A Guide to Implementing Success-Driven Functional Automation Testing

Everyone says that automated testing is expensive. Yet, at the same time, you can’t afford not to use it. You certainly should consider the costs involved. But more attention should go to what happens when your project is devoid of automation. So, today, we discuss its application in the most profit-driven area – functional automated testing.

What Is Functional Automation Testing?

Let’s avoid fancy term descriptions and focus on what’s important.

Functional testing means checking whether a product does what it should. For example, when a user clicks “Add to cart,” the app should include the selected item in the personal account. To check this functionality, you open the application, add a product to the cart, and see what happens. That’s how you’ll know whether this feature works.

Functional testing automation follows the same principle. But it uses tools and frameworks to streamline this process. Instead of performing the described action over and over again, you can just create a test script. After that, you’re free to run it whenever and however many times you need.

So, the entire repetition aspect is gone. This means that:

• Your team isn’t burdened by mundane tasks.
• Testing itself is much quicker.
• The results are more accurate as the possibility of human error is gone.

From a technical POV, functional test automation does the same thing as manual checks.

• Ensures the software aligns with business needs and functional specifications.
• Confirms it behaves as expected under various conditions (normal and edge cases).
• Validates end-to-end workflows to ensure all integrated components and processes function correctly together.

But if we’re talking team and business benefits, oh, the differences are astonishing.

Increased efficiency and speed:

• Functional test automation tools execute checks faster than manual efforts
• Continuous automated execution translates to faster feedback loops and issue identification.

Accuracy and reliability:

• Scripts eliminate human errors, ensuring the same steps are performed every time.
• Consistent results and standardized reports allow for better analysis and decision-making.

Enhanced test coverage:

• Automation supports testing larger numbers of scenarios in less time.
• It enables comprehensive functional test coverage across different configurations.

Faster time to market:

• Reduced testing cycles save time in repeated runs.
• Parallel test execution allows running multiple cases simultaneously in various environments.

Cost savings (surprise!):

• Automation handles increased workloads without proportional cost increases.
• Automated functional testing’s reusability also allows for better planning and reduced manual efforts.
• Minimized manual labor and improved test reliability translate to long-term expense reduction.

With all that, it’s no wonder that QA functional testing is most often the first candidate for automation. These checks cover critical features and need regular validation. So, there’s no reason not to make functional tests faster and more precise. But, of course, there’s a “but.”

Manual Functional Testing vs Automation Testing

Automated testing strives to fully replace manual checks. And while companies rush after the benefits of automation, they forget about the unique values of manual QA. Even our god and savior, AI, can’t replace it (for now, at least).

So, we do encourage you to use automation for functional testing. But you should keep in mind that you should be careful with it. Because in the current IT era, automated and manual tests serve different purposes.

• Automated software testing services act as product and process boosters.
• Manual QA leverages human insights to add an extra layer of quality to your project.

Let’s break this down.

Functional Manual Software Testing

Most often, manual functional checks are used for working with new or unstable features. You can’t apply automation to them yet. So, manual QA takes center stage here. It’s also the only way to uncover unexpected behaviors and cover extremely complex scenarios.

In these cases, manual QA offers the following perks:

• It’s easier to adapt to changes or explore edge cases.
• There’s no need for setup or scripting. You can start testing immediately without investing much.
• Testing is more user-centric, allowing QA engineers to think and act like real users.

Yet, these advantages come at a price:

• Executing the same tests repeatedly takes significant time and effort.
• Mistakes can occur, especially with repetitive tasks.
• Testing a large number of scenarios or configurations manually is challenging.

And that’s exactly why the use of manual QA should be rather limited. Yes, it gives you what automated testing never can. But it’s also slower and comparatively more error-prone.

Automated Functional Testing

You can use automation for a lot more. But it works best with repetitive checks, such as regression. You can also apply it for large-scale testing, like cross-browser testing. And use it in data-driven testing and CI/CD workflows to streamline development.

Overall, functional automation testing services have many values to offer:

• It delivers the same results every time, avoiding human errors.
• You can execute tests much faster and run many of them at once.
• Automation also reduces costs for repeated testing during development cycles.
• Plus, it allows your team to focus on other, more complex tasks.

Of course, automated testing isn’t perfect. It also has its drawbacks:

• Requires time and expertise to write and maintain test scripts.
• Cannot handle unexpected issues or exploratory testing.
• Relies on specific tools, which might have limitations or require investment.
• There’s always the risk of overusing automation. And that could open a huge can of mutated worms.

