Over the last decade or so, automation testing has brought about a huge shift in our approach to software testing. QA professionals have been able to successfully witness enhanced test efficiency and increased test coverage, as well as new possibilities in test execution that never existed with manual testing. In fact, the advent of automation testing has catapulted the field of software QA to all new standards. This has also paved the way for breakthrough concepts like Agile and DevOps to be successfully implemented to the benefit of QA teams and the software development firm in general.

Also, it was only after the introduction of automation with the help of automation testing tools that it was possible for software development firms to release new versions and updates of software at frequent intervals.

Discover QARA Enterprise – a test automation tool designed for achieving the highest standards of testing goals and offers every feature that QA teams would need today, along with advanced test management features. It is a test automation tool that QA professionals can rely on as they gear up to evolve their approach to meet the trends in near future.

Talking about trends, let’s look at the top 5 trends that will define the future of automation testing.

1] Use of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics:

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is the biggest buzz word in the world of technology right now, and robotics is just an extension of it. When it comes to testing the features of a software or an app that involve the user experience, the AI can replace real users for a more comprehensive yet systematic approach to testing. This can be accomplished with QA automation tools.

QARA Enterprise is a test automation tool that has already introduced AI and machine learning technology in its approach to testing, which reduces the need for human intervention. Using AI also helps the QA team identify the possible risks involved and prevent their occurrence. What’s more, manual testing comes with its own share of errors and inaccuracies that can be easily prevented when using an AI-based test automation tool.

Interestingly, the more and more involvement of AI based automation testing tools have also paved the way for Robotic Process Automation (RPA) which will see robots assuming control to ensure the software development firms achieve the highest possible quality standards.

2] Adoption of the Zero Coding Platform:

A view of the Zero Coding framework of QARA Enterprise

The zero coding test automation tool is already big right now and the trend is here to stay. After all, one of the biggest advantages of the zero coding platform is that it reduces the learning curve and the time taken by resources to learn automation. Hence, with a zero coding platform, organizations can save the time required to train the resources in complex programming, and cut straight to implementation. Among other benefits, a zero coding platform saves the time required in writing complex codes, and can help organizations work successfully with lean QA teams.

3] Implementation of Agile:

Source: https://bit.ly/2QIp1C0

Agile methodology is one of the approaches that have re-defined the way software development and QA teams function. Concepts like continuous testing and continuous improvement, are all gifts of the Agile approach, that have been possible to implement with automation testing tools. QARA Enterprise, as well as its soon-to-be-launched web version, are designed to boost productivity in an agile-iterative product development lifecycle.

Agile is emerging as one of the biggest trends, because it can bring several benefits to an organization, and the key benefits are as follows:

• Reduction of costs
• Increased efficiency & productivity
• Detection of bugs in the early stages of the product lifecycle
• Attaining the highest levels of product quality standards
• Faster time to market

When an organization consistently creates products with high product quality, it helps in creating brand value and creates a positive brand/product impression in the minds of the current as well as potential users.

4] New Horizons for Big Data Testing:

Source: https://bit.ly/2OaK8Ll

Data that is multiplying exponentially, is the truth of our times, and there is nothing much that enterprises can do, other than coming up with innovative approaches to deal with this large volume of data. Ever wondered where all of the data comes from? The new age software comes with multiple touchpoints that result in the creation of enormous volumes of data.

You need advanced technology to handle this data. While you have advanced enterprise search tools to search, analyze and derive insights from this data, you need new age test automation tools to test this data at lightning speed. Big data testing is the future, as the testing of the new volumes of data will be imperative for the integrity, compatibility, and validity of data across the software development lifecycle. QARA Enterprise is a test automation tool for the future as it is designed for the Agile approach and is powered by AI and machine learning to minimize human intervention and increase the efficiency of the test process.

It also has two distinct features to increase the speed of testing and achieve more in less time…

a] Record n Playback

The users of QARA Enterprise just need to install the recording extension which facilitates easy recording by clicking on the record button. It records all the activities that are to be tested, and saves the recorded test case steps automatically in the QARA Enterprise cases. This can be easily retrieved and run for future executions. Given below is the screenshot:

Source: https://bit.ly/2OaK8Ll

b] Parametrization of Test Cases

Parametrization is a feature that works best for test projects that require a large number of cases tested using the same steps. With this feature, QA professionals are no longer required to spend time and effort accumulating data sets for executing such test cases. The values saved in QARA Enterprise's global and local test data can be used to run test cases multiple times, without duplication of efforts. The screenshot below depicts this:

5] Increased Prevalence of IoT Testing:

Source: https://bit.ly/2rmb8hV

With the increased prevalence of embedded software in devices, the successful operation of a device is ultimately defined by the functioning of the software that is embedded in it. This is what the Internet of Things (IoT) is all about, and this is just the beginning. IoT testing will be more prevalent as more and more devices come with embedded software, and this is a trend that is surely something to look forward to.

Conclusion:

So, you see that the future has a lot in store for automation testing. Looking back, one can safely conclude that all of this would never have been possible without the gift of QA automation tools to the world of software testing. After all, no one can imagine all this being possible with manual testing alone, isn’t it? Do you feel there are other big trends that should find its place on this list? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.