Why use Automated Testing Tools

Written by Abhishek Ghosh

In the past, most software tests were performed using manual methods. This required a large staff of test personnel to perform expensive, and time-consuming manual test procedures.Owing to the size and complexity of today’s advanced software applications, manual testing is no longer a viable option for most testing situations.  

There are many factors that favour the use of various automated testing tools.Some of the most prominent reasons to use automated testing tools that I can gather are :

Cost Saving : Automated testing tools save a great deal of expenditure that must be spent on testing components, that must be tested, yet do not require much variance in terms of the test routine applied.For example - If the same test routine had to be run on a large data set,using an automated testing tool would be much cheaper & efficient than manual labor to do the same work.

Efficiency : The time taken for doing certain kinds of tests are reduced to a very great extent by using automated testing tools, as the test routine & test reporting is done in machine time.

Nature of Test (Load / Stress Testing) : Sometimes the nature of the test itself requires the work to be done by an automated testing tool.For example - In case of Load testing or Stress Testing, a large number of requests have to be generated by virtual clients and a large number of prallel connections have to be formed, which is virtually impossible for a test team.

Standardization / Replication : The use of automated testing tools also makes it possible to replicate test routines across different platforms, development studios and different projects.

Repeatability and Control : Using automated testing tools, the the tester has a very high degree of control over which types of tests are being performed, and how the tests will be executed.

Greater Application Coverage : The productivity gains delivered by automated testing tools allow and encourage organizations to test more often and more completely.

Every organization has unique reasons for automating software quality activities, but several reasons are common across industries.