Test automation (automated testing, AT) and continuous testing (CT) are the same thing in the sense that both of them can supercharge your development and business. But as practices, they’re like a carp and a shark – both are fishes, but you’d never confuse one with the other.
There are a few reasons for automation and continuous testing being lumped together sometimes. Yet, this article isn’t about that. Today, we’ll dissect these two concepts to understand their differences, unique benefits, and which one suits your project better.
Continuous Testing
The main cause for the confusion between continuous testing and automation is that AT is an integral part of CT. But that’s like saying that a platypus is a duck because it has a bill.
Definition & Purpose
Continuous testing is a practice where software is tested continuously throughout the entire SDLC. Instead of dedicating a specific time to QA activities, tests are run from the moment the smallest functional code is delivered, all the way to the maintenance stage. This test execution constancy lets you:
- Identify and address defects as early as possible in the development cycle.
- Provide rapid feedback about the quality of the code.
- Evaluate the potential risks associated with changes in the software in real time.
- Enhance the overall coverage of tests across different app layers.
- Support rapid and reliable delivery by reducing bottlenecks and delays.
- Maintain and improve the overall quality and stability of your product.
- Foster better communication and collaboration among teams.
CT as a technique came together with DevOps and Agile. It sought to overhaul traditional approaches to testing and bring forth a new way of development – a faster, quality-oriented way. Continuous testing in e-commerce has been especially successful. It allowed giants like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart to redefine “efficiency”. And today, around 50% of businesses use its principles.
Key Benefits
When it comes to what CT can do for you, well, the list of continuous automated testing values is quite big. But we’d like to highlight one that seems the most impressive to us as a QA company.
Over 60% of companies using continuous testing have seen significant improvement in software quality.
We may be a bit biased. Quality is our passion, after all. So, now let’s get to the other advantages of using CT.
- Proactive issue resolution.
- Faster feedback.
- Better team collaboration.
- Improved test coverage.
- Reduced risks.
- Accelerated release cycles.
- Higher quality software.
- Continuous improvement.
- Refined testing process.
- Reduced technical debt.
- Easier scalability.
- Faster time-to-market.
- Lowered development costs.
- Higher customer satisfaction.
- Prompt adaptation to quality and market trends.
Try saying all that in one go. That’s how continuous testing’s values might leave you – breathless. But of course, CT’s perks don’t come on their own.
Core Components
Unlike automation, continuous testing needs bigger modifications in your project to work. That’s probably why AT is more widespread as a practice. But we actually consider this push to change essential. With how things are progressing in the IT ecosystem, soon, those who don’t take a step forward will fade into the background.
CT wants you to adapt. And that’s the only option for those who want to stay ahead and thrive. Now, here’s what you need to implement continuous testing:
- Continuous automation testing to run scripts repeatedly, reducing manual effort and speeding up the testing process.
- Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) to automatically validate code changes as soon as they are made.
- Shift-left testing to move testing earlier in the development process.
- Test environment management to regularly configure environments that closely mirror production.
- Test data management to create and maintain realistic test data that reflects actual usage scenarios.
- Risk assessment to identify and prioritize high-risk areas in the codebase.
- Monitoring and reporting to observe and document the system in real time to quickly address defects.
- Close communication between development, testing, and operations teams to continuously improve processes and outcomes.
These development shifts can be challenging to organize. And before you set out to implement them, be sure to hire QA engineers and specialists who can make it happen for you. The lack of skilled experts is the top roadblock to using CT to its full potential. That’s why you need to be sure that you have the right team for the task.
Automated Testing
AT is the most prevalent practice in software development and the most sought after of QA services. It’s been around for a while and has proven itself as invaluable.
Definition & Purpose
Automated testing is the application of tools to execute predefined cases without human intervention. So, you create a test script, give it to specialized software as instructions, and it runs the test for you. The main purpose of automated software testing services is to reduce your reliance on manual QA. But it also aims to:
- Speed up the testing process by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks.
- Ensure more comprehensive testing by executing a larger number of test cases.
- Reduce human error by using automated tools.
- Support frequent code integration and deployment by providing quick feedback.
- Allow testers to focus on complex tasks by automating routine checks.
Notice that AT doesn’t strive to “replace” manual software testing. That’s something a lot of companies desire. But it’s just not possible. Automation is for efficiency. Manual QA is for refined quality.
For example, exploratory or usability testing simply shouldn’t be automated, as their entire point is to use human perspectives and creativity. That’s why you’ll always need manual testing services. The only thing you can change is how you use them.
Key Benefits
When it comes to continuous testing vs test automation advantages, AT primarily builds on what you have. In other words, where CT can bring something new to your project, automation improves your processes.
- Faster test execution.
- Advanced test coverage.
- Improved testing accuracy.
- Cost efficiency in the long run.
- Reusability of test scripts.
- Quicker bug detection.
- Better team productivity.
You might notice that AT has fewer perks than automated continuous testing. But, as our team always says: “Quality over quantity.” It’s not a numbers game. Both practices offer impressive values. And you just need to decide what you want to get from either of them.
Companies using automation can achieve nearly 80% fewer production errors, 25% lower testing costs, and over 60% faster release time. So, yeah, AT isn’t “inferior”. It’s just different.
Core Components
If we’re talking about continuous testing vs automation testing’s simplicity, the latter is definitely more straightforward. AT doesn’t require a particular environment, so to say, to work. But it does need specific support.
- Clear testing strategy to define which tests to automate and based on which factors.
