Published on May 24th, 2021 | by Sumit Bhowal

7 Benefits of Test Automation to Businesses Today

Successful product development must incorporate testing. It is the only way you can guarantee that the product you are releasing into the market is of top quality. Companies have the option of manual and automation testing.

Manual testing can be time-consuming and may be prone to human errors. But, some tests are not possible with automated testing tools. You cannot, for example, apply the use of automation for UX (user experience) tests.

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Automated testing helps with efficiency and the streamlining of processes. But those are not the only benefits. We will explore additional ones in our article below.

What is Test Automation

Test automation is the process of checking software quality with the use of automation. It covers things like: –

Code analysis to check for flaws and to ensure the design sticks to the form and style
Unit tests that isolate units, functions, or operations to run specific tests
Integration or end-to-end tests that check for dependencies with external factors.

To get a more comprehensive rundown, please check out this automation testing tutorial.

Benefits of Test Automation

Now that we’ve discussed what test automation is, let’s check out the benefits it brings to companies.

The Company Saves On Time

Without a doubt, manual testing has its benefits. The reality is that you cannot replace the vital role of human beings in the development process. But, some of the tasks are repetitive and tedious.

You have to go through different scenarios, combinations, and inputs. All these steps can take a lot of time.

With automation, the company will save a lot of time. The teams can run tests faster and you can also run many tests at a go, which may not be achievable using human labor.

The Company Saves Money

Many people would argue that the cost of automation is high. We would not disagree with that because it is a fact. But, you will only feel the impact if you think about it in the short term. A company will save a lot of money and see ROI with a holistic, long-term analysis.

Think about the typical software development cycle. Every step requires testing to look for bugs or errors. You might have to run tens to thousands of tests. A company that relies on manual labor has to factor in certain costs:-

The cost of professional or skilled labor to run the tests
Enough time which if you calculate in dollar amount, can be staggering
The actual cost of human resource, including salaries, insurance, and even medical expenses
The impact of errors arising from human fallibility. A human tester can make an error or miss a critical component. The team may not even notice the mistake until the product hits the market. Imagine the cost of a product recall or correcting the error at the end of the development cycle.

We could go on and on, but the point is clear. Test automation is a cost-effective option for any business today.

Broader Coverage and Reusability of Test Suites

When setting up test automation, you write specific scripts. Such depend on the functionality you need. Once you input the information in the test suite, any Q&A specialist can run the tests.

It frees up the teams to concentrate on writing new test scripts. They have the chance to explore more complex areas. The result is a richer test suite that you can apply to more areas in the developmental cycle.

With a test suite in place, you can apply it to other projects or test cases. You get the advantage of reusability and replication. It saves the company time, money, and resources. Further, there is higher efficiency when you streamline the processes.

Prompt Feedback and Results

Automating tests give your prompt feedback. Testers can validate the different phases without having to wait long to get results. Fast feedback is also a boost to the collaboration between different team members.

Product owners, designers, and coders can quickly access information. Test automation will generate reports, analytics, and insights after every test. You don’t have to wait for the manual tester to find some time to write the report.

With the correct information, the teams can work together to rectify any errors. The result is higher productivity and faster movement along the developmental cycle. The company can also send products to the market faster.

Higher Reliability

Automation tools stick to specific instructions as per the test scripts. That means that there is higher reliability in the results you get. You cannot compare the same if you were using a human tester.

Different factors can impact the results you get. As we have already stated, tedious and repetitive tasks can generate boredom. Other factors could also impact the quality of work you get.

Sickness, fatigue, laziness, and inattention to detail can result in missing critical areas. Test automation frees you from having to worry about human error.

Boost To Employee Morale

Imagine having to wake up every day to a tedious, time-consuming, and dull job. Maybe we exaggerate a little, but for the sake of this point, please bear with us. Manual software testing is not an easy job. There is great satisfaction in sending quality products to the market.

But test automation is a welcome relief because it handles the more repetitive tasks. The testers can now concentrate on other more fulfilling roles. Boosting employee morale will lead to higher productivity for the company.

Automation Testing Allows For Scalability

Test automation frees up the software development team to concentrate on other areas. Your company can be at the forefront of breakthroughs and innovation.

You are also better able to handle the complexity that accompanies software development. A growing company must ensure efficiency and good use of resources.

Final Thoughts

We have looked at seven benefits of test automation to businesses. We are in no way saying that a company can exist without manual testers. After all, human beings still need to oversee the processes. They also ensure the proper functioning of the automation tools and processes.

But, with that said, there are some tasks that test automation tools can handle better. Such include the more repetitive tasks that take a lot of time. Suitable test suites result in greater reliability and higher efficiency.

Feedback is prompt, and teams can collaborate better. The boost in employee morale is also worth noting.

Software development is an exciting field. The teams get the opportunity to use their talents and skills in other areas. Finally, the company can put out high-quality products. Such will have undergone stringent tests in every stage of the development cycle.

Tags: app development, benefits, test automation

About the Author

Sumit Bhowal An Internet addict and a MASTAN , Also a lazy Freelancer . I don't try to reinvent the wheel I just like to soak things in Steroid's :p Thanks (y)