Test Automation Life Cycle

Various Stages involved are

• Feasibility Analysis
• Test Plan
• Test Design
• Test Environment Set Up
• Script Generation
• Test Execution
• Defect Analysis and Fixing
• Cost involved

Automation Feasibility Analysis

Requirements and expectations should be set clear. Things like

• How and what is to be automated
• Which all modules can be automated
• Identify the test cases that cannot be automated due to tool limitations and / or complexity of the functionality
• Analyse the applicability of a suitable tool to carry out automation
• Rough estimate of the size, effort and cost involved
• Review of feasibility analysis report

It should be decided in the beginning itself to prevent any confusion after the automation process has been flagged off. This stage hence requires great attention.

Plan and Design

• Analyse the manual steps from automation standpoint
• Identify frame works
• Analyse the frame works for their pros and cons
• Finalise a framework
• Categorise scripts based on functionality
• Identify the functionality to be parameterised
• prepare the detailed cost, size and effort estimate
• Review of Test Plan by client

Test Environment Set up

Test team may not be involved in this aspect if the development team provides the test environment in which case test team is required to check the readiness of the given environment.

• Understand the required architecture, Environment -set up
• prepare an Environment check list
• Prepare hardware and software requirements
• Finalise the connectivity requirements
• Set up Test Environment

Automation Script Generation

The project team will review the test plan and obtain clarifications and then decide upon the type of automation to be sued(capture/playback, scripting, etc)

• Create test scenarios
• Identify re-usable test scenarios
• Group common test cases together
• Finalise the test Scripts

Test Execution

• Perform the testing as per the test plan
• Perform the batch test wherever necessary
• Update the status in status report
• Log the defects

Defect Analysis and Fixing

• Analyse the severity and priority of the defect
• Fix the defects
• Document the defect along with the solution

Cost involved in automation

Fixed cost

• Feasibility analysis cost
• Tool Selection and Acquisition cost
• Hiring or training the resources
• Time in learning the application/business process
• Proof of concept
• Test suite documentation effort

Variable cost

• Script maintenance and documentations cost
• Automated test infrastructure maintenance cost