Павло Сафонов - Як оцінити ефективність автоматизації

Summary

The speaker shares a humorous anecdote about preparing for a presentation, emphasizing the importance of proper lighting and effective storytelling techniques. He then delves into evaluating the efficiency of test automation, covering key metrics such as test frequency, success rate, execution time, and user adoption. The speaker stresses the significance of making automation accessible and trusted by the entire team, positioning it as a reliable source of information akin to media outlets. Throughout the lighthearted narrative, the speaker imparts practical insights and strategies for achieving efficient and impactful test automation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The goal of test automation is to provide reliable information about the build status as quickly as possible.
• 🔑 Test execution frequency is a key metric - tests should be run as frequently as possible, ideally on every build.
• 💚 A high pass rate (ideally 80-100%) for test runs is desirable and indicates an effective test automation process.
• ⏱️ Test execution time should be minimized, aiming for under 30 minutes for rapid feedback to developers.
• 👥 Involving as many team members as possible in using the test automation is crucial for its effectiveness.
• 📊 Metrics like test coverage, defect detection rate, and manual vs. automated test execution can be used to demonstrate the value of test automation.
• 📢 Act as an ambassador for test automation by sharing success stories and promoting its benefits within the team.
• 🔁 Techniques like parameterized tests and randomizers can help mitigate the "pesticide paradox" and improve test resilience.
• 🤖 Leveraging tools like AI-generated images can aid in making presentations more engaging and effective.
• 🎯 Clearly defining the goals and metrics for test automation is essential for measuring its effectiveness and driving continuous improvement.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The main topic of the presentation is measuring the effectiveness of test automation and discussing various metrics and approaches to achieve efficient test automation.

What is the primary goal of test automation, according to the presenter?

The primary goal of test automation, as stated by the presenter, is to provide reliable information about the state of the build as quickly as possible.

What are some of the metrics mentioned for evaluating the effectiveness of test automation?

Some of the metrics mentioned include: frequency of test execution, success rate of test runs, execution time of tests, code coverage, and the number of people using the automated tests.

Why is it important to run automated tests frequently?

Running automated tests frequently is important because it allows you to gather up-to-date information about the latest build and identify issues promptly. The presenter recommends aiming for a coefficient of less than 1, meaning running tests more frequently than once per build.

What is considered a good success rate for test runs, according to the presenter?

For end-to-end tests, the presenter considers a success rate of 60-80% to be reasonable, while for unit, integration, or API tests, a success rate of 80-100% is recommended.

Why is execution time of tests important?

Execution time of tests is crucial because developers and QA professionals are unlikely to use automation if the tests take too long to run. The presenter suggests aiming for test execution times under 30 minutes to encourage wider adoption.

How can involving more people in using test automation increase its effectiveness?

Involving more people, such as developers, managers, and analysts, in using test automation can increase its effectiveness as it ensures that the provided information is trusted and acted upon. The presenter emphasizes being an ambassador for test automation within the team.

What is the purpose of comparing manual testing efforts with automated testing efforts?

The purpose of comparing manual testing efforts with automated testing efforts is to demonstrate potential cost savings and justify the investment in test automation. However, the presenter cautions against relying too heavily on this approach, as it may not accurately reflect the true benefits of automation.

What is the presenter's view on using BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) and keyword-driven automation?

The presenter believes that using BDD and keyword-driven automation is generally ineffective for test automation. He suggests that these approaches often fail to automate effectively and instead provide a layer of abstraction that does not contribute to genuine automation.

How does the presenter recommend dealing with flaky tests?

The presenter acknowledges the challenge of flaky tests and suggests using techniques like parameterized tests and randomizers to mitigate the pesticide paradox. However, he emphasizes the importance of minimizing the number of flaky tests through proper test design and maintenance.