Common Mistakes in Test Automation

Automating the execution of tests is becoming more and more popular as the need to improve software quality amidst increasing system complexity becomes ever stronger. The appeal of having the computer run the tests in a fraction of the time it takes to perform them manually has led many organisations to attempt test automation without a clear understanding of all that is involved. Consequently, many attempts have failed to achieve real or lasting benefits. This paper highlights a few of the more common mistakes that have contributed to these failures and offers some thoughts on how they may be avoided.