By: Nextgen | On: Sep 04, 2023 | In: Blog Posts
In product development, where speed is king, quality assurance (QA) teams find themselves under increasing pressure. As test automation comes increasingly to the forefront, the need to strike a balance between rapid product releases and superior quality has never been more important. For QA or product development teams considering the switch to a test automation strategy, understanding the potential ROI is crucial.
Switching to automated testing boasts a range of key advantages:
However, making the case for automated testing still requires rigour and financial insight.
The ROI of your test automation investment isn't just a number; it's an indicator of strategic success. Proving this ROI becomes a central conversation when building a business case for the ROI of QA test automation.
To calculate ROI, we must weigh the costs of implementing product test automation against the accrued benefits. This equation can be outlined as:
However, this formula varies depending on company specifics. Savings are often measured in terms of QA time saved, while investments could fluctuate based on whether automation is in-house or outsourced.
Setting the right expectations is key. Initially, automation might appear costly due to financial, implementation and training investments. However, these costs tend to plateau with enhanced operational efficiency building over time. Conversely, the expenses associated with manual testing remain relatively constant.
ROI can be viewed from multiple angles:
While automation increases testing speed, manual testing, being comparatively slower, can inadvertently impact other sectors like sales or marketing. And as regression tests become more convoluted over time and product development lifecycle, they consume additional time when done manually, to the point at which all required regression testing may become manually impossible.
It's essential to acknowledge that automation isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Calculating both immediate and future ROI, maintaining automated tests, and ensuring robust documentation are key to avoiding potential pitfalls.
Guidelines for transitioning to automation:
When making the business case for investing in automated testing , it's important to consider these factors.
While making the case for test automation, transparency is key. Clearly detailing costs, processes, and the projected ROI can ease stakeholder apprehensions. Comprehensive documentation not only aids in procuring the necessary investment but also serves as an resource when the test automation strategy is implemented, safeguarding against knowledge loss and building a long term test automation resource.
As the momentum towards test automation grows, understanding and demonstrating its ROI becomes a central conversation for QA and product development teams. With the right strategy, tools, and foresight, test automation can prove to be a game-changer in product development.
Nextgen's ATAMConnect offers a streamlined codeless automation suite, accelerating stress testing by simplifying the creation and execution of tests. This enables QA teams to swiftly identify potential issues, reducing the product's time to market. Its user-friendly design caters to individuals across different technical backgrounds, promoting collaboration and lessening the reliance on specialised coding expertise. Discover more about ATAMConnect's advantages by exploring our case studies or contact us to chat with an automation expert.