Test Automation Phases

The Test Automation can be basically split into 5 phases:

· Initiation

· Planning

· Design

· Execution

· Closure

The success of a Automation Test Suite depends absolutely on the Test Initiation and Planning.

Initiation:

· The Decision to go for Automation – Need Analysis

· Overcoming False Expectations – Teaching the Client

· Understand Benefits Of Automation

· Understand the Return on Investment

· System Study \ Understanding the Application

· Define Scope – Functional, Types Of Test, Test Coverage

· Tool Evaluation \ Tool selection

· Proof Of Concept (POC)

· Effort Estimation

· Client Discussions – Tool Evaluation and POC

· Test Automation Contract Sign Off

Planning:

· Test Tool Acquisition

· Team Formation

· Zeroing on Type of Test Management

· Defect Reporting Architecture

· Test Run Reporting Architecture (Study of Business Scenarios \ Test Cases) or (Study of Feature \ Module) (Freezing the Scenarios \ Test Cases) or (Functional Decomposition)

· Test Automation Frame Work

· Test Automation Design Specification Document (Frame Works, Architecture, Approach, Test Conditions, Coding Guide Lines, Naming convections, Test Design Life Cycle)

· Test Automation Strategy

· Preparation of Project Plan

· Client Review – Test Automation strategy, Test Automation Design Specification Document, Project Plan

· Approved – Test Automation strategy, Test Automation Design Specification Document, Project Plan

· Test Environment Setup

Design:

· General Settings setup, Test Setting Setup

· Object Identification Setup, Customizing Objects

· Recording Modes, Recording Levels, Active Screen recording Levels

· Data Sheet Design

· Recording Test Scenarios \ Functionality (Minimum process record)

· Adding to Object Repository, Creating Object Repository Files

· Parameterization of Data

· Enhancement Of Scripts

· Backend Data Base Verifications

· Addition of Functionalities, Methods, Logic

· Adding Custom Libraries and Use of External Scripts

· Design of Test Report \ Results

· Design of Bug Reporting – Defect Tracking Mechanisms

· Unit Test of Test Scripts using Trial Test Data

· Debugging of Unit Tests based upon generated Results

· Script Review and Version Control (Internal Review & Client Review)

· Daily, Weekly Status Report – Client Updates

Execution (Trial Run for Freezing of Scripts):

· Mapping Generated Tests to High Level Scenarios (Creation Of Test Sets)

· Test Data Preparation

· Setting Up the Test Environment – Hardware

· Configuring the Application Under Test (AUT)

· Setting Up the Test Environment – Software – Manual & Automated

· Trial Runs on Test Sets (80% of Coverage)

· Analysis Of Test Results

· Functional

· Test Result – Pass \ Fail

· Test Flow

· Test Data

· Object Level Validations

· Debugging Of Tests based upon Test Results

· Functional

· Logical

· Conditions and Controllers

· Reports and Results

· Test Script – Program Code

· Daily, Weekly Status Report – Client Updates on Test Runs

· Freezing of Tests and Test Data

· Review of Tests, Test Data, Results \ Reports (Internal Review & Client Review)

· Delivery of Tests and Test Data to Test Server, Test Management Tool, Version Control and Back Up

Closure:

Final Test Automation Check List (Scope vs. Coverage)

Test summary Report

Test Deliverables:

o Test Automation Strategy

o Test Automation Design Specification Document

o Project Plan

o Process Manuals (Test Manual, Data Design Manuals)

o Sample Test Data (Used for Debugging Scripts)

o Freezed Tests

o Freezed Test Data (Live)

Project Debrief

Project Summary Report