Benefits of Automated Localization Testing
Localization is a complex process. It involves translating textual and multimedia content, adapting user interfaces, and even customizing colors. And while localization has specific goals, automated localization testing offers the same perks as AT of any other procedure:
- Speedier testing and accelerated SDLC.
- Increased test coverage.
- Test consistency and reusability.
- Cost reduction.
- Faster bug detection.
- Refined accuracy.
- Easier scalability.
But given localization’s unique purpose, we’d like to highlight the most significant advantages AT secures. And from our practice, three elements often go underrated.
#1 Quickly Securing the Basics
Localization automation testing is limited, so to speak. Because the machine brain can’t:
- Replicate the human experience of using your product.
- Fully grasp cultural contexts and nuances.
- Identify complex issues related to text rendering or layout adjustments.
Automation tools for localization testing can only tackle smaller problems, like:
- String testing.
- UI element verification.
- Or capture analysis.
But even so, it’s a tremendous help. AT lets you quickly check these tiny, pesky things and move on to bigger stuff. So, your QA engineers and developers don’t waste their time on these tests and can apply their expertise to aspects that matter more. In other words, your specialists don’t disperse their attention and center on value-adding tasks.
#2 Unloading the Team
Localization can put a strain on your team. Well, anything worth doing is often difficult. But the main point is that localization is unlike any other testing. Because not only do you have to learn as much as you can about a certain region, but you also have to translate this knowledge into technical aspects of a product.
Localization testing automation is sort of like a toddler in the kitchen. It won’t take care of slicing the meat. But at least you’re confident that edamame beans will be dealt with. Also, AT is not messy, unlike cooking with a kid.
Automation eases the pressure on your crew by handling some of the tasks. This means that your team has more time to develop and refine your project in meaningful ways (while AT peals the beans).
#3 Encouraging You to Work With Manual QA Pros
This point might be a bit controversial. But we see it as definitive clarity after accepting that some things automation can’t do. Once you realize that the power of automation tools for localization testing is finite, you’ll look for other ways to advance your project.
Most of the time, it’ll lead you to manual testing experts. In other words, by understanding that you can’t do without manual software testing, you’ll also gain the benefits it offers for localization:
- Nuanced language understanding.
- Superior UX evaluation.
- Impeccable cultural appropriateness.
- Creative adaptation of the product, and more.
Here, “you gain some, you lose some” doesn’t apply. Because you gain some and then gain some more.
Dos & Don’ts of Localization Automation Testing
All right, since automated localization should be applied so carefully, how do you know where exactly to implement it? Well, it’s a tough question to answer. Because AT here kind of goes against its principles.
Usually, we automate tests that are time-consuming or cover critical aspects. As it allows us to save time and confidently avoid issues in important components. But when you automate localization testing, you ought to go for simple tasks (instead of intricate ones, which is how it’s usually done).
Now, defining a “simple task” for an AT localization tool is tricky. It depends on what the testing software can do overall and what tests your team considers easy. So, our team has created this rule of thumb: if there can be no subjectivity present – automate it.
For example:
- Does this button work?
- Is explanatory text present in the form?
- Is this bit of info translated into Swedish, Spanish, etc.?
Briefly, in the above examples, the answer can be either yes or no. And that’s it. However, if subjectivity is a possibility – leave it to manual QA experts.
For example:
- Is this text properly adapted to our audience?
- Is this picture altered in a way that wouldn’t offend our customers?
- Does our layout conform to this user pool’s expectations?
These instances offer a degree of subjectivity. As one person can find the text acceptable, another may tell you that a particular country actually prefers longer sentences. And a third individual may tell you that the context and the message don’t match.
So, to sum up, when you automate localization testing, focus on “binary” tasks (with yes/no outcomes), leaving more complex aspects to human judgment and expertise.
What to Automate
Here are some of the cases where AT is ideal.
- Locale-specific formats – verifying that date formats, time formats, currency symbols, numeric separators, etc., are displayed correctly.
- Localization environment configuration – ensuring the app behaves correctly when configured with different language and regional settings, including language preferences, time zones, calendars, and cultural conventions.
- String testing – making sure that all text elements (menus, buttons, labels) are translated and no placeholder text remains.
- UI element verification – checking if buttons, menus, and forms function as intended (e.g., buttons triggering actions) across all languages.
- Capture analysis – identifying visual inconsistencies or potential text clipping issues across different languages.
- Basic compatibility testing – simulating device configurations and languages to identify basic compatibility issues with popular devices in target markets.
What Not to Automate
Now, let’s review aspects where automation should be an exceptionally rare “guest.”
Linguistic Quality Assurance
The only real advantage of machine translation is speed. But it’s not really worth it if you risk ending up with nonsensical text. For example, KFC’s slogan was once translated into Chinese as “eat your fingers off” (instead of finger-licking good). Human QA engineers are just better equipped to assess the quality of translations, including:
- Grammar.
- Syntax.
- Tone.
- Style.
- Idiomatic expressions.
- And cultural appropriateness.
Cultural Sensitivity Testing
QA engineers will better evaluate the cultural appropriateness and sensitivity of localized content. For example, the okay sign (👌) can be equated to giving someone the middle finger in Brazil. An automated tool might miss that if your product uses emojis or visuals. Generally, assessing cultural relevance involves subjective judgment and contextual understanding.
User Experience Evaluation
User experience is incredibly complex. Why? Because humans are incredibly complex. UX includes usability, clarity, flow, branding, emotional impact… Now, would you really entrust an AT tool to evaluate all this?
