it also cannot provide the quality assurance required by agile. Hence, automated testing in agile development becomes a crucial component. It enables QA teams to start testing early and with more coverage, identifying potential bugs and defects before snowballing into major functional issues.
What are the benefits of embracing test automation in agile scrum?
Agile testing requires more coverage, less execution time, and higher testing quality. A test automation strategy in Agile meets all these requirements
● Effortless regression testing
Regression testing is a significant test type that must be executed in Agile. Test automation makes it much easier by removing the burden of manually performing repetitive tests.
● Extended test coverage
With many device-OS-browser combinations to test, having the advantage of extended test coverage can be critical.
● Clearer communication and collaboration
The agile methodology is built on a collaborative framework. The QA team is involved in every stage of the SDLC, making quick communication a prerequisite. In addition, test automation solutions have intelligent reporting capabilities that integrate easily with underlying software. These reports can play a significant role in the cycle.
How do you implement automated testing in agile development?
Agile development is inherently contradictory to the principles of automated testing. Hence, it’s essential to consider a few critical points before designing an Agile test automation strategy.
● Plan the entire process beforehand
Agile development involves proactive communication between the QA and development teams. This can only happen if both teams are prepared to take the initiative. Additionally, the testing team needs to ensure all frameworks and required tools are in place.
● Pick suitable test cases to automate
Not all test cases can be automated due to the unstable nature of the code. Automating the wrong tests can prove to be costly in the long run.
Regression, API, non-functional, and GUI tests are ideal candidates for automation.
● Conduct parallel testing
Continuous development requires continuous testing. Automation testing in Agile Scrum enables testers to execute several tests simultaneously on different browsers and platforms.
● Work with DevOps integration
DevOps refers to practices that foster cross-functional collaboration, an integral element of agile. It helps bridge the gap between the QA, development, and operations teams. Most test automation solutions come with DevOps integrations.
● Select the right automation solution
Picking the right automation tool is crucial. Though it is not recommended to automate every test case, the solution must provide the maximum coverage possible. In addition, it should enable cross-browser testing and parallel testing and have a short learning curve.
Automated testing in agile development plays an integral role in the final product deployment in terms of quality and time to market. Using the right automation solution can streamline the entire process. This is where Avo Assure comes into the picture. It’s a robust test automation solution that works perfectly in agile environments. In addition, its intelligent reporting capabilities ensure smooth communication. Moreover, with a built-in 1400+ keyword library, testing is quicker.
Most importantly, its no-code platform enables even business users to perform automated tests.
Avo Assure even helped a leading financial institution upgrade their existing loan management system 2X faster with zero defects. If you want to learn more about how Avo Assure can fit in with Agile and deliver high ROI, sign up for a demo today!
