Overcoming the Biggest Hurdles in Enterprise Test Automation

According to a survey reported by the Gartner Peer Community, the most significant challenges to automated software testing deployment in organizations include struggles with implementation (36%), automation skill gaps (34%), and high upfront costs (34%). Other reported challenges include hard-to-define ROI (23%), lack of trust in automation tools/vendors (21%), product complexities making it hard to automate testing (19%), and high maintenance costs (16%). Additionally, challenges related to lack of executive buy-in (7%), cybersecurity problems (6%), and lack of employee buy-in (4%) were also mentioned
However, staying ahead in this fast-paced environment presents significant challenges.

The complexity of software systems often slows down the delivery process, especially when testing is heavily reliant on manual methods. For large-scale businesses with intricate structures, automated software testing tools are essential to meet the demands of modern delivery schedules.

Despite the benefits of test automation, enterprises often face significant challenges in implementing it effectively. Below are some common obstacles encountered during the automation of enterprise applications and strategies to address them.

1. Difficulty in Selecting the Right Automated Software Testing Tools For organizations that manage testing across APIs, SAP, mainframes, web, and mobile platforms, selecting a suitable software testing tool is critical. The wide range of available automated software testing tools makes this choice challenging, as organizations must consider factors such as specific testing needs, tool compatibility with various technology platforms, ease of integration, and scalability.

To choose the right software testing tool, businesses should:

• Evaluate the types of automated software testing tools available and consider custom frameworks tailored to their specific needs.
• Assess the skills and experience of their team members, opting for codeless automated software testing tools when necessary. For example, the Qyrus Platform is a codeless solution trusted by over various companies, designed to meet scalability and ROI requirements.
• Use a checklist to ensure the chosen software testing tool meets all testing requirements and expectations.

1. Test Maintenance Challenges As software applications evolve and undergo updates, maintaining test cases becomes increasingly difficult. Test maintenance involves updating and modifying test scripts, data, and environments to align with application changes. Several factors contribute to these challenges, including:

-Test Data and Environment Management: Enterprise applications often require complex datasets for testing. Managing this data across multiple test cases can be difficult, especially when considering data dependencies or variations. Additionally, maintaining multiple test environments can be resource-intensive.
-Test Script Maintenance: Scripts written in automation frameworks or languages need regular updates to reflect application changes. Outdated scripts can lead to inaccurate test results, undermining the effectiveness of testing.

To address these challenges, enterprises can:

• Utilize specialized tools or frameworks for test data management, such as Tricentis QTest or IBM ETM, which streamline data creation and management.
• Implement a continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipeline to automate the deployment and maintenance of test environments.

1. Identifying Which Tests to Automate Enterprise software often features complex functionalities and workflows that require experienced QA professionals for manual testing. Automated software testing tools may lack the insight needed for these scenarios, making it crucial to select the right tests for automation.

Businesses can optimize their testing strategies by automating:

• High-value, business-critical tests: Such as smoke, sanity, and regression tests, to ensure seamless app functionality.
• High-volume, repeatable, or tedious tests: Such as cross-browser/OS testing and batch testing, to save time and ensure consistent execution.
• Frequently used functionalities: To mitigate the risk of regression issues and ensure that updates do not affect existing functionality.

1. Availability of Skills and Resources Implementing automated software testing tools in enterprise environments requires skilled professionals with expertise in tools, frameworks, scripting languages, and testing methodologies. Since not all testers have these skills, and hiring or training individuals can be challenging, enterprises need effective strategies to address resource gaps.

Possible strategies include:

• Skills Assessment and Training: Conduct skills assessments to identify gaps and provide training programs to upskill existing team members in automated software testing tools and frameworks. -Testing Centers of Excellence (CoE): Establishing a CoE in cost-effective locations can help reduce expenses while maintaining product quality. A CoE can offer specialized knowledge, develop automation frameworks, provide training, and promote collaboration among automation practitioners.

Strategic Approach to Test Automation Challenges
Automated software testing tools hold significant potential for enterprises to streamline their software development and testing processes. However, implementing test automation in complex enterprise environments comes with challenges. By adopting a strategic and well-executed approach, businesses can overcome these obstacles, leading to greater productivity.

Engaging with a specialized testing service provider, such as Quinnox, can provide valuable insights and best practices for successful test automation. With external support, enterprises can enhance productivity and deliver high-quality software products to meet market demands.

Contact our Expert Now