Will test automation eliminate the need for manual testers ?
There's a line of thought that suggests that increased test automation should be able to eliminate or reduce the number of manual testers. All i can say to this is - very untrue !
Automation test scripts are only as good as the tests they are based upon. Test development is done by manual testers who know the application and its dependencies thoroughly. The automation tool helps testers do their jobs better and be more effective. Testers use test automation to move away from performing mundane repetitive tasks including running the same set of tests across multiple platforms. Testers can thus focus on developing and executing more complex and useful tests.
Test automation scripts need regular maintenance to deal with changes and enhancements which in turn need testers assigned. Testers also need to regularly verify execution of test automation scripts, check failures, report issues and so on. All of this is manual work.
The role of the manual tester is important. The tester helps with test planning, identifying risks, requirements, designs and develops test scenarios and cases, specifies the test requirement to achieve necessary test coverage, helps determine what areas may be automated and which areas are not, write, maintain and manually execute the non-automated tests.
Automation does not eliminate or reduce the need for testers. Testers use automation to increase test coverage and perform more complex (and useful) scenarios that generate greater ROI from testing
There's a line of thought that suggests that increased test automation should be able to eliminate or reduce the number of manual testers. All i can say to this is - very untrue !
Automation test scripts are only as good as the tests they are based upon. Test development is done by manual testers who know the application and its dependencies thoroughly. The automation tool helps testers do their jobs better and be more effective. Testers use test automation to move away from performing mundane repetitive tasks including running the same set of tests across multiple platforms. Testers can thus focus on developing and executing more complex and useful tests.
Test automation scripts need regular maintenance to deal with changes and enhancements which in turn need testers assigned. Testers also need to regularly verify execution of test automation scripts, check failures, report issues and so on. All of this is manual work.
The role of the manual tester is important. The tester helps with test planning, identifying risks, requirements, designs and develops test scenarios and cases, specifies the test requirement to achieve necessary test coverage, helps determine what areas may be automated and which areas are not, write, maintain and manually execute the non-automated tests.
Automation does not eliminate or reduce the need for testers. Testers use automation to increase test coverage and perform more complex (and useful) scenarios that generate greater ROI from testing
