Streamlining Test Automation for New Features

Implementing test automation for new feature development can be tricky. Scripts need to be updated, new tests added, everything validated — all while maintaining quality.

Having a streamlined process to handle test automation changes for feature stories can help everything run smoothly.

Let’s look at a step-by-step approach:

Review Requirements

First, you need to understand what the new feature entails. Review the user stories and requirements to fully comprehend the functionality being added or changed. This understanding will be key for upcoming analysis.

Impact Analysis

Next, determine which existing test cases and scripts will be impacted by the feature changes. You want to identify any required updates upfront. Are there new workflows? Will UI elements or APIs change? Any data that needs modifying? Note down all tests that require updating.

Also look for new test cases needed to cover the new flows and behaviors introduced. The feature may enable new user journeys that need validation.

Design Automation Approach

Have a focused design session to discuss the analysis completed so far. Define the plan and approach for updating existing scripts. Also determine scope and coverage for new automated tests.

Additionally, analyze if any modifications are needed to the underlying frameworks or test data set-up. Sort these out upfront.

Update Impacted Tests

Now the actual work begins. Update all identified automated checks to align with the new feature. This may involve tweaks like:

• Changing existing page or test classes.
• Revising test data with new values
• Adjusting expected results for updated outputs

Ensure all impacted tests are updated to match latest expected behaviors.

Develop New Tests

Next, turn your attention to authoring new automated tests. Write scripts to verify the new happy paths and scenarios enabled by the feature. Add relevant test data, locators, assertions as needed.

Expand coverage to include negative test cases as well. Try to break the feature in every possible way.

Local Validation

With changes completed, execute the entire test suite locally. Verify all tests including new scripts are passing as expected. Debug and fix any failures observed.

Rinse and repeat running tests and fixing problems until a zero-failure local run.

Generate Reports

Now generate execution reports to capture relevant metrics like:

• Total tests executed
• Number of passes/failures
• Test coverage
• New tests added
• Any defects logged

Execute in CI/CD using Feature Branch Code

Trigger the test suite using the feature branch automation code on the CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins on staging environment. Review console logs and execution reports for any issues.

Peer Review

Attach the generated report and request peers to review the updated and new automated scripts. This extra oversight improves quality and identifies any gaps early.

Final Merge

If the CI run passes all checks, complete the final merge to the master branch in source control.

Execute in CI/CD using Master Branch Code

Trigger the test suite on the CI/CD pipeline like Jenkins using a staging environment. Review console logs and execution reports for any issues.

Conclusion

Having this end-to-end process ensures test automation is handled methodically when new features come down the pipe. What steps have you found effective when modifying automation packs for feature development? Let me know in the comments!