The results of the testing process are delivered through test reports, and, just like the testing itself, reporting can also be automated. Automation of test reporting revolutionizes the way results are communicated, freeing testers from the burden of this tiresome repetitive task.
Read this article to understand how your company can benefit from automated test reporting and implement best practices to make the most of these reports.
Test reports and automated test reporting
Whether generated automatically or created manually, a test report is a summary of test findings and results aimed at communicating the testing process’s outcomes, with a particular emphasis on highlighting software defects to decision-makers, including testers, developers, and project managers.
Although manual test reporting often involves software, it requires manual effort from testers, while automation makes it possible to generate reports without human supervision.
The automated testing functionality is typically available as a component within a testing framework. In the case of comprehensive test automation solutions like Executive Automates for Microsoft Dynamics 365, this feature is built into the testing software. However, some frameworks require manual integration with automated reporting components.
Benefits of automating test reporting
Test reporting is a daunting and repetitive task prone to human error. It becomes even more resource-consuming if testers have to prepare reports for automated tests, which are performed much faster and in much greater quantities than manual tests. Below are some of the key advantages of implementing automated test reporting.
Accurate test reports with comprehensive metrics
The repetitive task of report creation significantly increases the probability of mistakes. Consequently, this decreases the credibility of test results and may necessitate retesting. On the other hand, automated report generation ensures that the test summary documentation includes only relevant and accurate information, covering the desired metrics.
Consistency in documentation
The absence of mistakes in reports and the unified structure of these documents help enforce consistency. This consistency makes it easier to understand and compare the results of test cases and refer to them in the future.
Time and financial savings
Automation allows companies to significantly reduce the time required for report preparation, providing testers with more time to focus on more complex tasks. This, in turn, leads to a considerable reduction in costs.
Streamlined communication
The rapid delivery of accurate and comprehensive test reports is critical for a prompt response from software developers. Faster issue resolution subsequently reduces costly downtime.
Efficient decision-making
Consistent, accurate, and timely reports are also essential for efficient decision-making, contributing to an overall boost in the company’s productivity.
Best practices for automated test reporting
Automation itself enables a company to generate faster and more accurate test reports, however, their value is determined by the report configuration established by a specific testing team. To ensure you extract the maximum benefit from test report automation, consider employing the following best practices:
Use comprehensive testing and reporting tools
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, it is highly recommended to deploy either an ultimate test automation software with built-in functionality for report automation, such as Executive Automats, or easily customizable frameworks that can be integrated with testing solutions.
Integration with the development process and CI/CD pipelines
Automation of test reporting supports integration into the development process and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Even if this functionality may not be required in specific business scenarios, it is essential to remember that it provides real-time insights into the software lifecycle.
Include relevant metrics
Some of the metrics used in automated test reports include:
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- Instructions and descriptions of executed test scripts;
- Number of executed test scripts;
- Number of test cases and their outcomes;
- Duration of test execution;
- Test results.
Customize reports for different stakeholders
While some metrics are considered standard for the majority of automated test reports, there may be specific requirements in the case of reports prepared for certain stakeholders. For instance, reports intended for managers or developers may cover different details.
Adhere to industry standards
Certain customization may also be determined by a specific industry, especially in industries with strict compliance requirements.
Regularly review and update
Testing environments, project requirements, or tools may undergo changes, and it is necessary to ensure that the employed reporting practices remain valid. Seeking feedback from the users of automated reports can also contribute to their improvement.
Avoiding common mistakes
In fact, many popular mistakes made in the automation of test reporting involve violating the best practices mentioned above, such as a lack of customization for different stakeholders, ignoring specific industry needs, and failing to cover all necessary metrics. Inconsistent naming conventions and neglecting report performance are other types of common mistakes.
Furthermore, not adhering to best practices can cause confusion among stakeholders and team members, affect the interpretation of reports, and reduce the effectiveness of decision-making.
Bottom line
Test reporting is a component of a software testing routine that can significantly benefit from automation. The repetitiveness of test reporting tasks, combined with vulnerability to human errors and high resource consumption, makes it much more profitable for companies planning to invest in automated testing to automate report generation as well.