In software development, all components of an application are typically highly interdependent. Even the slightest change may lead to potential disruptions to other components of the system. Therefore, every time a change is introduced, it is essential to test the application to ensure the reliability of the new release.
As software applications become more complex, traditional testing approaches, often involving only manual methods, become inefficient. In this case study, we explore how we helped our clients improve their product quality and streamline the release process by implementing test automation.
Background
Our client is a US-based company that specializes in providing online trading services. The company operates in a highly competitive and dynamic market, where the timely deployment of reliable, secure, and bug-free functionality is crucial to maintaining market leadership.
To expand their project, the company relied on several Scrum teams to develop and implement different features and enhancements. However, coordinating the efforts of these teams and integrating their modifications into production was quite challenging.
Recognizing the need for a more efficient approach to streamline the development lifecycle, the company decided to enhance its testing processes and implement test automation.
Challenge
Although having multiple teams allowed for more focused development, it also posed several challenges for the company:
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Coordination of multiple teams. Every team operated independently, focusing on specific areas of the platform such as user registration, Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, and fund calculations. Even though this approach had its benefits, it also made it difficult to effectively manage and coordinate their work.
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Integration complexities. Integrating changes from multiple teams often with interdependent components was also a complex process, requiring careful consideration to prevent conflicts, regressions, and disruptions in the new releases. Any changes made by one team could potentially affect the work of another, and this had to be taken into account to ensure that the platform remained functional and efficient.
Solution
To overcome these issues, we implemented the following strategies:
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Combining automated testing pipelines with manual testing. We established a unified quality assurance approach across all Scrum teams. This approach emphasized the standardization of test practices, which involved the combination of manual testing at the team level, along with further implementation of automated testing pipelines to ensure smooth integration of modifications into production.
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Test results analysis. The meticulous analysis of test results from both automated and manual testing helped to proactively identify issues and errors, promptly diagnose their root causes, and address them in a timely manner.
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Transparent release documentation. To facilitate smooth releases and ensure transparency, we helped develop release documentation that documented all changes, enhancements, and bug fixes implemented in each release. This documentation served as a reference for development teams allowing them to make informed decisions on whether to proceed with a release or not, taking into account the identified issues.
Benefits
The implementation of these strategies has led to several positive outcomes:
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Streamlined release process. Detailed release documentation has brought visibility into changes introduced and issues encountered during each release process. This helped to significantly improve the release process and facilitate smooth deployment.
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Proactive error identification. The structured approach to testing processes allowed teams to identify and address issues proactively before they could impact end users or disrupt operations. Automated testing pipelines played a crucial role in this case, flagging potential issues early in the development cycle and reducing the risk of post-release bugs.
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Enhanced product quality. The combination of automated and manual testing ensured comprehensive test coverage of new functionality, which resulted in higher product quality and reliability.
Closing thoughts
Embracing test automation in the development workflow allowed our clients to transform their approach to quality assurance, which eventually improved overall development efficiency. By uniting test automation pipelines with the best practices of manual testing, the company was able to seamlessly integrate modifications and ensure a high-quality product launch. As a result, these initiatives not only improved the testing efficiency and product quality but also enhanced collaboration and transparency across the organization.