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Part 3 in the series: Moving from Test Automation to Intelligent Automation In part 2 of this series, Data Modeling and Referential Integrity, we explored GenRocket’s ability to reproduce the structure of any database, file format or data interface standard by importing a data model and establishing referential integrity between related data tables. This capability allows a data architect to establish a framework for testers to generate any volume or variety of test data that conforms to the structure of application data sources. In GenRocket’s component architecture, data tables are referred to as Domains while columns, are referred to as Attributes. In addition to data tables in a database, Domains can define any real-world object. Think of a Domain as you would a noun: a person, place or thing.

Test Data Generation (TDG) is the perfect companion technology for test automation. By their nature, test automation tools require that test data be provisioned at high velocity. With TDG, provisioning speed is not a problem because test data can be generated instantly when the automated tests run. With the help of TDG, realizing the full benefit of continuous testing can be a very achievable goal. However, transitioning from traditional test data provisioning to TDG can be perplexing. For many QA professionals, it’s something of a “where do I begin” dilemma. And it’s a classic change management challenge to overcome. Change is always difficult and the inertia of current practices can be hard to break. One of the principles of successful change management is to identify quick wins that establish early success and reinforce the team’s commitment to a new direction. Quick wins combine achievable outcomes and measurable benefits with the use of best practices that can be used and expanded over time. Selecting quick wins for TDG deployment should be guided by your test automation deployment. Which tests you choose to automate first will have a profound effect on productivity gains. Because some categories of testing provide greater ROI than others in terms of time and cost savings, it’s best to identify areas of testing where automaton and test data generation will have the greatest impact.

Seems like every QA organization is implementing test automation to make their transition to continuous testing. Continuous delivery (CD) is the “new normal” for software development and CD all but mandates the use of automation tools to replace manual testing processes. A survey of more than 1600 QA professionals in 60 countries conducted by QA Intelligence (commissioned by PractiTest) found that 85% of test organizations have introduced test automation into their operation in an effort to replace manual testing.

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