Usually, developers have to work on new features consistently to keep users happy. Testers also have to test the product every time a new feature is added — to ensure that the new feature is working AND that it does not damage any of the existing features — every single one of them. This entire operation has to be accomplished within a few days.
Naturally, manual testing is not an option in this widespread scenario. This article will explore why automation testing is essential to agile development.
How does Automation Testing Fit Into Agile?
Automation testing in Agile allows for QAs to create test cases that will run automatically every time new code is pushed to the code repository for a specific application. This practice is called Continuous Testing in DevOps and ensures that new code is bug-free before it hits the production environment.
Learn more about CI/CD here.
Automation testing in Agile is implemented via several tools and frameworks such as Selenium and Cypress. Implementation of CI/CD also requires a specific set of tools, namely Jenkins, Travis CI, TeamCity, Bamboo, CircleCI, Azure Pipelines, etc.
Using these tools, QAs can develop test cases in alignment with the nature and need of the application at hand. Once crafted, these test cases are run automatically on each piece of code added to the existing application. The tests verify that each line of code is bug-free and that newly created code does not damage or interfere with the existing features (via regression testing).
Additionally, QAs require access to multiple real devices, browsers, and operating systems in order to run their tests. Remember that users will access any software via a massive range of device-browser-OS combinations. To stand a chance of success, the software must function perfectly in all these combinations (or as many as possible).
Once again, running cross browser tests manually on such a vast number of devices is out of the question. Automation is the only recourse to ensure cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility.
Find a cloud Selenium grid tailored for automation testing in Agile. It should also offer integrations with the most popular CI/CD tools to execute DevOps-aligned testing practices. The good ones offer automation via other frameworks too, like Cypress.
Read More: Automation Best Practices to Follow
Automation Testing is at the center of Agile development. Without automation testing, the speed required to actually make development “agile” cannot be brought into the picture. Automation makes life easier for devs and testers, creates better software, and keeps users happy.
