The document provides an overview of the automated testing life-cycle methodology, which outlines a systematic process to enhance product quality through various stages. Key phases include feasibility study, test plan design, environment setup, automation development, test execution, result analysis, and maintenance. Each stage aims to optimize efficiency, coverage, and effectiveness in software testing while ensuring proper communication with stakeholders.

1. INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMATED
TESTING LIFE-CYCLE METHODOLOGY

2. Introduction
Automated Testing Life-cycle Methodology is the process of testing which is executed in planned
and a systematic manner. In this process, different activities are carried out to improve the quality
of the product. It is the best to increase efficiency, coverage and effectiveness of your software
testing. Let’s see what all stages are involved in it:

3. I. Automation feasibility study
Before we start to automate the manual test cases, firstly we need to verify that the test cases are
feasible to automate or not. On the basis of the feasibility study, we can give the accurate
estimates, so feasibility study must be done. Let’s take an example: An automation team has given
an estimate to the client and started to automate the test cases without analyze it. During automate
the functionality they facing some issues like in one test case client want to submit a form with
captcha but they are unable to automate captcha or various types of issues. Now you need to
discuss it with your client, at that time it will leave a bad impression on the client. Here the first
question of the client is “Why did not analyze it in the first phase?” I think now you understand
the importance of feasibility study. There must be a checklist for a feasibility study by using it we
decide the automation.
i. Walkthrough of Software
ii. Client requirement for automation
iii. Development and stability status of the application
iv. Categorizing the test cases (Smoke/Regression)
v. Automation Percentage
vi. Return on investment

4. How to calculate return on investment
TA = Time taken for automation testing
TM = Time taken for manual testing
TS = Time saved due to test automation
TS = TM-TA
Investment:
CHS = Cost of hardware and software
CT = Cost of training staff on automation
CDM = Cost of development and maintenance of script
CA = Cost of Automation
CA = CT+CDM+CHS
Return on investment = (Benefits from automation over manual) / (Cost of automation over
manual)

5. II. Automation test plan and design
This phase contains what, when and how to automate the test cases. We can plan it in a well
organized manner only if we study the feasibility of test cases category (Smoke and Regression).
In this phase we can plan for:
i. The architecture of automation framework
ii. Effort estimation to automate the test cases
iii. Automation resources allocation
iv. In Scope and out of scope items
v. Scheduling and Timelines
vi. Automation tool
vii. Test data
In test plan, we can also consider the limitations, risk and dependency of the automation over the
application. After preparing the automation plan, it is shared with the client for review and
approval.

6. III. Setup environment andtools
In this phase, we set up the machine or remote machine in which we develop or execute the test
cases. In this, we can mention hardware and software requirements, necessary machines. We need
to set up a separate instance of the application as there must be no disturbance during
development and execution of the scripts. In this phase we also setup automation testing
framework according to the application requirements.

7. IV. Automation test cases development
Once automation framework is setup, testers start automating the test cases according to the
plan. In this, we create common functions that can be reused in the further scripts. Developed
scripts should be easy to understand, well structured and documented in case of peer review or
client understanding. Use the process of reporting that is easy to understand and contains
screenshots when the test scripts fail. The script should be created as per the code standard and
code should be optimized. The assertions must be used in all the test scripts. Make sure that in this
phase all the test cases get automated and run independently.

8. V. Test execution and analysis
In this phase, we perform the actual execution of all automated scripts and analyze the result.
Make sure that created scripts are stable to run in multiple environments and multiple browsers
(as per the client’s requirements). All the created scripts must be executed in this phase. In case,
any failure occurs during execution then it should take the screenshot for the same. One can also
create a batch file to execute the scripts as it will save time and efforts. Test management and CI
tool must be integrated within the script which invokes the test automation tool. By using these
tools, execution can be done overnight to save time.

9. VI. Test result and deliverables: In this phase, we gather the test automation result and share the
result with the team, stakeholder and the client. Test results must be easy to understand for
everyone involved. Proper filters must be used in the report. You should have a good report
like TestNG, Extent Report etc.
VII. Maintenance: This is continuous improvement process phase. In this phase, test cases are
updated regularly as per the functional or UI changes. In this, we can also automate new test
cases that were not included during the planning phase. Effort estimations, scheduling and
timelines are also set for this phase.