My top ten list for a successful test automation strategy

My top ten list for a successful test automation strategy

1. Write a detailed test planbefore doing anything - be very clear on your

automation strategy and getbuy-in from your management and peers.

2. Put together a test casemanagement framework, so that each tester is

writing to the same standards,and all tests are maintained and accessible.

3. Reduce maintenance - writecommon functions and modules, and

reuse them everywhere.

4. Write meaningful test logs,and generate a summary report for all pass

and fail results. Log everything.

5. Have tests run unattended, andcapable of recovering from failure.

6. Leverage your tests acrossmultiple languages, platforms, and configura

tions.

7. Introduce some randomness inyour tests.

8. Start small, with tests thatare run daily, e.g. build verification tests.

Build on success.

9. Measure effectiveness ofautomation by number and rate of bugs found.

10. Use automation for stress testing - run tests onyour product till it fails.

From <Software Test Automatioin>