The Test Automation Workshop

Whether you are considering a solution or have one already established, this course will provide you with the critical tools, strategies, tactics, and techniques to significantly increase the performance of your automated testing practice and maximize your return on investment. Automation is software - but it is also a tactical and strategic framework, and your requirements must directly support that framework. Knowing how to find the right software, understanding which framework matches your needs, and implementing them both correctly will enable you to achieve significant ROI - but it is much easier said than done.

This two-day course was developed as a detailed roadmap for successful test automation deployment. You will get a comprehensive examination of both commercial and open-source solutions and how they can be applied to both traditional applications and specialized testing initiatives. You will learn how to properly evaluate, implement, and gain sustainable utilization for your system. You will get invaluable tips, tricks, and techniques for all stages - from conceptualization to implementation. You will leave this class with developed documents that will provide a quick start when you return to the office.

What You Will Learn

• Create and standardize automation test scripts
• Use pragmatic and proven automation approaches for any commercial or internally developed testing tool
• Successfully incorporate automation into both traditional and specialized testing initiatives and for web, client/server, mainframe, and character-base applications
• Get the most productivity and effectiveness out of your automation solution
• Develop and maintain a test automated framework within your daily time constraints
• Protect yourself against false-positives in automation use
• Use new evaluation and selection techniques and move beyond the past practices (demo and select) to the goal of full/complete connection between the tool and your test environment
• Incorporate best practices for Data Acquisition tools, Static Analyzer tools, Dynamic Analyzer tools, Simulators, Test Management tools, and Multi-Dimensional tools

Audience

software testers and project managers, testing managers, QA manager/directors, IT manager/directors who make testing application decisions or who want to better use their testing application, application development directors, programmers, business systems architects, and business analysts

Prerequistes

Course Outline

1. Introduction

• Objectives and What to Expect
• Historical Perspective
• Automation Support Universe

2. Master Strategy

• Recognizing Fundamental Mistakes for Tool Pursuits
• Test Automation Strategic & Tactical Framework
• Synchronizing Technologies with Processes
• Scope Limitation & Baseline Requirements (eg. Commercial/Open-Source)
• Broad Yet Focused Behavior
• Connection and Dependencies

3. Criteria

• Determining Need
• ROI Goal Setting
• Stumping for Stakeholders
• Building Environmental, Functional, and Operational Requirements
• Working with Contract, Procurement, and Legal Functions
• Presenting a Plan
• Approval and Funding

4. Evaluation

• Candidate Sources
• Pre-Evaluation Criteria
• Scoring
• Illustration and Illumination (demo & test)
• Courtship Period

5. Selection

• Prenuptial
• Negotiation
• Solidify/Formalize

6. Implementation

• Preparation
  • Processes
  • Environment
  • Culture
• Vendor's Role in implementation (and beyond)
• Timing
• Initiative Selection
• "High Touch" Attention & Oversight
• Tweaking or Accepting the Differences
• In-Depth Examination of the Tenants of Good Practice for...
  • Data Acquisition Tools
• Generators
• Extractors
• Manipulators
• Profilers
• Comparators
• Regression Devices
  • Static Analyzer Tools
• Code Metrics & Characteristics
• Design Extractors
• Documentors
  • Dynamic Analyzer Tools
• Code & Design Coverage
• Performance Analyzers
  • Simulators
• Hardware
• Software (Stub/Driver Generators)
• Network
• Neuro Simulators
  • Test Management Tools
• Repositories
• Documentation Facilities
• Project, Change & Configuration Management
• Incident Tracking
• Defect Profilers
  • Multi-Dimensional Tools
  • Other (occasionally) Tools
• Disconnection and Connectivity Between Tool Solutions (Black/White/Grey/Clear-Box Support)
• A Detailed Look at Regression Test Tools
  • 10 Deadly Sins
  • Script Acquisition
  • Script Manipulation
  • Core Base/Reusable Base Scripts
  • Clear Scripting
  • Connection & Decoupling
  • Maintenance

7. Utilization

• Metrics
• Stay-Alive Measures
• Misuse Indicators (over use, the 'wandering' syndrome)

8. Continuance

• Proactive Attention
• Product vs. Environment Care
• Framework for "Excitement"

9. Replacement

• Removal from Life Support
• Recognizing the Mourning Period
• Passing the Torch
• Always Remembered

10. Conclusion

• What have we learned?
• Where is more work required?
• How can we advance our efforts?
• Working with limited or no tooling specialists
• Can non-technicians enjoy tool services?

Course Labs