At this point, QA specialists are your best insurance against frowning customers. As only they can fully grasp issues related to:
- User interaction.
- Navigation.
- Layout.
- Visual design.
- Content presentation, etc.
And as the world fawns over the fourth industrial revolution, time and time again, we come to the conclusion that humans are superior (for now, at least).
Contextual Understanding
AI, specialized tools, and expert software have access to all the info in the world. Yet, only a person can authentically realize the context in which translations appear. They can identify contextual errors, ambiguities, or inconsistencies that automated tests may overlook.
Because it’s not about something being right or wrong. It’s about how it feels. When it comes to how we perceive a product, the rules aren’t black and white. Not even shades of gray. Only a person can take apart the “rainbow” of your service and rearrange it in a way fitting for a special audience.
Visual Inspection
AT can verify basic UI functionality. But can it tell, for example:
- How readable is the font?
- How suitable is this color scheme for a specific region?
- How well will this design perform with offline functionality and low-bandwidth optimization?
Automation tools for localization testing follow a predefined protocol. Yet, only a human QA specialist can think outside the box, dig deeper, and take that extra step for awe-inspiring impact.
How to Automate Localization Testing
When some think about automated testing services, they imagine everything being taken care of by software. While a machine runs all the tests, the team puts their energy into whatever’s needed. But that’s not how it is. To make AT work for you, you need to work for it first.
At some point in the future, we won’t need to worry our heads about all this. Alas, for now, people are the apex thinkers. So, we ought to direct how an automated tool will function. And it needs lots of “context” to operate productively.
Analyze the Product
- Identify UI elements containing text, dates, currencies, and images. This will help you quickly grasp what to pay attention to.
- Inspect the technical architecture to understand how localization changes will be implemented.
Define the Test Scope
- Determine which aspects of localization to automate.
- Prioritize tests based on risk and impact.
Select the Frameworks & Tools
- Choose automation frameworks compatible with your product’s technology.
- Select tools that correspond to your localization needs.
Prepare the Documented Strategy
- Create a document outlining the overall testing approach, tools used, and expected outcomes.
- Define clear pass/fail criteria for each automated test.
Prepare/Review Manual Test Cases
- Identify existing manual test cases eligible for automation.
- Refine and adapt them for use within the automated framework.
Set Up the Testing Environment
- Configure the testing environment to support different locales and languages.
- Ensure data is available for testing in various locales.
Write & Set Up the Scripts
- Develop automated test scripts using the chosen framework.
- Integrate with localization tools for automated verification.
Run the Tests
- Execute the automated test suite across different locales.
- Monitor test execution and identify any failures.
Generate & Share Reports
- Generate comprehensive reports detailing test results, pass/fail rates, and identified issues.
- Share reports with stakeholders for informed decision-making.
Maintain the Test Suit
- Update test scripts as your project’s or localization requirements evolve.
- Address newly identified bugs and adjust test coverage accordingly.
Tips for Automated Localization Testing
The staple of nearly all our articles – wisdom nuggets from specialists at our QA company. This time, we asked the team that not just performs but lives by localization testing services what advice they would give to businesses that want visionary localization. Here’s what they said.
- Write modular test scripts that can be easily adapted for different languages and functionalities.
- Utilize external data files containing test cases and expected results.
- Integrate visual testing tools to automatically check UI layout and element rendering.
- Collaborate with linguists or translators during test case design to ensure proper cultural context and terminology accuracy are captured within the automation.
- Begin by automating core functionalities and high-risk areas. Once you gain confidence, gradually expand the test suite.
- Utilize tools that allow you to run tests in parallel across different locales.
- Never underestimate manual expertise. It’s the only thing that can truthfully evaluate certain localization aspects.
Do note that you don’t have to feel pressured about implementing these localization tips. Always focus on your budgets and resources. Plus, it’s always better to tailor any insight or best practice to your project.
Tools for Automated Localization Testing
Most localization tools have specific purposes. In other words, just a few of them can cover all your localization needs. So, when preparing to use AT tools, be ready to combine a couple of them. Just focus on your team’s comfort when using those and prioritize options that can handle a decent amount of your project’s demands.
Phrase
Phrase is a comprehensive localization management platform (LMP). And it caters to the entire localization workflow. It boasts a user-friendly translation editor, built-in quality checks, collaboration tools, and powerful APIs for integration with other systems.
Lokalise
Lokalise is a cloud-based LMP that provides a suite of tools for managing the localization process. It offers features like continuous localization, real-time previews, API integrations, and integrations with popular testing frameworks like Selenium and Appium.
XTM Cloud
XTM Cloud is an LMP offered by XTM International. It provides a feature-full translation management system, terminology management tools, and integration with machine translation services.
Applitools
Applitools is a popular visual testing tool that can be incredibly useful for automated localization testing. It automates visual verification of UI elements, ensuring that localized versions of your application maintain the intended layout and appearance.
Crowdin
Crowdin is among the leaders in localization testing on G2. With it, you can set up automated workflows to trigger tests upon translation completion or deploy localized versions for testing. You can also use its built-in LQA tools for automated checks on spelling, terminology, and placeholder detection. Plus, it integrates with visual testing tools for automated UI verification.
To Sum Up
Automation and localization testing have a love-hate relationship. localization wants to be with QA engineers but knows that AT makes it better. So, to make sure this “couple” doesn’t create a black hole that sucks in your user satisfaction and profit – keep it balanced. Use automation where it’s really needed, and don’t deprive localization of the human touch.
You can always turn to the QA Madness team to figure out how to make automated localization testing harmonious.