And that’s exactly why the use of automated QA should be limited (oh, deja vu). But really. Let’s take a look at functional automated UI testing. It could perfectly handle checking the functionality of buttons, links, and forms. Now, let’s step into a user’s shoes for a second.

• What if they accidentally press “Pay” two times?
• What if their device crashes while they’re completing an order form?
• What if they’re using two devices to fulfill the same order?

It’s an anything-can-happen world. And unexpected scenarios are something automation isn’t capable of dealing with. The point is, functional testing needs manual and automation testing. This mix of the two approaches is the difference between a high-quality and an alright project.

How to Use Automated Functional Testing

Automated functional testing services are incredibly versatile. You can apply them in tiny doses or overhaul every one of your processes. But there are some restrictions. They don’t curb automation’s effectiveness but help you avoid resource wasting and quality drops.

For example, some functional testing services can be automated only slightly. Let’s consider exploratory tests. They rely on human creativity and intuition to find odd mistakes (or features) in a product. Yet, some aspects of such randomized discovery can be automated. For instance, you can use AI tools to suggest exploration vectors, generate data, or simulate user interactions.

So, you’re automating a human-driven area to ease a QA engineer’s work, not replace it. The point is that you shouldn’t automate for the sake of automation. It should be applied only where it creates specific benefits. And yes, in some cases, functional automation testing can become a genuine hindrance.

Consider localization testing. You can automate language translation, switching, and text truncation and overlaps. But if we’re talking content appropriateness or cultural sensitivity, that’s a job for manual QA.

Overall, you’re free to automate whatever you want. Yet, you should really consider whether automation in this or that case is beneficial to your project.

From our experience, we can highlight precise characteristics that make scenarios ideal candidates for automation:

With that in mind, let’s review possible uses of automated functional testing across domains. By the way, you can also treat the below sections as checklists.

E-Сommerce Applications

• Adding/removing products, validating item quantity, and ensuring accurate price calculations.
• Payment gateway interactions, transactional operations, and error handling.
• Tracking order status from purchase to delivery, verifying status updates.
• Stock updates when items are added or removed from the cart or purchased.
• Registration, login, password reset, and profile updates.
• Search results’ accuracy, filters, and sorting functionality.
• Adding/removing items to/from the wish list and checking persistence across sessions.
• Currency switching and price conversions based on current exchange rates.

Banking & Financial Services

• Fund transfers, deposits, withdrawals, and proper transaction logging.
• Account balance updates after transactions.
• Processing of amounts, fees, and confirmations.
• Payment flow, bill amounts, payment confirmation, and transaction history.
• Adding/removing assets, portfolio updates, and performance reports.
• Application process, including form validation, document uploads, and approval notifications.
• Loan application, validation of input data, loan approval, and rejection workflows.
• Multi-factor authentication, password recovery, and login attempts.

Healthcare Systems

• Registration with various input data, including validations for medical history.
• Scheduling, rescheduling, canceling appointments, and validating time slots.
• Creating, updating, and retrieving patient records securely.
• Claim submission, approval/rejection, and status updates.
• Prescription creation, approval, and integration with pharmacies.
• Lab result generation and reporting to patient profiles.
• Bill creation, payment processing, and verification of amounts.
• Adherence to healthcare regulations like HIPAA through data access and security checks.

Enterprise Resource Planning

• Inventory updates, order placement, and delivery tracking.
• Employee onboarding, payroll processing, and leave management.
• Report generation accuracy for income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow.
• Stock tracking, inventory adjustments, and reorder level alerts.
• PO creation, approval, and vendor notification.
• Asset addition, depreciation tracking, and asset retirement processes.
• Lead creation, sales tracking, and customer communication workflows.
• Data visualization, reporting accuracy, and integration with underlying systems.

Content Management Systems

• Article or page creation, validation of input fields, and saving drafts.
• Content approval, scheduling, and public release.
• User role assignments, access restrictions, and permissions for editing/publishing.
• Media upload, categorization, and retrieval.
• Template creation, editing, and deletion, ensuring correct layout application.
• Validation of meta tags, keywords, and SEO-friendly URLs.
• Language-switching functionality and content localization accuracy.
• Content version tracking, rollbacks, and comparing changes.

