Test automation – which tool is right for me?

The need to introduce test automation into a project has increased enormously in recent years. Due to the increased presence of test automation, the selection of a test automation tool is also becoming more and more the focus of science.

Erzsébet Nicole Harmat, who works in quality management at iSYS, developed a methodology for the systematic selection of a test automation tool for a software development project as part of her bachelor’s thesis. Specifically, she demonstrated her concept using the example of the web client prototype of the VerwalterService 3 (VS3) property management software, which iSYS developed as a client-server application back in 2003 on behalf of Hausbank München eG.

The aim of the final thesis was first to present the current state of research based on a scientific literature search including grey literature. In the next step, a methodology for selecting a test automation tool was designed. The core of the methodology is the creation of an individual, project-related catalogue of criteria. This serves as the basis for evaluating the test automation tools. The results, which are calculated on the basis of a formula designed in the methodology, show the extent to which a test automation tool fulfils the requirements placed on a test automation tool by the project.

The result of the empirical study shows that the test automation tool from QFS is recommended for use in the VS3 project in the selected practical example. Their product QF-Test is an established software for test automation for Java, web and Windows desktop applications with a graphical user interface. QF-Test has been on the market for 20 years and was developed by Quality First Software GmbH, based in Geretsried.

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