In today’s rapid software development environment, keeping an effective test automation suite is crucial for the continuous delivery of high-quality software. TestRail supports teams in tracking and managing automated test cases, ensuring they remain aligned with application updates and business requirements.
Handling test case backlogs can be difficult, especially when it comes to tracking changes, updates, and specific details. The challenge intensifies when multiple teams share the backlog. By consistently monitoring automation progress, identifying coverage gaps, and optimizing the maintenance of automated test suites, testers and management can reduce unexpected issues and ensure more efficient testing processes.
Track and manage automated test cases (and candidates)
This task is already complex for manual testing, but with automated tests, the challenge increases. In TestRail, changes or updates become available after tests are executed and integrated using the TestRail CLI (TRCLI) or TestRail API.
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Whether you’re managing established automation suites or just starting with automation, tracking which test cases are automated and identifying candidates for automation is crucial. TestRail simplifies this through custom test case fields. In the Administration area, under the Customization section, you can create as many fields as needed to effectively manage and track your test cases. Below is an example of custom fields that can assist in managing your test automation backlog. As shown in the image, there are two custom fields:
- Is Automated (type: checkbox)
- Automation Candidate (type: dropdown)
Custom fields are highly adaptable and can be customized to meet your specific needs. For example, the configuration of the 'Is Automated' field is straightforward:
Here’s how the Test Case will appear when created or edited:
Once configured, these fields allow teams to:
- Identify automated vs. manual tests: these fields (or others that you might customize) play a key role in helping teams track which test cases have already been automated or not, freeing manual testers to focus on specific manual tests that need to be executed.
- Avoid duplicate efforts across manual testing and test automation teams: the information collected helps to reduce a duplication effort between teams, as it is easier to identify which tests are automated, which might be candidates (and might need support from the manual testing team to implement) and those that still require only manual execution. That way, testers can focus on specific testing areas where manual testing is still required.
- Filter test cases to focus on areas needing manual testing or automation expansion: by easily identifying which tests have been automated, manual testers will know which tests are already being executed as part of the automated pipeline (which can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, depending on each team organization).
If you choose to adopt the suggested fields (or create custom fields tailored to your needs), testers will be responsible for identifying tests that are good candidates for automation. They should update the relevant fields during reviews or test suite maintenance to ensure proper tracking.
By keeping fields up to date, testers help ensure efficient test execution while providing team leads with visibility into automation progress. This enables better resource allocation and prioritization of test coverage areas that require attention.
This data also provides valuable insights for management, helping them assess automation candidates and prioritize the most beneficial tests based on factors like frequency, stability, and business impact. It aligns automation efforts with organizational goals and supports informed decision-making, acting as a dynamic backlog to ensure continuous improvement in automation coverage and more efficient testing.
As applications evolve, the automation suite must be updated to avoid gaps in coverage or redundant tests. Testers should regularly update the test case fields when manual tests are automated, ensuring the test suite remains accurate and relevant. Proactively reviewing automated tests and updating TestRail information ensures that the suite stays aligned with the current application version. This also helps identify when updates are needed, reducing the risk of running outdated tests. Management can use this data to track when automated tests require updates in response to application changes and allocate resources to revise automated scripts as necessary. This ensures that the automation suite stays current and effective, preventing redundant testing or missed defects.
Cross-team collaboration is essential for successful automation efforts. manual testers, test automation engineers, and management all play distinct roles in this process.
Manual testers:
- Flag tests for automation and keep automation-related fields updated, especially during transitions from manual to automated testing.
- Work closely with automation engineers, guaranteeing that the automation suite is always improving and adapting to the needs of the business.
Test automation engineers:
- Rely on input from manual testers to identify the most impactful tests for automation.
- Plan and implement automation strategies effectively, allowing to maintain and expand the automation suite according to priorities.
Management team:
- Gain a high-level view of automation progress and opportunities.
- Ensure alignment with overall business goals, based on trustful information to assess the effectiveness of the automation strategy.
As a result, the management team can ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that automation efforts are on track with the needs of the business.
Key takeaways
- Regularly update the custom fields: Mark tests as automated or candidates for automation to maintain accurate tracking.
- Review information frequently: Regular reviews of custom fields can help to prioritize which manual tests should be automated next. Reviews should be driven by test execution frequency, stability, and business impact.
- Track changes: Both manual testers and test automation engineers should stay aligned with any changes to the application. Update automated tests as the application evolves to ensure relevance.
- Ensure cross-team collaboration: Encourage collaboration between manual testers, test automation engineers, and the management team, as this collaboration provides clear visibility into the automation status and backlog, providing important information to maintain workload and priorities.
- Prioritize automation based on value: Prioritize test automation efforts based on business needs, test coverage, and return on investment. Focus automation on tests that are high-value, repetitive, and, in some special conditions, prone to human error.
TestRail’s backlog fields are essential for enhancing the efficiency of test automation. They enable teams in various roles, including manual testers, test automation engineers and management, to track automation progress, identify coverage gaps and ensure that automated tests remain relevant as the application evolves.By using custom fields effectively, teams can streamline their test automation efforts, reduce manual testing overhead, and ensure that automation continues to add value to the testing process, ensuring that everyone is aligned in their goals and working towards continuous improvement in test automation.