Test automation2023-08-07T14:50:05+00:00

Test automation

You can have your cake and eat it when you deploy test automation along with manual testing for large-scale projects. It’s the best way to balance rigour with speed and value from your testing budget.

Pragmatic automation

Test automation can be a great solution to reducing time to market when you release new features and functionality. Automation is an important tool in the QA workbench, but it can’t do everything. At Digivante we take a pragmatic approach to test automation: we’re objective about where to automate your testing, based on where it will save you time and money.

Automate everything?

It’s a myth that automating everything is the best value testing approach, despite what many people say. If you automate the wrong tests, it will cost you more – not just in repeat testing and redevelopment at a later date but potentially in lost revenue and customer approval due to glitchy or non-functioning websites and apps.

At Digivante we choose the right type of test for the right time in your project, for the best overall outcome. We work with you to define the appropriate moments for test automation, complemented by manual or crowdsourced testing where it delivers better value and results.

For example, testing multiple cases for integrations with payment and stock management systems is usually a great opportunity for automation.

Digivante’s test automation delivers

ROI

At Digivante we focus on using automation in context of your best possible ROI. We only automate where it will save you time and money.

Clarity

We run every test case manually first to find out which pass and which fail. Only those that consistently pass manual testing are considered for automation, giving you confidence in those test cases.

Single interface

The Digivante testing portal gives a single interface to action both test automation and community testing, so you have fast access to data-driven insights for informed decision-making.

Ready to learn more about test automation with Digivante?

If you’re interested in reaping the advantages of Digivante’s practical and reliable approach to assist you in your automation journey, we’re here to have a conversation. Schedule a demo with one of our experts to explore how we can support you.

How Digivante test automation works

At Digivante we start by running every test manually, to ensure the test case works. Then we record all the actions to build the skeleton of the code. It’s a systematic approach to make sure nothing’s missed.

Working with Digivante gives you cover whilst you’re building your test automations: you can carry out manual testing with our test community throughout, so there are no gaps or pauses in your development.

We devise a plan with your team to iteratively grow the test automation coverage, as they add new scenarios. We can execute your automated test suite manually, through scheduling or using our suite of Digivante APIs.

Using our portal or the APIs, you can check test status and see your results any time. We provide technical information for truly automated tests, plus in-depth results with images and videos for our crowd-sourced testing services.

Automation Q&A. Your key questions answered.

How do I prevent automation test environment deterioration?2022-01-06T10:40:31+00:00

We recommend only automating stable areas that are easy to maintain.

Should I track what’s being automated and what isn’t?2022-01-06T10:42:36+00:00

Yes. As well as knowing what’s being automated, you need to know the coverage achieved. That way you can identify what you need to test by other means.

Should I keep my automation resources separate from the rest of QA?2022-01-06T10:41:19+00:00

No. We recommend fully integrating them with the whole QA team. Ideally, use the same team for automation and crowd testing, so they’re governed by one QA process.

Why should I outsource testing when I have a QA team in house?2022-01-06T10:16:49+00:00

Outsourcing your testing can bring economies of scale, efficiency and speed. It gives you access to a large variety of testing techniques and resources. If you have a small internal team you may not be able to do the breadth or depth of testing you really need before releasing a digital product. Outsourcing your test may save you money because you can apply the right type of testing at exactly the time you need it, without holding up development. You may be able to perform the testing earlier in the software development lifecycle too. Recruiting experienced testers can be hard. Outsourcing your testing takes that headache away.

Does Digivante just do crowdtesting?2022-01-06T10:27:23+00:00

No. We use crowdsourced testing for some services, like exploratory testing, executing test cases and accessibility testing. We combine human testing with automated testing, depending on the specific need. But we also support clients with usability testing, test strategy and planning through our team augmentation service. And we provide people to augment client teams, both short-term and long-term.

Should I automate everything?2022-01-06T10:38:52+00:00

No. Only automate stable entities with repeatable actions. Choose cases where there isn’t much change, to avoid higher maintenance costs and gaps in automation coverage.

Our web development partner handles all our testing – why do I need to consider a separate testing provider?2022-01-06T10:12:50+00:00

There’s a risk when you allow developers to ‘mark their own homework’. A fresh set of eyes will catch errors that the web developers won’t see. Independent testing gives you peace of mind that nothing’s been overlooked or hidden.

What testing capabilities do you cover?2022-01-06T10:30:35+00:00

Our testing capabilities are listed here. We cover a broad range including regression testing, accessibility testing, test automation, usability testing and more. We provide consultancy, service management and team augmentation. We deliver crowdtesting through our global Digivante professional tester community.

We have hundreds of issues in backlog – our dev team couldn’t cope with any more2022-01-06T10:10:22+00:00

An overstretched development team can be prone to making more mistakes, which incur costs and lead to even more testing. In our approach to QA, we seek to improve your capacity for dealing with software issues. The test cases we write are clear and simple to follow, even for non-tech people, so it’s easier to prioritise issues and deal with them quickly.

Should I focus my resources purely on automating?2022-01-06T10:38:16+00:00

Automation is just one weapon in the QA armory. We recommend a nuanced approach: supplement automated testing with other QA approaches including planning, manual and crowd testing, user and accessibility testing. We recommend looking at the whole, not just focusing on automation alone.

I’ve tried automation and failed. How can Digivante do it any better?2022-01-06T10:44:38+00:00

Triage is key. It’s one of our key strengths. We look at failed builds then run any failed automation test cases in our community, clearly highlighting false positives/negatives and explaining issues. Then you can prioritise effective fixes.

I have a consultant building automation for me so why would I need to use an outsourced testing company?2022-01-06T10:44:03+00:00

It depends how thorough the consultant can be. Just one person can’t usually do it all! At Digivante we’re transparent on the framework we use and how we build the scripts. We make clear which tests are automated, crowd or manual. We provide clear documentation and training for internal staff.

Is automation suitable for centre or shift right testing related to weekly or monthly releases?2022-01-06T10:35:07+00:00

No. We think automation brings benefits specifically in unit testing, integration and where continuous improvement/ continuous development (CI/CD) is used.

My test automation framework is getting overengineered. How should I identify when to automate and when not to?2022-01-06T10:43:27+00:00

At Digivante we create the very best manual test cases and coverage. They form the building blocks for good automation. These will show clearly whether it’s beneficial to automate or not.

You might also be interested in…

Team augmentation

Digivante’s QA specialists bring years of experience when you need to augment your existing team. Embed our people and gain access to the full breadth of our capabilities for regression testing or any other appropriate service for your project.

Regression testing

Digivante offers fast, thorough, good-value regression testing executed at scale by our professional community of testers. We use test automation where it adds value, delivering maximum value with minimum delay.

Post-release testing

Digivante has a wealth of testers in our large QA community. We can run testing that would take you days in just a few hours, so you can fix any unforeseen issues before they impact customer experience and revenue.

Book a demo of Digivante’s test automation service

Talk to us if you’d like to experience the benefits of Digivante’s pragmatic and trusted approach to help you on your path to automation. Book a demo with one of our experts.