Tips for Successful Keyword-Driven Automated Testing

As a software tester, there are dozens of test automation tools and approaches that you can use to make your software as free from faults as possible. Over the last decade, testing has emerged strongly as an area of service separate from app development. While most expert test automators are techies, non-technical people have also begun to play a part in the executional areas of testing. Also, automated testing has made it possible for laymen to take care of some parts of the testing process on their own.

Separating Test Design and Execution                                                                  

Keyword-driven testing smoothly bifurcates the testing process into two stages: test development and test execution. By harnessing the best features of keyword testing or action word based testing, it is possible for you to automate most of the execution stages.

One of the biggest benefits of this type of testing is that it enables you to create and run automated tests almost from the start of the software development process. Keyword-driven testing is pretty handy when it comes to identifying defects and bugs at an early stage. Especially, for projects developed using any of the Agile methodologies, this approach can yield positive results. However, keyword-driven testing doesn’t work with each and every testing projects.

Tasting Success with Keyword-Driven Automated Testing

There are certain conditions which should be met for keyword testing to generate results. First and foremost, your testing process should have clear bifurcations; i.e., your test development process and test automation should be separate. The test cases should be crafted by people who are experts at testing, while the automation should be implemented by technically skilled people. Also, every test case should have a clear, well-defined scope. Only when these conditions are met does keyword-driven testing succeed.

Deciding Testing Methodology

Once you choose keyword-driven testing, it is time to consider your testing methodology. Develop a proper test automation strategy that helps you minimize efforts and maximize results. Choose the right tool for automation – you need an automated testing tool that offers enough features specifically for keyword-driven testing. Look for a tool that lets testers build keyword tests fast. The simpler the automation tool is, the easier it will be for the testers to use it. Find the right balance between ease-of-use and functionality.

Apart from creating the right conditions for keyword driven testing and finding the right tools, you must focus on a few key factors:

1. While building or setting up the automation technology for testing is central to the process, you must ensure that test design is efficiency. Automation will help you speed up the process, but the effectiveness of testing rests on the creation of test cases.

2. Devise a clear and comprehensive plan of approach. Don’t just chalk out the scope of the testing project, but also note down the assumptions and risk factors. All the information regarding the testing methodology, tools and the roles of different stakeholders should be outlined in the plan.

3. Assembling the right team is also vital to the success of your keyword-driven testing process. For the testing process, you need test management team or test manager who is aware of every aspect of the test and can provide guidance. Test designers or developers should be responsible for creating the tests. Technically proficient developers should take care of setting up or creating the automation process.

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4. Manage the test process well by involving all the stakeholders. Depending on the kind of software you are testing, find out the best practices and stick to them. Don’t let the automation tool drive the testing process – choose a customizable tool that can support your test methodology.

5. Once you start the testing process, it is important to evaluate it continually. You need to do a quick test on the automation to see that it is working as expected. Also, you need to find out whether keyword testing is progressing according to the test development plan. In case there are any problems, you must find solutions quickly.

Keeping these points in mind will ensure that you fulfill the goals of the testing process. Keyword testing can help you speed up the process testing and help you identify and remove defects at an early stage – provided you go about it methodically and meticulously.