Right Balance Between Automated Testing and Manual Testing

Manual Testing and How it Works

When a QA analyst manually executes tests to ensure the quality of the product being developed then this approach is considered as manual testing. The main purpose behind it is to discover the bugs and report them. The tester needs to check all the features in the system and execute test cases to generate test reports without using any sort of automated tool. A tester needs to be experienced enough to detect bugs and report them in an organized way without any sort of external help.

Automated Testing and How it Works

Test execution is automated with the help of codes and scripts. Numerous testing tools automate the testing process while developing scripts and validating software requirements. The major benefits of test automation are that it helps to save time and take over mundane tasks. It entirely depends upon the scripts which run automatically and make a comparison between actual and expected results. In this way, the tester can easily analyze if the application is working as per requirements or not. 

Key Differences between Automated and Manual Testing

We can’t say that in automation testing we do not require any manpower or assistance of a QA resource. But the impact of work done through test case management tools, defect management tools, and automated testing tools is more reliable as compared to the work done traditionally. Below mentioned are a few parameters which state how automation testing is different from manual testing and what are a few points which create an impact on these two methodologies. 

Processing Time:

The IT industry deals with numerous challenges daily and of the major aspects which companies have to deal with is the time constraint. Clients expect quality products in minimal time and for this purpose, testers need to speed up the whole testing process without compromising on the quality. 

Through test automation, this task can be performed in a relatively less amount of time. Manual testing takes time and a lot of human resources are occupied to get the job done. 

Exploratory Testing:

Once you plan to go for test automation, you just can’t perform random testing. A script is written to perform the job and to compare the results. Whereas in manual testing, a tester carries out the job so he can perform testing in any way which seems appropriate for the system and meets requirements.

Investment:

To start with automation, you need to buy some paid tools and hire trained staff to perform the job. Test automation requires high investment as compared to manual testing but at the same time, it offers higher ROI in the long run.

Reliability:

If we talk about the reliable approach then automation wins here as machines are considered a lot more reliable than humans’ performance. Manual testing is prone to errors and there is always the possibility that during the whole monotonous process an oversight may occur. 

UI Change:

In automation testing, the script needs to be revised and updated if there is any sort of the trivial change in the software whereas in manual testing it won’t create much of a difference. Testers need to write scripts if UI changes appear, such as changes in button, class, id, etc.

Cost-effectiveness:

If regression volume is low then the automating testing process won’t be feasible and cost-effective whereas manual testing would not be cost-effective for high volume regression. 

Test Report Visibility:

To manage the testing manually, there is no tool to record all the changes happening around. Tester goes through word and excels sheets to update the changes and record all points which are time-consuming and reports are not readily available. 

Engagement:

As you deal with test case management tools, and automation tools so the engagement process becomes easy and entire teams can coordinate in one place and access useful information in real-time. It makes work manageable and accessible whereas if you stick to manual mode then repeated execution of testing and other steps becomes boring and time-consuming which results in errors.

Meeting Deadlines:

If you automate the testing process then there are fewer or no chances of missing the deadline. As tasks are performed as per plan whereas in manual testing chances are high as this process entirely depends upon human resources. 

Summing up

You can’t follow a single approach to carry out the testing process. Both automation and manual testing have their pros and cons and to ensure a timely and effective testing strategy, the team needs to make the best use of both approaches to deal with things as per their requirements.