Automation frameworks are handy tools for streamlining the test development process and creating a repeatable and reusable test process. They make automation testing much easier and more effective as they allow for automated execution of a functional test suite, which leads to repeatable results used to verify the quality of the software under test. 

These frameworks come equipped with plenty of features, such as test runners, action recording tools and reporting output, to help us automate even the most exigent of tests. 

Not only does it help to improve test execution consistency, but it also increases the efficiency of the Quality Assurance process. Selecting the best framework for your organisational needs will help ensure your tests are reliable, repeatable and fit for purpose.

In the following guide, we will elaborate on Frameworks 101s, the components of test automation frameworks, the types and reasons to choose them, and which framework might suit you best.

What is a Test Automation Framework and Why Is It Important?

Firstly, let us take a look at what a test automation framework is before we discuss them in more detail. 

A Test Automation Framework is a set of tools, processes, and best practices that enable software testers to create and execute automated tests effectively. These frameworks provide a structured approach to developing, maintaining, and running automated tests efficiently.

By having an established test automation framework in place, organisations can save time and money while assuring the quality of their software products.

Test Automation Frameworks: The Main Components

Test data management and test assertion libraries are 2 essential components of software testing frameworks. Managed test data ensures the automated tests have the necessary inputs for comprehensive testing coverage. Test assertion libraries are collections of reusable functions, classes, and methods that can be used to compare expected test results with actual test checkpoint output.

Let’s explore each one of these notions in more detail!

Test Data Management (TDM)

Test Data Management (TDM) is a crucial process that enables testing teams to create, manage, and deliver test data for automated testing in an organised and efficient manner. This is especially important as application teams have traditionally manufactured data for development and testing in an isolated and unstructured fashion. TDM makes certain that the data is organised and up-to-date, allowing application teams to test their applications with the most reliable and accurate data.

Extracting data and harnessing useful information during software testing automation can be a complicated process, but this challenge can be overcome with a strategic test data management approach. Suitable data availability when executing tests is a frequently encountered issue for devs and testers.

As organisations strive to increase agility, speed to market, and cost efficiency, test data management (TDM) has emerged as a critical business enabler. Many companies have put more emphasis on Agile and DevOps methodologies in recent years.

By consolidating TDM activities into a single unit, IT organisations can gain efficiencies and scale, becoming more agile and cost-effective.

A software testing team needs a testing framework equipped with the necessary structure to simplify test data management and use. Effective test automation frameworks will make use of both pre-determined data for specific scenarios and also test data generated during execution, such as a randomised customer name or address.

To effectively manage your test data, focus on these areas:

• Delivery of data: Eliminate the time-consuming process of manually delivering data to developers and testers.

• Quality of data: Ensure high-fidelity test data representative of real world customers and products

• Security of data: Ensure data is stored securely but is easily accessible

• Framework cost: Lowering infrastructure costs through the use of TDM efforts that automate, optimise, and standardise the processes associated with test data management.

Testing Libraries

Embracing an effective testing process is essential for maintaining a high-quality product. To ensure an effective testing process, it's vital that tests are well-defined and organised. We can use various testing libraries for different tests, such as unit, integration, end-to-end and behaviour-driven development. With the proper library, you can ensure your testing process is thorough and efficient.

Unit Testing: Unit testing libraries are essential to any quality driven code development. Developers use unit tests to keep units of code clean, concise and free from unintentional regression as software development continues with multiple developers. Unit testing libraries have been available for most programming languages for many years. Some of the more popular options are JUnit or TestNG for Java, NUnit or xUnit.NET for C, and QUnit, Mocha, Jest, Ava and Jasmine for JavaScript.

Integration Testing: Integration testing is an essential process for ensuring the quality of an application when components talk to each other - either internally or externally. It involves writing code that is both concise and readable and is an integral part of making sure our software functions as intended. Unit testing is a form of software testing which helps to identify bugs in each unit but it is also crucial to test the integration between units of code alongside any external dependencies to ensure that the application works holistically. 

Integration testing differs from unit testing because it uses frameworks distinct from those used for unit tests. Unit tests are used to determine the functionality of a code module before integration. Integration tests are used to test multiple components at once and are often more time-consuming.

