How to Best Automate Regression Testing Effectively

One of the most popular topics in Automated Testing today is Regression Testing. What is it exactly?

The word “Regression” means “the act of going back”. When applied in Automated Testing, the testing teams needed to conduct tests repeatedly on previous or existing application versions. This test is called Regression Testing and it is performed to make sure that previously working functionality still works after changes elsewhere in the system. These changes can be software patches for new updates or versions or it can be a new functionality development, an integration of third-party components, and so on.

This is why the regression test is critical for businesses to keep a close eye on as it makes sure that said changes have not adversely affected the existing features.

Things to Consider while Automating Regression Testing

There are a lot of factors to consider especially if we are to automate our regression testing. Factors like strategy and approach, the framework, methodologies, timeline, resources and manpower, challenges, and the right tools to conduct software testing and test automation. All these are necessary to facilitate successful test automation.

To start, we need to look at our approach in taking up regression testing. Teams involved should have a clear understanding of the business objectives of regression testing and why we need to automate it. All participants must be aware of the framework they will be using and the methodologies they will be practising within the testing duration.

The Test Leads should carefully plan everything from the resources and manpower estimation to procuring the right automated testing tools to make it possible. Having a well-defined strategy with a list of objectives and reasons for automated testing sets the target, metrics, and KPIs for the test team, functional users and the business itself.

It is also important for you to be aware of the challenges and blockers the test team may face before and during the regression testing process. The anticipation of the challenges is one way of putting up a mitigation plan should the test team encounter a roadblock. We can identify a lot of challenges when we talk about regression testing but the most critical ones include the time consumption, complexity, and the cost to the business.

Regression testing is a time-consuming process as it often involves running an existing test over and again. Given its repetitive nature, the tester team may find this overly unenthusiastic. Complexity is another thing to consider. Every time a product gets updated, they can grow quite complex which only adds up to your regression pack.

Regression testing keeps the product from breaking apart after some changes are implemented and ensure that the existing features are in a functional state. Communicating the Business Value of regression testing to the involved stakeholders can be a complex task too to do especially if they are not technically related. They may not be looking for the product to grow and move forward and may not be looking to make a considerable time investment to extend timelines and this can be a hard sell.

Let us not forget the need to look for an automated testing solution. The solution that pretty much lets you automate regression testing for web applications and services, mobile apps, database, software, and Application Programming Interfaces(APIs). It is critical for the business to have the right platform to automate the regression testing.

Perhaps, you can try Testsigma? A Unified Automated Testing Platform that can identify relevant affected test cases of your Automated Regression Testing.

The Must-Have Features of Automated Regression Testing Tools

Choosing the right automated testing tool to use for your automated regression testing automation could be difficult. There are a plethora of tools available to choose from that claims to offer a “full-fledged” suite for regression testing automation.

Here are some major points to look out for while choosing the right Automated Regression Testing solution.

Easy Modifications

It is a must that the tool you are using makes editing easy. The problem with Record and Playback tools is the amount of rework required. The editing and debugging of functional test scripts is burdensome.

NLP based Automated Testing Tool, Testsigma allows for easy editing of complex test cases with a script-free yet easy method of editing if required. The AI suggests relevant affected test cases and workarounds to fix them. You might need to look for an Automated Regression Testing Tool that allows for easy modifictaions if need be.

Reusable Test Steps

It is only logical to have the said features recorded so when the time comes you need to reuse the record assets; it is easily available for the test team to use with minimal editing required.

Script-less

With the advancement and innovation of technology, script-less test automation has come into play. The solution provides ready-to-use automated test cases and reusable code objects. The problem of coding is largely taken care of by the script-less test automation tool already.

In terms of debugging test scripts, script-less test automation tools eliminate the need to repeatedly debug scripted test code as this already done by the tool itself

Most of all, script-less can easily automate the bulk load of test cases faster almost double the time faster to conventional test automation.

Server-Level Continuous Integration

It is likely to have a team of testers who are involved during the testing session, therefore it is recommended to have the test scripts saved on the server and have it executed there. Automating the process of storing and executing the test scripts on the server-level increases the turnaround time of the whole automated regression testing process.

There are many leading continuous integration tools available like Jenkins, Bamboo, JetBrains, etc., that you may want to integrate with your application automation testing tools. If these tools come as plugins with your automated testing tools, it would be very effective to maintain the test scripts.

It is important that the automated regression testing tool integrates with Continuous Integration (CI)/CD tools that will help to verify your application on regression cycles.

Reuses Methodologies

Every tester practice reusing test cases when needed especially if there are similar scenarios from other projects or probably for succeeding regression cycles. The tool we use to automate the regression testing process should have some kind of methodology where we can combine the various successful reusable test cases to use the successful test cases over and again, and also whenever there are similar kinds of automated regression testing requirements.

The benefit of having the tool combined with methodologies reduces the time required to always test a similar kind of scenario with just a few reusable test cases. The combination of re-usable test cases can sometimes help in the complete regression testing cycles. Also, these methodologies can be saved for future regression testing requirements.

Regression Report Generation Made Easy

Reporting functionalities and capabilities are required and are a must-have for the automated regression testing tool. Test Leads can generate a report with ease. These reports will be used to measure target, KPIs, failure, and success of a particular test case. This is also useful in conducting thorough-checks and audits if applications are being tested appropriately with the newly developed or re-usable regression test cases.

Backtracking these things is only possible using reporting capability. The tool itself should have this feature to monitor and review the complete information of the test cases; information such as the number of tests executed, test case status, log files, priorities, the ability to capture the screens, etc.

It is beneficial for the automated regression testing tool to have visual reports to compliment to document the bugs and defects easily. A detailed view can help testers make any changes in the test cases if required and easily communicate an issue with the developer and the entire team.

With all those major points to consider, it is now easier for the business to select the right tool for their testing. Perhaps, if you are looking at a Regression Testing Automation Suite that is flexible, scalable and innovative, then Testsigma is the right one for you with screenshots and videos and error logs!

Testsigma: Why is it a perfect fit for Automated Regression Testing

Testsigma is a cloud-based Test Automation Ecosystem with all the essential elements required for automated regression testing.

Here are the few of what they can bring in to your plate:

• Automate Regression Tests Using Simple English
• A Simplified approach that lets everyone participate in automating regression testing.
• AI Creates Regression Test Plan With Affected Tests
• Automated Regression Tests That Auto Heal
• Reduces Feedback Time – Execute Multiple Tests In Parallel
• Continuous Integration To Run tests After Every New Build
• Comprehensive Reports to Determine Release Readiness

Testing made easy.

You can get started with Automated Regression Testing instantly with Testsigma with absolutely no programming knowledge is required.

For more details regarding the Automated Regression Testing Tool , sign up for a free trial !