Objectives, Advantages and Disadvantages of Test Automation

Objectives of Test Automation include:

• Shorten the test execution period, so that the test frequency is increased, the time required for test cycle is reduced.
• Test efficiency is improved.
• Reducing the total test cost.
• Providing wider function coverage.
• Performing test that manual testers cannot

Advantages of Test Automation include:

• More tests can be run per build
• The possibility to create tests that cannot be done manually (real-time, remote, parallel).
• Tests run faster.
• Tests are less subject to operator error.
• More effective and efficient use of testing resources
• Quick feedback regarding software quality.
• Improved reliability (repeat-ability, consistency).

Disadvantages of Test Automation include:

• Initial investment/additional cost is needed.
• Requires Additional technologies and development/automation skill.
• On-going maintenance for TAS is required.
• Can distract from testing Objectives, eg: focusing on automating/executing tests.
• Not all tests can be automated or complex to automate.
• Additional errors may be introduced by automation itself.
• Can only check machine-interpret-able results. bugs related to layout can be missed.
• Not replacement for Exploratory testing.