Behaviour-Driven Development: BDD typically focuses on complete functional stories or user journeys. Scenarios or test cases are written in an easily understandable, common business facing language. It also allows for features of expected behaviour to be converted into code, thus helping to keep the code and supporting automated tests consistent with the company's application vision and functional requirements. It also provides a great source of up to date ‘living documentation’.

Types of Test Automation Frameworks

1. Linear Automation Test Framework

Linear scripting is a process that involves recording each step of an automation process. This is also known as the Record and Playback framework and can take considerable time to execute. It does not require automation expertise and can be a simple way to record a script, however, it does not allow for successful script reuse. 

Despite these drawbacks, linear automation test frameworks are an introductory-level testing approach that does not require custom code, making it an ideal choice for testers who are not yet experts.

Pros: With linear automation, you can quickly record an end to end user journey as a test. There is no need to write custom code and have a team of expert coders.

Cons: Some disadvantages of linear automation are that it has single-use, needs extra maintenance and can provide redundant content.

2. Modular-Based Test Framework

The Module-Based Testing Framework requires the creation of separate scripts for each application module, with varying levels of complexity, to generate the best results from automation tests.

This provides a cost-effective way of managing the test framework, as combining several modules allows for a high level of modularisation, thus improving productivity.

However, the test data may require significant time and effort to modify if the need arises. Modular testing breaks each test case into smaller pieces before taking an incremental or non-incremental approach. This allows each test to be conducted independently, making identifying and addressing any issues easier.

Pros: The ability to use previous tests as building blocks for future ones is a big pro of the Module-Based Testing Framework. It’s scalable, reusable and efficient.

Cons: There are fewer options for customisation and it uses technical knowledge only some have access to.

3. Library Architecture Test Framework

A library architecture framework is a valuable tool for testing applications of various types, such as company-wide, shared, and hybrid applications. This framework, also known as Structured Scripting or Functional Decomposition, works by first identifying tasks that share similarities within the test script. These tasks are then grouped by function, with the library storing all the sorted functions for the reusability of code across different test scripts. The framework is typically initiated by recording the test scripts using the Record & Playback method. The main test script, the Driver, calls the functions differently to create the test cases. This library architecture is an effective and efficient way to test applications of all kinds.

Pros: Can be reused quickly, the investment costs will be low, and its scalable design allows for broader use across departments.

Cons: A Library Architecture Test Framework requires more development time and a high level of technical knowledge to build. While it is complicated, it will provide you with a more engaging experience in the long run.

4. Keyword-Driven Test Framework

A keyword-driven test framework is a tool that helps separate script logic from test data, allowing it to be stored externally. This framework also stores keywords associated with actions testing a GUI as part of the test script. These keywords associate an object or an action with the script and can be reused across different test scripts, promoting reusability. This framework comprises a testing script and an external data source.

Pros: Keyword-Driven feature tests are reusable and scalable, allowing for easier maintenance and more opportunities for test use.

Cons: One of the main cons is that it requires a lot of development effort and may take significantly more time to upskill testing resources.

5. Data-Driven Test Framework

Generally speaking, test data is typically read from external files such as .CSV, .XLS, .TXT, ODBC Sources, DAO Objects and loaded into variables within the test script. A framework like this can execute tests with different sets of test data. This framework separates test script logic from the data being tested. The information can then be reused to facilitate various testing scenarios with the same code. By varying the data, testers can modify the testing scenarios, thus ensuring the reusability of the tests.

Pros: Your team has the option to create a more flexible and scalable testing framework. The data-driven test framework includes a short setup time, advanced functionality and is easy to troubleshoot.

Cons: Excessive data driving of tests whilst increasing coverage can result in significantly longer run times and a loss of critical focus on tests that really have more value than others.

6. Hybrid Test Framework

The Hybrid Testing Framework is the ideal automation framework, combining all the benefits of both data-driven and keyword-driven frameworks to maximise their effectiveness. This type of framework is beneficial as it helps to correct the weaknesses of each framework while providing increased flexibility and improved efficiency. 

With its combination of data-driven and keyword-driven framework benefits, devs and testers get the best of both worlds, allowing for a more comprehensive and efficient testing process. Selenium, Appium and UFT are examples of hybrid frameworks that incorporate the best data-driven and keyword-driven framework aspects.

