Testing automation brings many advantages, like faster execution and higher accuracy. It is a crucial part of the software development life cycle. Since it ensures the quality and reliability of the software application. The focus on the agile and DevOps approach has increased, leading to a high demand for automation testing and experienced automation testers. This is because automation testing is a complex process and requires professionals to have the proper skills. However, the right skill sets for automation testing allow us to write a compelling test case, quickly identify and report a bug and perform other tasks.
In such a context, we will explore the top 10 skills you need for automation testing to ensure success. You can become an automation testing professional and upgrade your career with the right skills. So, if you want to undertake automation testing, this blog post will provide you with the important skills you need to excel.
Read on for the top 10 skills for automation testing.
What Are The Skills Needed For Automation Testing?
With the ever-increasing technological advancements and digital transformation, automation testing has become a popular term for many software development teams. Automation testing is software testing that uses different automation tools to perform tests and compare actual and expected results. It is a vital method for swiftly and accurately verifying the functionality and performance of software applications. However, automation testing has challenges and requires specialized skills and knowledge to perform effectively.
The important skills the testers and developers should have include programming language, skills in automation testing tools, the ability to analyze and report bugs, and others. When you learn all the important skills needed for automation testing, you can contribute to developing high-quality software products and become a valuable asset to the organization.
Here Is The List Of The Top 10 Skills To Have For Automation Testing:
Proficiency in Programming Languages
Automation testers need to have a good understanding of programming languages like Java, C#, Python, and Ruby. Understanding the basics of coding and having strong logical and analytical skills can help automation testers quickly write and debug test scripts. It is important to be familiarized with scripting languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript because they are often used in web applications. Knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and Structured Query Language (SQL) will be helpful.
Outstanding Manual Testing Skills
Despite the revolution of automation testing, manual testing still holds relevance. Automation testing is not necessarily the replacement for manual testing but is more of a compliment. Automation testers must have outstanding manual testing skills to identify the areas where automation testing can be beneficial accurately. Furthermore, like exploratory testing, manual testing is still necessary to perform tasks we can’t automate. Manual testing skills include effective debugging, code reviewing, and understanding primary coding languages like HTML, JavaScript, etc. These skills are the foundation for the entire automation testing process and are important for a successful automation tester.
Expertise With Automation Tools
Automation testing needs understanding regarding the different automation testing tools available. The most popular ones include Selenium, Appium, TestComplete, and UFT. These tools provide a framework for automation testing, authorizing testers to write and execute scripts to test applications quickly. In addition, they help testers maximize the efficiency of their tests by automating the process of test execution and reporting.
Understanding The Business Requirements
Automation testing is very technical but should not be done in a vacuum. It is pivotal for the automation tester to thoroughly understand the organization’s goals for automation testing so that the process is done in a way that meets the end goal. It is necessary to evaluate the measures which need to examine and the magnitude of the tests. To map the several test scenarios nicely, the automation tester should know about the system and environment. Moreover, it is important to ascertain the data that should be used to test the application. Ultimately, the automation tester should be able to judge which tests should be automated and which should not.
Troubleshooting The Automation Tools
Troubleshooting automation tools is a must-have skill for automation testers. Automation testers must be able to pinpoint errors or bugs in the framework and quickly determine and fix them. Automation testers can identify the root cause of the issue and execute countermeasures to prevent them from happening again. Also, automation testers need to have strong debugging skills and be able to detect the exact problem areas and fix them efficiently and quickly.
Also Check: Software QA and Testing For Software Development Services
Understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle
Automation testing necessitates technical skills and the ability to comprehend the logic and flow of the application. An automation tester must have the ability to detect the scope of automation and should be able to measure the effort required for automation precisely. The automation tester should know the software development life cycle, the interaction between components, and the best practices to test each stage. Since, this aids in making sure that the automation testing process is seamless and efficient. They should know the techniques for testing different technologies, including web-based and mobile applications. So, a deep understanding of the software development life cycle is important for an automation tester.
Understanding of Automation Testing Frameworks
Automation testing frameworks are a set of guidelines, rules, and best practices that are used in automation testing. These frameworks provide guidelines for how automation tests should be designed and structured. They provide a set of libraries and tools that we can use to create and execute automated tests. This assists in assuring that the tests are effortless to maintain and repeatable. Automation testers should have a good understanding of different types of automation testing frameworks, like keyword-driven, data-driven, hybrid, and model-based automation testing. Since, this will allow them to choose the best framework for the software application under test.
Well Versed with Test Management Tools
Automation testers should be well-versed with test management tools like HP ALM, Bugzilla, TestLink, QTP, JIRA, and HP QC. These tools assist in storing and managing the test cases, tracking the results and faults, and providing management reports. Also, these tools can help examine the performance of the tested application and ensure that it satisfies the desired criteria. They help to identify potential bugs or defects in the system. A tester should also be comfortable using these tools and know how to use them effectively.
Database Querying
Database querying is an important skill for automation testers. Since it helps extract desired data from the database to validate test script results. It helps to ensure that the data is consistent, accurate, and reliable. Testers must understand SQL queries, database tools, and structure to perform effective database querying. This skill helps to specify the data inconsistencies or other problems in the database. With this skill, testers can swiftly resolve the issues related to the database, thus improving the overall efficiency of the automation testing process.
Outstanding Reporting Skills
Reporting test results in an organized and understandable way are crucial for automation testing. Quality testers must be able to provide accurate reports on the tests they have run, including the errors encountered, the difficulties they have performed, and their findings. This helps the team make informed decisions on refining the automation tests, often leading to better results. Additionally, reporting errors promptly can help the team pinpoint and fix the issues before they become significant problems. Moreover, automation testers must speak their findings clearly and concisely, which can help everyone on the team understand the results and take action.
Certifications Are An Added Benefit
Stand out from the competition when applying for a new job with a certification. Not only will it make a great impression, but it will develop your skill set. Automation testing certifications are incredibly beneficial and can give you an edge in the future.
Automation testing is crucial to producing high-quality software that meets customer expectations. To achieve success in automation testing, one must possess a combination of technical, analytical, and communication skills. This list of the top 10 skills for automation testing provides a helpful guide for testers, developers, and other stakeholders in the software development process. So, with the right skills, automation testing can become a powerful tool for ensuring the quality of software products.
Also Check: 10 Benefits Of Outsourcing Software Development
Conclusion
If you are a beginner and hope to learn automation testing, you can start with LambdaTest certification courses. LambdaTest is a cross-browser testing platform that offers automation certifications in different programming languages and testing frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, and C#. So, it will help to evaluate your automation testing skills and learn more. It is an incredible option to kick-start your career in software testing.
Also Check: How Business Automation Can Improve Your Productivity
Images by ThisIsEngineering and Markus Spiske
