Top 11 Test Automation Trends in 2023

The rapid pace of technological advancements has transformed the landscape of software development and the approaches to testing and quality assurance. Test automation has become a key element in the pursuit of accuracy and efficiency as companies strive to produce high-quality software in ever-shorter timelines. It’s essential to stay informed of the latest trends that are shaping the future of test automation. This article gives the most prominent test automation trends. 

3 Technologies increasing the level of test automation

1-Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in testing

AI and ML are becoming more integrated into test automation tools, improving their ability to analyze results, predict potential issues, and generate more sophisticated test scripts (See Figure 1).

Source: Osprey Data¹

Figure 1: AI & ML models

For those interested, here is our article on AI in software testing and machine learning in test automation.

2-Synthetic Data (AI-driven synthetic data)

Synthetic data, artificially generated data using AI-driven techniques, can play a significant role in test automation. It can help create diverse, comprehensive, and realistic datasets that can be used to validate software functionality, performance, and security without relying on real user data. 

3-Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA tools automate repetitive, rule-based tasks to increase efficiency and reduce human error. They can be used in the testing process to automate simple yet time-consuming tasks like data entry and report generation.

Source: Google Trends

Figure 2: The interest in RPA testing is expected to reach its highest levels ever. 

9 approaches shaping how and where test automation is implemented

4-Shift-left testing

The shift-left testing approach involves early and often testing in the development cycle, ensuring defects are identified and resolved immediately. The shift-left testing trend is expected to grow in popularity, focusing on integrating testing into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.

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5-Test Environment as a Service (TEaaS)

Cloud-based testing environments are becoming more popular as they enable efficient resource allocation and provide on-demand access to various environments and configurations. With the aid of TEaaS, businesses can scale their testing infrastructure as necessary without having to deal with the expense of maintaining physical hardware.

6-Codeless test automation

Codeless test automation tools enable non-technical users to create and maintain automated tests without requiring extensive programming knowledge (See Figure 3). These tools use a visual interface and generate test scripts using a user-friendly drag-and-drop approach, making them more accessible to a wider audience. 

Figure 3: Codeless Test Automation Components

Read our article on low-code test automation tools to choose the best tool for your organization.

7-Mobile and IoT testing

As mobile and IoT devices become increasingly prevalent, the need for specialized mobile testing tools and frameworks to accommodate these platforms will continue to grow. Incorporating mobile and IoT testing into test automation helps ensure an optimal user experience across various devices, platforms, and connectivity scenarios. Doing so allows organizations to identify and address usability, compatibility, and performance issues before they affect end users.

8-Performance testing

With the increasing importance of application performance and security, organizations will focus more on incorporating performance and security testing into their test automation efforts. 

Performance testing is vital in the software development lifecycle because it assesses the application’s ability to handle user traffic, data processing, and resource utilization under various conditions. A well-performing application translates to a better user experience, crucial for customer satisfaction and retention. 

9-Security testing

By performing security testing, organizations can identify vulnerabilities in their applications, infrastructure, and processes and address them before they can be exploited. This proactive approach helps protect user data, maintain compliance with regulatory standards such as GDPR and HIPAA, and foster trust between the organization and its customers.

10-Cross-functional testing teams

Organizations are increasingly forming cross-functional testing teams with a mix of developers, QA engineers, and other roles working together to improve testing efficiency and effectiveness.

Cross-functional testing teams can significantly improve test automation by combining diverse skill sets, perspectives, and expertise. This collaborative approach fosters a holistic understanding of the application, enabling the identification of potential issues early in the development process. 

11-Integration with other tools and frameworks

Test automation tools will continue to improve their integration capabilities, allowing seamless collaboration with other software development and testing tools. Achieving integration with other tools and frameworks in test automation involves a combination of strategies and best practices that promote seamless communication and collaboration between various components of the software development lifecycle.

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1. “AI/ML Models 101: What Is a Model?” OspreyData