- Right tools and frameworks to support the platforms and environments in which the app operates.
- Robust test environment to secure consistent test execution.
- Maintainable test scripts to ensure that your automated, continuous testing is still effective over time.
- Effective test data management to supply consistent, accurate, and up-to-date data.
- CI/CD to run tests automatically with each code change.
- Monitoring and reporting tools to gain insights from test failures, performance issues, and problematic areas.
- Collaboration and communication to establish common goals and objectives for the team.
And, of course, AT calls for a good team. Specialists who will set up and run it need to be skilled at both manual and automated testing. They also need good programming knowledge. But such experts can’t do everything automation-related. So, you’ll also benefit from test data managers and (surprise) manual QA professionals. Manual testing is more time-consuming. That’s why it needs a dedicated agent or crew.
Continuous Testing vs Test Automation: Key Differences
Not every fish is a mackerel, but every mackerel is a fish. That’s how it is with continuous integration and automated testing. CT always comes with AT as its core component. But automation can exist outside of continuous testing.
Now that we’ve reviewed both practices separately, let’s place them next to each other and review their core differences.
Scope & Focus
- Continuous testing encompasses the entire SDLC, running tests continuously as part of the CI/CD pipeline. It aims to provide continuous feedback on code quality and software behavior.
- Automated testing involves automating individual test cases or suites to supplement manual QA. It’s primarily concerned with the efficiency and consistency of executing tests, often in isolation from the broader SDLC context.
Timing & Integration
- Continuous testing integrates with CI\CD pipelines and runs checks automatically at frequent intervals (nearly all the time).
- Automated testing can be executed independently of continuous integration processes. Tests are executed based on predefined schedules or triggers. Automated tests might run during specific phases like nightly builds or pre-release.
Team Involvement
- Continuous testing requires collaboration among developers, testers, and DevOps teams, emphasizing a cross-functional approach.
- Automated testing mainly involves test automation engineers and QA specialists who develop and maintain the test scripts. Developers might also write unit tests or integrate automated tests into build processes.
Accuracy & Risks
- Continuous testing aims for high accuracy by continuously validating code changes. It requires robust test data and environments, as false positives/negatives and data overloads may occur due to frequent modifications.
- Automated testing provides consistent execution of tests, reducing human error. The accuracy depends on the quality of test scripts and their alignment with current app behavior. The main risks in AT include test maintenance challenges, script failures due to application changes, and potential for outdated tests.
Role in Quality Assurance
- Continuous testing plays a proactive role by providing ongoing feedback and stable quality throughout the SDLC.
- Automated testing supports quality assurance by automating repetitive and regression tests. It complements manual testing by providing reliability and speed.
Tools & Infrastructure
- Continuous testing needs a combination of CI/CD tools, test automation frameworks, monitoring software, and continuous automation testing platforms. It requires a robust infrastructure to support continuous integration and testing.
- Automated testing relies on test automation tools and frameworks that focus on executing and managing automated test scripts. Infrastructure needs may be less extensive compared to continuous testing.
In short, CT is a broader approach that integrates testing throughout the development lifecycle. And AT is about efficiently executing specific tests.
Continuous Testing vs Automation Testing: When To Use Which
You don’t really have to work on a specific kind of project to use either continuous or automation testing. However, there are some aspects in which these practices work best.
Continuous testing brings the most value for:
- Agile and DevOps environments.
- Fast-paced development cycles.
- Complex apps with intricate dependencies and interactions.
- High-risk projects, such as financial systems or healthcare applications.
- Projects that involve frequent releases or updates.
Automated testing will be more than worthwhile when you deal with:
- Regression testing to verify that previously fixed bugs remain resolved.
- Repetitive test scenarios to reduce the time spent on manual testing.
- Stable features for reliable validation.
- Performance testing to cover load, stress, and scalability tests quickly.
- Cross-browser and -platform testing to promptly test across multiple environments.
To sum it up, use CT when you need ongoing validation and AT for advanced efficiency, consistency, and coverage.
Choosing Continuous Testing vs Automated Testing: What to Consider
Apart from what you want CT or AT to do for your project, you should also consider a few things. Specifically, what you can do for automation and continuous testing.
Development & Testing Processes
Assess current testing and development processes to determine how continuous or automated testing can enhance or fit into them.
Resource Availability
Ensure that the team has the skills and expertise for implementing and maintaining CT and AT. Consider the cost of tools, infrastructure, and resources. Continuous testing may require more comprehensive infrastructure and tool integration compared to standalone automated testing.
Tooling & Infrastructure
Evaluate whether existing tools support continuous testing and integrate well with CI/CD pipelines. For automated testing, ensure the tools are compatible with the technology stack and test requirements.
Test Types & Coverage
Determine whether you need broad coverage across multiple environments and scenarios (continuous testing) or focused, efficient testing for specific functionalities (automated testing).
Maintenance & Upkeep
Continuous testing requires ongoing maintenance of the test environment and integration points. Automated testing needs regular updates to test scripts and environments. You should also assess how well each approach scales with project growth. CT is designed for scaling within CI/CD environments, while AT scales by adding or updating test cases.
Overall, before you decide to stick with test automation or continuous testing, consider whether you have what these practices need to operate productively.
To Sum Up
Continuous testing and automation bring remarkable advantages to your development. And which one you choose doesn’t matter as much as how you implement them. And this is the big similarity between CT and AT. Both practices need a skilled, knowledgeable team. With that, we can help.