In brief: Automating functional tests enables continuous verification that each feature meets requirements, while saving time and resources. When executed effectively, automation optimizes processes, eliminates human errors, and expands test coverage. This guide outlines what functional tests are and details best practices for successful automation.
In a digital world where user expectations are increasingly high and competition is fierce, the margin for technical error has become almost nonexistent. To remain competitive, businesses must leverage functional test automation to detect anomalies as early as possible and ensure a seamless user experience.
This article details how to approach this technological transition to ensure your customer journey proceeds exactly as planned, with speed and reliability.
What are functional tests?
Functional tests evaluate new features in software releases, mobile applications, or web applications, and involve testing each function of an application to ensure seamless operation.
Functional tests enable software publishers to deliver an excellent product to their user base and to enhance or maintain brand reputation.
It is significantly less expensive and less disruptive to rectify defects before a launch than after.
Benefits of Automating Your Functional Tests
Save Time and Resources
L’functional test automation frees your employees from handling simple tasks, delegating them to scripts and bots.
This enables a company to save time and money, as it does not need to pay employees to perform meticulous and repetitive tasks.
Functional test automation allows for the completion of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) significantly faster than manual testing. This leads to faster 'move to prod' / version deployments, resulting in smoother, bug-free applications.
Optimize Processes
With automated functional tests, you do not have to worry about whether tests are performed as efficiently as possible, thanks to automated tools.
This type of testing is also scalable, as you do not have to pay for new recruits each time your company intends to expand.
Eliminates Human Errors and Extends Test Coverage
Test automation completely eliminates the human error component, allowing developers to extend their test coverage almost instantly as needed, while collecting larger quantities of more accurate test data.
This is why automated testing is more or less the future of all software testing, whether it involves functional, performance, load, and/or other types of testing.
Classifications of Automated Tests
The automation of your functional tests will be based on the test type, and scripts will be written accordingly.
Functional Test Automation
Functional tests are performed to validate the business logic behind an application, confirming expected business functionalities.
Non-Functional Test Automation
Non-functional tests verify the non-business aspects of an application (e.g., security). These expectations can be constant or scaled as needed.
Different Approaches to Automated Functional Testing
Keyword-Driven Testing
Keyword-driven testing relies on the use of simple 'keywords' which precisely instruct functional testing tools on how to test the application in question.
These are commands that trigger specific events which are coded into the tools and scripts.
Data-Driven Testing
A data-driven approach involves storing data in external files instead of hardcoding them into test scripts.
The most common type of external file for storing this data is a spreadsheet, which can then be used to create charts and tables to conceptualize their contents.
Frequent Testing
The simplest form of automated functional testing is frequent testing, which adheres to the principle of executing tests as often as possible.
This methodology is compatible with various types of software testing, including performance testing and cross-browser testing. It merely dictates that tests should be executed with high frequency.
Naturally, executing tests frequently becomes significantly easier when utilizing automated tools.
The primary advantage of adopting a frequent testing methodology is the increased likelihood of early bug detection, which translates to more cost-effective and rapid resolution.
How to Successfully Automate Your Functional Tests?
1. Plan the Process
The initial step involves defining the parameters of your functional testing process. What is the scope? Which process stages will you automate? It is crucial to have concrete answers to these two questions before proceeding.
This stage also involves considering budget, expertise, and personnel to formulate a robust plan.
2. Select Your Automation Tool
With your plan established, it is time to consider the tools you intend to utilize. The plan will significantly inform this decision. The chosen tool must be perfectly suited for the tasks you will assign to it.
No-code tools are particularly advantageous, as any member of your team could utilize them to perform automated functional tests with minimal learning curve.
3. Design Your Test Framework
You have a plan and have selected your tools. The next step is to establish the framework within which all your tests will be conducted.
This involves outlining testing standards, defining the practices you will employ, and choosing between data-driven, keyword-driven, and frequent testing methodologies. Thoroughness at this stage can save considerable time on test maintenance down the line.
4. Configure the Test Environment
In this step, you will install the necessary hardware and software. You will also configure the test schedule, enabling your teams to plan accordingly.
5. Write the Test Script(s)
The scripts will be utilized to execute the tests themselves, so prior to commencing testing, ensure your scripts are prepared. They should be drafted in accordance with project requirements, as defined in steps 1 and 3.
6. Execute the Tests
This is the most straightforward step. All that is required here is to execute the tests precisely as planned.
7. Analyze the Results
The tests are complete, and now it is time to analyze the obtained results. The data will indicate the presence of any bugs, as well as whether additional tests are required.
In Summary
Functional testing is an essential stage in the software development lifecycle, and when automation is integrated into functional testing, each process proceeds more smoothly.
It addresses the most repetitive aspects of the testing cycle, ensuring they all perform with the same level of excellence. It eliminates the issue of human error while streamlining and enhancing the testing process.
Indeed, automation accelerates your production process, ensuring faster release cycles and reducing the likelihood of delays.
Do you require assistance with functional test automation?
Mr Suricate low-code solutions Mr Suricate helped countless companies drive innovation and accelerate their digital transformation. Our solutions address a wide range of use cases.
FAQ
What is functional testing?
It is a test that verifies a feature behaves according to requirements: the correct outcome for a given action. It validates the software's functionality from the user's perspective.
What are the advantages of automating functional tests?
Time and resource savings, optimized processes, the elimination of human errors, and expanded test coverage. Tests can be re-executed with each release without additional effort.
How to achieve successful functional test automation?
By initially targeting critical user journeys, keeping tests concise and maintainable, and integrating them into the development cycle. A no-code solution accelerates implementation and reduces maintenance.
Further Reading
To see the solution in action, check out our functional tests.
See also: 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Testing a Mobile App, Why Can Functional Test Automation Fail?, A Quick Guide to Testing Banking Apps and Websites, Managing data-testID Selectors: A Key Factor for Robust Automated Testing, and Test Campaign: Secure Your Deployments and Boost Your ROI.
