As the use of QA Automation continues to grow, the need for a strong framework is more essential than ever! Company demands on software QA are increasing exponentially with the development of new languages, platforms, applications and websites. Implementing QA Automation helps reduce the stress on the QA team, speed up delivery and ensure a quality product is released.
Increasing productivity and helping enterprises get their products to the client faster with less risk is the main goal while also ensuring the end user has the best experience possible.
However, if the framework is not built properly it can cause problems with the automation process.
To ensure that doesn’t happen there are a few key topics to address.
Let’s start with “What is a QA Automation Framework?”
Think of a house that’s being built. The framework is the foundation that keeps everything in place. The more solid the foundation the more stable the house, the same can be said of test automation, the more solid the framework the more stable the testing suite will be and the more efficiently it will run.
If the framework structure is poorly organized and not well thought-out, it will break down over time and result in a lot of maintenance.
The goals of the automation framework need to be clear from the beginning.
- Expandability and Organisation of Test and Modules.
- A naming convention defined and adhered to by the project team
- Modules and methods need to be reusable in multiple test cases.
- Modules and methods need to be organized in logical libraries and file structures.
- The recording modules, user code and commonly used methods need to be grouped separately and logically.
For example, don’t store SQL queries, custom loops and methods in the same file or folder.
The key to organizing the framework is to group similar reusable items in common areas.
For example, place all the login information or navigation in a similar place so when engineers roll onto a project, they can find what they need with ease without having to search through countless folders to find a module that already exists.
This will help avoid duplicate code or recording modules. This might seem like common sense, but it can happen if engineers don’t know where to find the existing code.
Once a good framework is established it will become almost second nature to use and there will be a logical path on how to expand it.
A good framework architect will know how to logically separate tests into their appropriate folder structure that can easily be reused.
If the standards are maintained the framework will remain solid as the project evolves and grows.
When to build a framework?
Ideally, it is best to build the framework when first installing and configuring the QA Automation tool of choice. This ensures a solid foundation is built, and the structure can be set in place from the time the first module is created.
However, if a framework has not been clearly defined it can still be rectified, but it will take more time to resolve.
The best way to achieve a good and adaptable framework is to start it early.
Once an automation framework is in place it will start to show ROI in days.
Engineers will become more efficient and the automation throughput will increase.
This helps in every aspect, as developers can roll out new code faster and testing can be expanded upon at a continuous pace. A well-built framework is a happy framework and once it’s set into motion it will be easier to maintain and grow as the business grows and evolves.
Automation is key to enabling companies to adapt and adopt new technologies faster. A lot of companies spend time revolving instead of evolving their QA practices. CelticQA Solutions can guide you through this journey so your efforts and time produce output that shorten the testing life cycle and set you up for continued expansion.
Contact us at info@celticqa.com for further information
written by Joseph Catron
Lead Automation Engineer and Automation Architect
CelticQA Solutions
