When automation overshadows the importance of testing

In today’s digital age, automation has become a buzzword that has changed the way businesses operate. It helps organizations keep up with the ever-increasing demand for products and services by streamlining processes and improving efficiency. This is especially true for software development, where testing plays a crucial role. Many testing vendors are promoting “testautomation”. However, companies should not let automation overshadow the importance of testing.

Many companies jump to implement test automation as soon as possible, without mastering manual work. Testing is an essential step in identifying defects. Skipping this step may result in the automation of faulty or inadequate processes, leading to more issues than solutions.

Furthermore, automation is not a one-time solution. As the product evolves, so does the automation process. This requires continuous maintenance and updates. Without proper understanding of the manual processes and its results, automating the testing process becomes challenging.

The benefits of automation in testing are numerous. It improves accuracy and speeds up the testing process, for example for setting up testdata or datamining results. However, it is essential to remember that automation should be implemented as a complementary tool, not a replacement for manual work.

It is essential to remember that automation should be implemented as a complementary tool, not a replacement for manual work.

Another important consideration when it comes to automation is the cost. Implementing automation requires significant upfront investment in tools and resources, which may not be feasible for small businesses. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the essential processes to be automated, ensuring that the investment provides the desired results.

In conclusion, automation is a valuable tool for businesses to streamline processes and improve efficiency, including testing. However, companies should not overlook the importance of manual work, especially when it comes to testing. A solid foundation of testing is essential. Companies should approach automation as a complementary tool and invest in it only when it makes sense for the business.

About Anamata

Anamata helps companies with setting up Quality processes From The Heart. We help setting up proper fundamentals in software testing, automation, quality awareness and governance. We’ve extended these fundamentals with in-depth knowledge on the Pega platform as wel as on the Mendix platform. Interested? Contact us.

Michel Kraaij - van den Berg
Michel Kraaij - van den Berg