What is Agile Automation Framework?

Ever been in a meeting where you’re trying to convince people that your idea is the best, but no one listens? Well, now there’s a framework for that. Join us as we explore how agile automation can help make it easier to win those meetings and get what you want.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about why agile automation is critical for project management, what benefits it has and how to use it. We’ll also answer some common questions like: Can I use Agile Automation with other methodologies? How much time does it take to implement? What tools should I use if I decide to give Agile Automation a try? And many more! Read on and learn all about how agile automation can help you win those meetings.

What Exactly is Agile Automation?

Agile Automation Testing is a methodology for implementing automated tests in agile software development. The aim of agile, automated testing is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the software development lifecycle while preserving quality, timeliness, and resource utilization. As a result, implementing such a procedure needs extensive coordination and cooperation across teams.

In the past few years, ever since the agile approach was introduced with its creators demanding an end to the tedious and complex reality of the old waterfall model, the effect of the same can also be seen regarding Automation Testing.

A real example of a financial service organization that developed a large-scale agile capacity to meet its aspirational automation goals. The firm began implementing agile methods in phases, beginning with its software development teams. It then implemented agile across teams to facilitate collaboration and the sharing of best practices. Finally, the firm convinced the program’s leadership to make the method the default for all automation initiatives. Since the transformation, the firm has seen project delivery times decrease by about 30% and expenses decrease by 15% to 20% across six distinct business lines.

Automation in Waterfall

Within the context of the waterfall, automation testing is typically feasible when the application is consistent and reliable. The requirement requires a significant amount of time and a team of highly skilled automation expert resources, and a significant amount of set-up costs in most instances. Automation Testing’s primary goal is to decrease expenses over time and maximizes. Moreover, it guarantees that no new problems occur due to current test cases.

How to do Agile Automation as a Methodology

By definition, the agile approach emphasizes eliminating time-consuming and tedious documentation to facilitate the implementation of unique and innovative ideas and for people to communicate freely to reduce the implementation of more exploratory ideas.

As a result, we may see a conflict between the core principles of agile methods and automated testing.

Why is Agile Automation Necessary for Testing?

Automation results in improved production and cost savings. Automation has grown so embedded in agile software development so that it’s impossible to imagine one without the other.

In addition, we discussed the primary reasons why automation is necessary for agile testing methodology:

Incremental Development: 

The shortest development cycle is the primary reason that requires automation in agile testing. Agile Scrum teams have few weeks to understand the requirements, modify the code, and test the revised code. If we perform all the testing manually, the time needed would force scrum masters to exceed the time spent on development. As a result, we will have to rush the testing process hence results in reducing the overall quality.

Continual Modifications: 

Agile projects do not operate under a complete set of criteria. The requirements evolve over time and often alter in response to changing client requirements, market developments, and end-user needs. While the agile method’s most advantageous characteristic is its rapid flexibility to change, this also means that testing must be flexible enough to keep up with the changes. Moreover, Automation provides testing with the required agility and enables it to react more quickly and adaptable to changes.

Continuous assessment: 

Agility demands frequent testing. The newly introduced code is covered by the tests and the code from earlier versions. This is to verify that no previously implemented functionality is damaged due to the newly introduced feature. This puts a great deal of strain on the testers and may harm the product’s quality. By automating specific tests, testers get more time for exploratory testing.

Gain immediate insight into the quality of your code: 

Automation testing enables you to rapidly test your code using a standard set of test scripts. This provides the software tester and developer with an early indication of the code’s reliability and allows them more time to respond if the code falls short of expectations.

Testing support functions: 

Automation in testing may be used to automate test script execution against code and data setup, test result validation, and test reporting. Agile development needs continuous code releases, which can be automated. This relieves testers of tedious, repeated duties, allowing them to concentrate on testing.

Regression testing: 

Automation enables testing to be performed indefinitely, allowing for a thorough study of the code. This is very beneficial when dealing with a restricted testing window and guaranteeing code quality.

Agile Automation Tools

As discussed, not all the tests should be automated in Agile. However, the automated testing tool used by Agile teams should cover as much of the testing scope as feasible.

To do this, the team must examine the following factors while choosing an automation tool, keeping in mind the Agile methodology’s nature:

• The tool must be compatible with all operating systems on which the program expects to operate; it must also support various devices and browsers for parallel testing.
• The technology’s learning curve should be minimal, allowing all QA teams to involve rapidly; the solution has comprehensive reporting and integration features.
• Apart from these criteria, the team must consider other factors while determining the most suitable automation tool for their projects.

Some important tools that cover all the above-listed requirements are:

• Selenium
• Kobiton
• TestProject
• Ranorex
• Eggplant
• Subject7
• LambdaTest
• IBM Rational Functional Tester
• Katalon Studio

Conclusion

The growing need for Agile applications by virtually every software development team highlights automation’s competitive advantage. Although the long-term benefits of automation are unknown, QA teams must design their automation methods from the beginning.

On an individual basis, each team and company must consider additional considerations while developing an Agile automated testing plan that maximizes the methodology’s advantages.