What to Consider to Choose the Right Automation Tool?
1. Verify its Cost-effectiveness
Cost plays a crucial role while using any automation tool. The product price and the potential expenses like maintenance or upgrades, manpower must be considered. Additionally, it will be practical to buy a tool that does not require you to spend more time learning how to use it. Also, buying a tool that permits cloud hosting can reduce your expenses still further.
Also Read 7 Remarkable Features of Automated Testing
2. Be Clear About Your Project Requirements
The first step to take before you choose an automation tool is to know what you wish to achieve with that tool. Here are some questions to address:
(a)Do you want to test your web, mobile, or desktop app?
(b) What mobile operating systems do you want to test your mobile app for?
(c) If desktop app, then what are the operating systems you need to test?
Once these questions are clear, you will know how to choose the right tool. Ascertain whether you need cross-device or cross-browser testing.
3. Check the Reporting Features
Another vital feature to look for is the reporting feature such as:
(a) If the tool provides screenshots for failed steps.
(b) Feature to display the time taken for running the test steps and test cases.
(c) Look for a tool that records and logs report results automatically,
All this makes it easy for you to manage the testing process.
4. Is it Easily Maintainable?
Select a tool that will not increase your maintenance costs. The best way to check if your tool is suitable is to experiment by automating a few test cases for your application. The right tool will make maintenance easy with the generation of modular test cases. This will enable you to reuse and amend test steps as you require. Such a tool will also provide details of failure logs, making it easy for you to monitor script errors and rectify them.
Right Automation Tool
5. A tool with Coding or a Codeless Tool?
Yet another vital pointer to keep in mind is whether you need a codeless automation tool or a tool that needs coding. You could go with a codeless automation tool that does not require a skilled person to conduct the testing. A tester without prior programming knowledge can easily operate the tool. On the other hand, if you have skilled programmers in your team, you could choose an automation tool matching the programming skills of your personnel. Ideally, you should go for a tool that lets anyone from your QA team run the tests easily and effectively, even if they do not possess the technical skills.
Right Automation Tool
6. Verify the Scope of Testing
It is better to select a tool that supports functional, unit, and load testing. As your business evolves, your testing needs may change. So, you will be better off with a tool that provides wider testing support. This is a better option than getting add-ons for more features, which may not be economical for your business.
- Right Automation Tool Compatibility Ideally, you need to get a tool suitable for all the platforms and applications your company uses. This is important as some tools may be suitable for only specific platforms. You also have to consider the possibility of more platform changes as your business expands.
8. Is it Reusable?
Acquire a tool that lets you use your test steps again for different scenarios. In these times of high-level competition, you cannot afford to waste your time and energy on creating codes for every test. So, it is prudent to obtain a tool that prevents the repetition of tasks and helps you be more efficient and productive.
9. Look for Data-driven Testing Support
Many organizations need to conduct testing for various types of data from multiple sources. The tool you choose should be capable of taking in data from excel worksheets, XML files, or databases like Oracle and SQL Server.
Automating your testing goes a long way to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of your software product. Therefore, it is wise not to hurry through the process of tool selection. Not every automating tool available in the market may suit your unique requirements. Spend time assessing different tools before making a decision.
Making a list of the features and capabilities you want beforehand will make you choose the right automation tool easier. Apart from technical features, you should ensure you will get 24×7 support in case you run into trouble. The tool should be simple enough for even a non-technical project member to understand and operate. All these know-how on automation tools should help you select one that improves your testing efficiency, enabling you to deliver a high-quality software product.
This blog is originally Published at TestGrid
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