Travel & Booking Systems

• Booking flow for flights, hotels, car rentals, and ensuring confirmation emails.
• Availability checks for dates, locations, and booking limits.
• Price changes based on date, availability, and customer preferences.
• Adding/removing items, viewing details, and exporting itineraries.
• Review submission, approval, and display on product pages.
• Booking payments, refunds, and cancellation charges.
• Points accumulation, rewards redemption, and member notifications.
• Integration with third-party providers for services like flights, hotels, and activities.

Educational Platforms

• Course selection, registration, payment workflows, and confirmation emails.
• File uploads, submission confirmation, and deadline tracking.
• Grade entry, calculations, and grade report generation.
• Progress tracking functionality, completion percentages, and milestone updates.
• Video playback tests, buffering, and quality adjustment features.
• Creating, replying, moderating posts, and verifying notifications.
• Question generation, answer submission, grading, and feedback display.
• Certificate creation upon course completion, including correct name and completion data.

Mobile Applications

• Testing on different OSs (Android/iOS) for consistent behavior.
• Notification receipt, display, and interaction from the app.
• Functionality in offline mode, including data caching and syncing.
• Location-based features like maps, geofencing, and check-ins.
• Purchase flows, including payment confirmation and receipt validation.
• Login, sharing, and integration with social platforms.
• Synchronization of data between devices or with the cloud.
• Measuring the app’s impact on battery usage and testing during idle and active states.

IoT Applications

• Device addition, validation, and configuration via app/portal.
• Data collection from sensors and verifying data transmission and storage.
• Device control, including on/off, settings changes, and diagnostics.
• Correct processing of sensor inputs and thresholds.
• Real-time alerts and notifications based on sensor data or system status.
• Firmware deployment, device reboot, and verification of updates.
• Synchronization between devices or hubs within the IoT network.
• Encryption, authentication, and secure data transmission.

Social Media Platforms

• Sign-up, log in, password recovery, and two-factor authentication.
• Content creation, posting, and visibility on the feed.
• Changes to user privacy settings and ensuring correct access control.
• Friend requests, follower management, and interaction features (e.g., follow/unfollow).
• Content flagging, review, and removal workflows.
• Sending, receiving, and notification of messages.
• Uploading, sharing, and viewing of photos/videos within the platform.
• Report generation for user activity, content performance, and engagement.

HR Management Systems

• Employee registration, document upload, and workflow progress tracking.
• Leave requests, approval workflows, and updates of leave balances.
• Performance evaluation creation, feedback collection, and report generation.
• Payroll generation, tax calculations, and disbursement verification.
• Benefits enrollment, updates, and eligibility verification.
• Clock-in/out functionality, time-off requests, and attendance monitoring.
• Job postings, applicant tracking, and interview scheduling.
• Document uploads, retrieval, and version control.

Supply Chain Management

• Order placement, approval, and shipping initiation.
• Stock updates, reorder levels, and product availability checks.
• Supplier registration, order management, and communication.
• Calculation of shipping costs based on weight, destination, and carrier.
• Product inspection, defect reporting, and quality checks.
• Return requests, approval, and stock updates.
• Warehouse receiving, packing, and shipping processes.
• Route planning, delivery time optimization, and tracking updates.

As you can see, with functional test automation, the possibilities are endless. You don’t even have to automate a lot to start getting certain benefits. The key is to make sure that there are actual perks coming from your automation strategy.

Automated Functional Testing in Agile

Continuing with the theme of using automation correctly, we should mention its role in Agile. For most projects, automated functional testing is certainly optional. But for Agile, it’s mandatory. It’s the practice that enables fast and flexible development.

• OScripts run right after a code change. And developers immediately know if something is broken.
• Automated tests are built into the CI/CD pipeline. So, code is tested constantly as it’s being developed. In other words, there are system disruptions.
• As new features are added, automation makes sure that older parts of the software still work as expected. Hence, it upkeeps product stability.
• Automation removes the need for repetitive manual tests. And your team can focus on more complex tasks. Simply put, the development speeds up without compromising quality.
• Automated tests are created before the code and are based on acceptance criteria. They become a shared resource that everyone on the team can use. Developers, QA engineers, and product owners can rely on them to make sure the software meets its goals.

In standard projects, automation can be introduced whenever you want. And you can apply it to any degree you wish – in bits or as a complete overhaul. Automated functional testing in Agile, however, needs to begin simultaneously with the project. Without it, the entire process would fall apart.