Pros: Scalability, reusability and increased scenario coverage - remote teams can co author tests and extend re use quickly

Cons: Requires testers to embark upon a coding journey. Maybe that should be seen as a positive?

Types of Test Automation Frameworks: At a Glance!

Why Do We Need a Test Automation Framework?

The tech world is ever-evolving, and all products are transitioning towards an automated build and release approach, further fuelling the need for test automation frameworks. With proper planning and execution, test automation frameworks can offer several advantages.

Simultaneous Testing

Simultaneous testing is an excellent advantage of using test automation frameworks. With automated test scripts, testers can quickly run tests on multiple devices or browsers and generate comparative test reports, saving time and effort. It also helps to ensure that the tests are conducted in the same conditions and parameters, generating more consistent and reliable results.

Resources Optimisation

Test automation frameworks can help maximise your business' resource utilisation as testers are upskilled and the overall cost of testing can be reduced.With the right framework, the cost and time of building test cases for new features are minimised. Additionally, these frameworks provide processes that match requirements with the most suitable tech, allowing for higher adoption flexibility. 

Reusable Automation Code

Co-located teams can work together and make use of each others’ already created code methods for common user flows on the application. When UI aspects change, a well-implemented framework ensures that fixes to UI elements need only be made in a single place.

Higher Testing Volume

Test automation frameworks are beneficial for increasing the volume of testing we can conduct. For example, with the emergence of new mobile devices regularly, it is not feasible to manually test them all. However, with automated testing, testers can run tests on multiple devices simultaneously, making the process much more efficient.

Remote and Continuous Testing

Continuous testing is essential to the continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment process. With the help of a test automation framework, it is possible to run tests continuously and remotely. This allows for tests to be run in the background and for the results to be ready upon return.

Additionally, it eliminates the need to buy multiple devices for testing. Continuous testing is a crucial part of the agile software development lifecycle, as it ensures that only working code is shipped as quickly as possible. With the help of a test automation framework, it is possible to create and automatically execute tests, making continuous testing a reality.

Which Testing Framework to choose?

Now that you know the advantages of test automation frameworks, how can we select one? To find the most suitable solution, there are several aspects to consider: 

- identify the requirements of your testing process that require automation. 

- gain a basic understanding of your testing process. 

- research and explore the various software options available to meet these needs. 

Criteria for choosing the best framework for your project:

Low-code or Full-code: Whilst there is always truly some code, as far as the user is concerned, no-code tools will completely obfuscate any recorded testing journey code behind a simple UI for creating, managing and running tests.

Low code frameworks like Test Evolve Spark act as an accelerator to generating tests very quickly with recorders, but still offer the user a means of diving in and refactoring the code that is produced.

Full coded frameworks will essentially consist of the necessary configuration files, runners, reporting mechanisms and libraries necessary to run a test, but testers themselves will need to script the application test flow navigation and checkpoints from scratch in an IDE using their language of choice.

Cross-platform/Cross-device: Which operating systems and devices does your application run on? Are you building for both web and mobile? Different user systems require support from different frameworks. Choose a framework that supports your application technology as well as the operating systems, browser, browser versions and devices of your real world users.

Budget awareness: The common decision to be made is do we build or buy? There are a multitude of automation frameworks on the market - some open source, some licenced but with regards budget, organisations would do well to take a longer term view over and above simply initial investment.

Well implemented test automation absolutely lowers an organisation’s total cost of ownership and will also improve both the productivity and the skill sets of your testers. Yet you won’t qualify this in the first couple of months, more likely the first couple of years. Productivity will be immediate but positive budget impact will take a little longer to quantify.

Conclusion

Maximising testing effectiveness can be challenging for enterprises, but test automation frameworks offer a solution. By creating a standardised approach to testing, these frameworks can help reduce the time, effort, and cost of software testing and increase the productivity of the development team. 

Investing in a testing framework can make a massive difference in the testing process and the quality of the application, resulting in better outcomes, faster results, and a happier team! 

Choosing the proper software testing framework is an important decision that should be taken seriously. It is essential to take the time to research and compare the different frameworks available to ensure that the one chosen offers the most value for your project.

Transitioning to a new framework can be challenging for testers with limited knowledge in this area, so it is vital to make your decision sooner rather than later. As a developer, investing time in this process is paramount to ensure that the framework chosen is the best fit for your project.