An approach to the development and implementation of automated tests for an application-in-test depends on numerous factors.

A size and complexity of an application, a structure of a project team, instantly appearing deadlines, requirements for security, and many other details define the most suitable strategy.

Keeping at least a part of this in mind, many QA teams follow the most popular approach to test automation.

Further, we will describe some working strategies that can be helpful for any project that requires automation.

Use end-to-end tests for the “happy path” only

End-to-end tests are quite slow, in comparison with other forms of automated testing, and require a lot of attention during long-term technical maintenance.

Such tests have a “bad reputation” since testers try to shove complete testing coverage into them. Such actions result in low performance and difficulties that prevent smooth and proper testing.

The ability to use end-to-end tests and a strategy of using a minimum number of mutual areas will ensure a tester that software works smoothly and will require minimum time for technical maintenance in the future.

Use unit, functional, and API tests more frequently

Such types of tests are “smaller” and faster than end-to-end tests and this automatically makes them the best choice for qualitative coverage.

They help to cover both unhappy and happy paths on small parts of software code, so we will worry less about the stability of maintenance of a product that is being developed.

A well-designed combination of using functional testing, unit testing, and API testing will help to maintain proper quality even working with the most complex functional solutions.

Implement other forms of software testing if possible

Taking into account the essence of an application-in-in-test and the client’s business requirements, we should analyze other tools and capabilities of automation if there is a need for more specialized testing.

For example, if your product is made to be used during maximum load, you can add both automated performance and load testing scripts.

One more example is using contract testing of microservices that interact through API.

Conclusion

Any automated tester, both an expert and a newbie, can be really shocked when he/she is asked to join a new project (for example, after getting a job in QA consulting companies).

How can he/she define what they should start with, what to focus on, to make testing as efficient as possible?

[highlight dark=”no”]A great rule is always and under any conditions start from primary business requirements.[/highlight]

Talk to other team members, conduct a meeting, to define what is crucial for a client, and only then base your plan on these high-priority segments of testing.

It’s impossible to test everything, especially if a product is constantly being developed.

Search for areas to work on instead of diving into work and you will definitely receive technically stable and reliable automation.