Mobile applications need to be up to date all the time. In a bid to create value out of these apps, businesses carry out regular testing and deployment. The reason for that is that complexities and functionalities of mobile phones are ever increasing. The business has to keep up with that dynamism.
Mobile test automation isn’t complicated at all. The process often involved using a set of test automation frameworks and tools like Testpad, Appium and Selenium for the automation. Challenges start showing up when executing the same tests on real devices or when trying to integrate them into Agile workflow. You might also run into difficulties when executing several mobile test automations in parallel. It’s the same case when including actual end-user environments into the tests.
Technological advancements, on their part, do not make things easy. As the complexity of apps increases and as new devices reach consumers, quality assurance becomes more intricate. The applications have to be compatible with all of the tools and operating system.
We shall be discussing a lot more about testing at our 2019 Software Testing Conference, EuroSTAR, You don’t want to miss this…
So how do you navigate past these challenges?
Choose the Right Mobile Test Automation Tool
The right mobile testing and automation tools help to accelerate and reduce the complexity of the process. You need the right strategic plan for automation tools. A strategic assessment will also help in agile initiatives. There are several mobile test automation tools in the market. However, not one single tool can meet all your test automation needs. Before choosing any tool, software development companies should first, check its specifications and compare its key parameters against your current and future requirements. Find a tool that is most compatible with your mobile apps. It should ideally be able to support more than one programming language.
Choose an Appropriate Automation Framework
The next step after tool selection is choosing the right framework for test automation. The latter has conditions for enabling the execution of test scripts. Your framework of choice should be based on the size of the application and user scenarios.
Data by Gartner shows that in the run-up to 2020, 50 % of enterprises will implement testing using open source frameworks. The right automation test framework should help you achieve high reusability of the test components and get high-quality automation scripts.
Test on the Relevant Devices and Simulators
Automation frameworks often run on simulators and devices to check an application’s performance and responsiveness. Simulators can be optional, but when it comes to devices, you will have to use a real device to test the compatibility of an application. The process helps to enhance app performance on various networks.
The right mobile automation test strategy will depend on your current testing needs. It is highly recommended to test on a device relevant to the application. For instance, a gaming app may need specific screen sizes. It wouldn’t be necessary to test a gaming application across all the devices.
Consider the App to be Tested
Your test strategy should take into account the type of app you intend to test. It could be a web app for mobile browsers or a native app that relies on deep interactions with a system API’s or both. Detailed analysis of the nature of your application is necessary to meet the app’s unique requirements during testing.
Plan the Test Case
Your test case needs to have clear steps with specific data needs and projected results. Therefore success in mobile automated test depends on your planned key parameters and, type of test and test scenarios. Test types are usually functional or non-functional. Parameters state the coverage area, and we test scenarios predict traffic issues, network issues, and problems with configuration, among others.
Your app might be able to facilitate an end to end testing dependent on its design and use. You will need to master each feature on the app and the testing needs. Some of the feature levels to be prioritized include full regression, Unit test/API and UI – smoke/acceptance
Mobile test automation helps to improve the mobile experience of an app and its code quality. You can implement agile methodologies for improved app quality and shorten the time your app reaches the market. The testing needs to use the right tools, platforms, and frameworks for comprehensive results and high market competitiveness.
We shall be discussing a lot more about testing at our 2019 Software Testing Conference, EuroSTAR, You don’t want to miss this…
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Author Bio
Chris Kimera is the founder of Techtiq Solutions, a digital product agency in London that specialise in innovating, designing and development of websites and mobile applications that solve traditional business problems.
