Here, I will explain in detail the seven most important steps to become a test automation engineer. So, all those looking to switch careers to automation testing should be aware of all of this.
1. Don’t neglect manual testing
While I understand that companies are moving to no-code automation testing tools, to reach expert level and keep up with the competition of industry automation test engineers, it is important to focus on manual testing concepts initially.
First, I want to emphasize the fact that both manual and automated testing are used. An article on when to use manual testing and when to use automated testing can help you understand the difference.
Once you grasp the differences, you will understand that automated testing is definitely a replacement for manual testing, but only to a certain extent. So, you cannot avoid coding.
It is very clear that automated testing is for experienced manual testers.
2. Possess excellent technical programming skills
Most new testers ask me:
"Can I learn automated testing without programming skills?"
"Do you need coding skills to learn automated testing?"
Most people who come up with the idea of moving to automated testing want to skip the coding part. Either they have no programming knowledge, or they hate coding.
But, as I said earlier, one needs to be very proficient in manual testing skills to be a good automation test engineer in order to achieve a long-term career in the software testing industry.
If you are new to the testing industry, you need to know the following programming languages:
C / C ++、Java、SQL、Python、Perl、XML、HTML、CSS
Here are the technical skills that a manual tester should acquire to become a great automation test engineer:
Test architecture, test design, performance testing, configuration management, manual testing agility and interaction, communication between teams, troubleshooting, agile, evOps and continuous delivery.
The combination of all these skills can help you to automate testing easily and smoothly.
3. Know the application
When you go to the doctor, the doctor will need to provide complete information about your past and existing health problems, old medical prescriptions, etc. Only then can your doctor learn about your new health problems and symptoms. The same is true for automation test engineers. Automation test engineers need to understand the internal and external testing of software applications.
Common application details that every automation tester needs to be aware of are:
Which programming languages were used while developing the application?
What platform is the application built on?
What databases are involved?
Are there any web services/APIs connected to different parts of the system? How about it?
What is the goal of the owner who developed this application?
What are the functions and features of the application under development?
Has manual testing been performed on this application?
How many manual hours were spent on this application testing?
Are there any critical issues or unresolved bugs?
What is the estimated delivery date for the application?
These are just a few points, it may vary depending on the complexity of the application. So, make sure you fully understand the application you are going to test through automated testing.
4. Experience automated testing tools
When learning to be an intelligent automation test engineer, we are not doing the industry justice if we don't talk about test automation tools.
A major part of these companies have started using automated testing tools. The main reason to use them is their benefits to the business.
So, to gain better exposure in your career, you need to try out the leading test automation tools available in the market. Trying out these tools can help you gain a lot of knowledge about their architecture, environment, feasibility of testing your application, etc.
Also, having extensive experience with these tools will help you decide which tool will meet most of your automation testing needs. This can help you further your career as you execute your testing projects.
5. Understand the ATLC methodology
ATLC stands for Automated Testing Life Cycle.
The way we follow the software development and testing life cycle is also the same as automated testing. To understand and follow ATLM requires experience with:
Decision making in automated testing
test automation tools
automated testing process
Test planning, design and development
Test script execution and management
Review and evaluate testing procedures
For each test automation requirement, a test automation engineer follows this lifecycle:
Decide on automated testing -> adopt automated testing tools -> determine the automation process -> test planning & use case design & function development -> test execution & test management -> test project review & test evaluation -> decide on automated testing
As shown below:
To be a successful automation test engineer, you need to understand the ATLC methodology and execute it in every test automation project.
6. Create a test automation strategy
Once you use the ATLC methodology and automated testing tools, you can create a test automation strategy for your client or employer.
To be a good test automation engineer, you need to be the right person to start preparing a test automation strategy, finalize tools, overall cost and ROI calculations.
Automated strategy creation is considered a very critical part as you need to define and develop paths that will help you reduce manual testing time and provide equity to your client's ROI.
7. Stay informed of testing trends
Last but not least, keeping up with the latest software testing and test automation trends is the most important part of this industry.
Trending best practices, tools, techniques, tips and tricks will help you and your team succeed in optimizing your test automation strategy and approach.
This generation is moving in the direction of automation. However, there is a lot of debate about test automation tools replacing manual testers. But remember, the creators of test automation tools are testers like you. So, to become a smart automation test engineer and succeed in this industry, you need to really work hard with passion and dedication.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has read my article carefully. Reciprocity is always necessary. Although it is not a very valuable thing, you can take it away if you need it:
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