In my first blog in this series, I highlighted key business challenges that enterprises must address in order to maximise the value of test automation. (Read Blog 1 here). In this blog, I’ll share approaches to help respond to the business challenges around quality issues and the relevance of test automation in BDD (Behaviour Driven Development).
Let us look at the resolution to the challenges that we discussed in my earlier blog post.
Align business, dev and QA team
Overcome lack of clarity on business requirements
Make sure that business users, development and QA teams are in alignment with the outcomes of the project. BDD helps the team define the desired business outcomes. It aids with communicating the deliverables expected from the developer and those from QA teams.
Further, it helps set the context for the technical challenges that they might encounter. Refer to the diagram below for a graphic representation of how team alignment can be achieved.
Integrate QA in agile with automation
Ties Quality with Speed
According to Forrester, 42% of enterprises claim that they run Agile and DevOps programmes as a single transformation, to achieve end-to-end agility. Software is the key to making enterprises succeed through the release of quality software.
Enterprises can do this without sacrificing speed by making their testing practices more agile and effortlessly embedding testing and automation within DevOps practices. Only then can they achieve the desired quality, speed and business value.
Effective use of BDD
Avoid delays in involving users and testers
BDD augments Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD) by writing features/scenarios that become executable specifications and serve as a living documentation.
A living document is a dynamic method of system documentation that provides accurate and easy to understand information. An effectively executed BDD methodology will:
- Deliver business value
- Drive collaboration
- Increase communication
- Enhance software quality
The graphic below details a high-level software development process using the BDD methodology.
Minimise learning curve
Prevent technical complexity
By modelling requirements and system behaviour along with tool agnostic automation frameworks, teams can reduce the learning curve and their dependencies on expert technical skills.
In my next blog, I will share Mastek’s solution approach along with associated benefits.
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