• Introduce automation early. As soon as development begins, consider which tests can be automated.
• Make sure the scripts align with user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Integrate automated tests into your CI/CD pipeline to ensure that tests are run automatically whenever new code is committed.
• Ensure that developers run tests as part of their daily workflow, not as a separate phase.
• Don’t overcomplicate tests or create too many of them. Targeted and organized scripts will be easier to maintain.
• Regularly review and update tests to reflect changes in features, user stories, and code.
• Encourage all agents and stakeholders to collaborate to identify valuable automation areas.
• Track the success of automation by monitoring metrics like test coverage, pass/fail rates, and time saved.
• Use this data to make informed decisions about how to improve the automation process.

Overall, if you’re working on an Agile project, functional automation testing isn’t something to consider. It’s something to implement right away.

Implementation Tips & Best Practices for Automated Functional Testing

Now, let’s chat about practices that advance your automated testing no matter the project. Over the years of working with diverse niches and products, our QA engineers have gathered real-world insights. So, the following tips are battle-tested.

• Set clear goals for your tests, focusing on critical scenarios that matter most. Make sure the goals are measurable (e.g., ensure core functionality works) so you can track success.
• Choose a functional test automation framework with reusable components, easy configuration, and version control. This will make your tests easier to maintain and scale.
• Design tests to be small and independent from one another. Ensure they handle errors well and use separate data for each test to avoid conflicts.
• Generate smart test data that reflects real-world usage. Manage different states for tests and make sure data is cleaned up afterward. Be mindful of security, too.
• Provide clear, real-time test results. Track trends over time and analyze test failures to spot patterns. Summarize key results for decision-makers to quickly understand test progress.
• Automate your tests to run as part of the build process. This helps you get quick feedback on code quality and keeps the development process smooth.
• Regularly review your test code and update documentation. Manage technical debt by optimizing tests and fixing any performance issues that arise.
• Automation should complement manual testing, not replace it. Manual testing is still needed for exploring new features or complex scenarios that can’t easily be automated.

Most importantly, remember that high-quality functional automation testing needs high-quality skills. So, we’d say that your priority should be assembling or hiring a team that can set up, support, and maintain automated tests consistently.

Choosing Automated Functional Testing Software

Functional test automation tools will be at the core of your strategy and success. And you should take their selection carefully. When choosing your helper software, the priority shouldn’t be good reviews or popularity. Instead, we recommend focusing on the following:

1. The features of the tool and whether they’re able to cover your needs.
2. The user-friendliness and learnability of the tool to make sure your team doesn’t suffer when working with it or takes extra time to figure it out.
3. The ability of the tool to integrate and coexist with your existing workflows.
4. The scalability and adaptability of the tool when your project changes or grows.

These four aspects should be at the core of your selection process. But, of course, you definitely should read up on the software’s reviews. And you might want to evaluate the community behind it. It could be a simple and quick way to troubleshoot any potential issues.

Functional Test Automation Frameworks

First, you’ll have to choose your framework. It’s basically a manual that tells you how to best apply your automation:

• How to write and perform tests.
• The input values you’ll be using.
• The tools it supports.
• The tracking and reporting features you can rely on.

Overall, functional test automation frameworks provide you with guidelines and resources. And you can pick one that best suits your project.

• Data-driven frameworks separate data from test logic. With them, you can write one script and feed it different data instead of writing a new case for every input.
• Keyword-driven frameworks let you write test cases without needing programming skills. The test script reads action keywords and performs the corresponding operation. For example, instead of writing an entire script, you can select the action you want a tool to perform, like “Click”. The program will recognize the marker and automatically act on it.
• Behavior-driven development frameworks focus on cross-team collaboration. They prioritize writing scripts in simple, natural language everyone can understand. The point of such frameworks is to give everyone the opportunity to participate in quality-related procedures.
• Hybrid frameworks combine elements from two or more other testing frameworks. It offers a great deal of flexibility. It also lets you quickly adapt to project changes.

Regarding the last framework, it seems to be the obvious choice. It includes all the good stuff from other frameworks. But you should remember that exactly because of that it’s also more difficult to work with. Plus, every project is unique. And sometimes, such an amalgamation of qualities is redundant.

So, center on what a framework can do for your product specifically. Don’t get lost in what it does overall.

Automated Functional Testing Tools

Now, we’ll take a look at a few tools. They are not arranged in any particular way. These are just some options our team worked with and thinks can be useful. So, treat this list as an opportunity to window shop. Review what functional test automation tools can offer and what to expect from them.

Selenium

Selenium is an open-source tool for automating functional tests for web apps. It supports multiple programming languages and works across major browsers. With its ability to execute parallel tests, cross-browser testing becomes a breeze.

