If you currently work in manual testing then you may be considering the move into a test automation role. Test automation is the process of using software to automate the execution of tests. It can be used to test a wide range of software applications, including web applications, mobile apps, and desktop applications.
Test automation has a number of benefits, including:
Increased test coverage
Test automation can help to increase test coverage by running tests more frequently and efficiently than manual testing.
Improved quality
Test automation can help to improve the quality of software by finding bugs earlier in the development process.
Reduced costs
Test automation can help to reduce the costs of testing by reducing the amount of manual testing that needs to be performed.
If you are interested in moving into a test automation role, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.
Learn a Programming Language
Test automation is generally written in code. So, to give yourself the best start, it is beneficial to learn a programming language. You could familiarise yourself with a popular programming language such as C#, Java, JavaScript or Python. Which should you pick, though? My recommendation, generally, is to choose the programming language which the developers on your team write their code in. This will give you the benefit of having developers at hand to help you out if you get stuck and need assistance. Trust me, that will definitely happen from time to time!
Once you’ve settled on which language you’d like to learn, you should watch online courses (even YouTube houses some great courses for free), read blog posts, maybe even buy a book on the language. All of these things will help you learn the programming language in an easy and structured way.
Learn About Test Automation Tools and Frameworks
There are a number of different test automation tools and frameworks available. Some popular tools include Selenium, Appium, and TestNG. It is important to learn about the different tools and frameworks available so that you can choose the right ones for your needs.
Network With Other Test Automation Engineers
Networking with other test automation engineers is a great way to learn more about the field and to find job opportunities. You can network through online forums, meetups, and conferences.
Personally, I attend meetups and conferences, both of which have been invaluable in not only helping me on my test automation journey, but also helping me to develop my test automation mindset.
Get Hands-On With Automation Tools
Learning about test automation tools is all well and good, but you should put your skills to the test. Start by creating some simple automated tests in the language of your choice. Then try expanding the functionality. The more that you do, the quicker you’ll be up to speed and the more confidence you’ll gain.
Collaborate and Seek Guidance
If you already work as a manual tester, why not see if another tester is interested in a move into a test automation role. If someone is then propose working together on learning and developing some automated tests. Having someone to bounce ideas off will prove invaluable and will help develop your automation mindset.
If no other testers are interested in working with you then you could always approach a developer for assistance and guidance. Developers already have the programming skills needed for a test automation role, but they operate with a very different mindset. So, while they may not be the most suitable people to write tests, they’ll certainly be able to help you with your programming skills. They’ll probably also be able to give you guidance on how to build out an automation framework from scratch.
Conclusion
The move into a test automation role from a manual software testing role is a rewarding path that opens doors to exciting opportunities and challenges. Embrace the growth mindset, delve into programming languages and automation tools, and harness your domain expertise to bridge the gap between manual and automated testing.
Collaborate with experienced professionals, build your automation portfolio, and pursue relevant certifications. With determination and a passion for learning, you can confidently navigate this transformation and thrive as a successful software automation engineer.
