What I learnt from the course – “Setting a foundation for successful test automation”

Chapter 1 – Designing a Test Automation Strategy:

• Understand the core concept that automation is essentially a software development project.
• Explore various goals for test automation, such as reducing regression test cycles, managing technical debt, and enabling continuous testing.
• Delve into considerations for crafting a successful strategy, focusing on the “Who” (roles involved), “How” (selecting tests, tools, and execution methods), and strategic options available.

Chapter 2 – Creating a Culture for Test Automation Success:

• Recognize the significance of fostering a culture that supports test automation goals.
• Identify the key pillars for creating a successful automation culture, including the roles of product owners, developers, testers, and automation engineers.
• Understand the crucial contributions each stakeholder makes to the success of test automation initiatives.

Chapter 3 – Developing for Test Automatability:

• Explore strategies for developing applications with test automatability in mind.
• Dive into the Test Pyramid concept, understanding the significance of unit, service, and UI level testing.
• Uncover techniques such as Code Seams and UI element locators to facilitate effective test automation development.

Chapter 4 – Tooling for Test Automation:

• Navigate through the decision-making process before selecting automation tools.
• Differentiate between no-code and coded solutions, considering the intended users and the flexibility each solution offers.
• Understand the bare minimum requirements for test automation, including interaction, validation, and reporting.

Chapter 5 – Future-Proofing Your Test Automation Efforts:

• Discover strategies such as running tests in parallel to reduce execution time.
• Learn the importance of clean coding practices for the long-term maintenance and extension of automation projects.
• Explore various design patterns suitable for test automation projects.

Chapter 6 – Scaling Your Test Automation:

• Address challenges related to scaling test automation efforts in multiple environments.
• Explore solutions such as containerization and cloud-based approaches for cross-browser testing and handling multiple devices.
• Make informed decisions regarding in-house device farms versus cloud-based services for native mobile applications.

Chapter 7 – Measuring the Value of Your Test Automation:

• Learn how to measure the success of test automation through metrics such as shortened regression cycles, fast and frequent feedback, faster development time, and scalability.

Summary:

• Define clear goals and strategies for effective test automation.
• Ensure organizational culture supports test automation initiatives.
• Develop products in a way that facilitates easy integration with test automation.
• Choose appropriate tools aligned with team and business goals.
• Understand and implement scaling strategies for successful test automation.
• Set realistic goals for measuring the value and impact of test automation efforts.

I would recommend this course to any test engineer to gain a solid foundation in test automation and equip themselves with the skills needed for successful implementation in real-world scenarios.

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