Katalon Studio

Katalon Studio is an all-in-one testing platform for web, mobile, desktop, and API testing. It’s beginner-friendly with a simple interface. Yet, it also offers advanced scripting options for experts. And its pre-built keywords, detailed reporting, and seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines make automating test cases much easier.

TestComplete

TestComplete is designed specifically for functional UI testing. It simplifies automating functional tests by supporting over 500 UI controls and working with dynamic or complex interfaces.

Appium

Appium specializes in automating functional tests for mobile apps. It supports native, hybrid, and mobile web apps, allowing you to write tests in your preferred programming language.

Robot Framework

Robot Framework uses a keyword-driven approach. It works well for testing web applications and other systems. With its large library ecosystem, Robot Framework is a flexible choice for functional testing needs.

Ranorex Studio

Ranorex Studio is a robust tool for automating functional tests for desktop, web, and mobile apps. It offers codeless test creation via a record-and-playback feature. And it caters to advanced users with its full coding IDE. Plus, Ranorex provides reliable object recognition and thorough test coverage.

Tricentis Tosca

Tricentis Tosca focuses on automating functional tests using a scriptless, model-based approach. It supports a wide range of applications and ensures comprehensive functional testing. Some of its greatest features are risk-based test prioritization and advanced analytics.

Watir

Watir is a simple yet powerful tool for automating functional tests on web browsers. It interacts with web elements just like a person would, fostering user-centricity. Its integration with behavior-driven development tools makes it a great choice for functional testing.

LambdaTest

LambdaTest is a cloud-based platform that automates functional testing for web apps. It uses Selenium to run tests across different browser and OS combinations. It’s ideal for ensuring your web app works in diverse environments and integrates with CI/CD workflows.

UFT One

UFT One is a tool for automating functional tests for various app types, including enterprise-grade software. It also has AI-powered features that simplify testing complex interfaces.

And remember that you don’t really have to settle on one tool. You’re free to combine them to cover different needs. Of course, working with a singular option is much easier for your team and testing management. But if it compromises the quality of your product – it’s not worth it.

Making Functional Automation Testing Easier

Automated functional testing is, frankly, a lot. Every aspect involved in it, from locating expertise to building a strategy, is challenging. And combining all these aspects into a coherent roadmap is a task to behold. We’ve worked on many projects. For none of them automation was easy.

But it doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Tons of apps completed their goals and created memorable products. What allowed them to do it? Skilled people. Skilled people are the nucleus of a successful app. If you have expertise on your side, then it’ll deal with whatever curveball automation can throw at you.

So, if you feel a bit overwhelmed with everything we’ve discussed so far or need a bit of help – don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.

There’s always some hesitation when it comes to outsourcing. But it’s already among the most popular business practices, especially in IT. Here’s why.

• Outsourcing connects you with professionals experienced in creating and managing automated functional tests. They know the best tools, techniques, and practices to ensure thorough and efficient testing.
• External teams often have pre-built frameworks and libraries tailored for automated functional testing. Anat that significantly speeds up test creation and execution.
• Outsourcing eliminates the need to invest in expensive tools, infrastructure, and in-house training. Most QA vendors already have access to the required testing tools and environments.
• With an outsourced team, you can scale your testing efforts up or down as your project demands. This flexibility is particularly helpful for large-scale functional testing.
• With outsourcing, your in-house team can focus on building and improving your application while experts handle the testing process.
• QA partners often provide round-the-clock testing support. So, your functional tests can run continuously, ensuring quick feedback on application performance.
• They also offer an objective take on your project. And this fresh perspective can help you find new ways to advance your development.

Overall, QA outsourcing follows Occam’s razor principle. It’s a simple solution for a myriad of complicated problems. And from a business POV, it gathers everything you might need in one place. From talent and tools to guidance and tiny improvements – there’s nothing you’ll be lacking.

Just remember that if you’re planning on working with a QA partner, you’ll have to choose your provider wisely. And it’s indeed not simple. Luckily, we already have a complete guide to help you with that.

To Sum Up

Functional testing is the backbone of every project. And it would be silly not to strengthen it with automation. Faster workflows, better quality, and continuous improvement – these are only a few of the perks. Of course, the good stuff doesn’t come on its own. There’s a lot of work to do. And you ought to do it with utmost care and precision.

So, if you’re looking for experts who’ll give your project the quality it deserves – the QA Madness team is always here.