A career as an Automation Tester has a lot of benefits, especially since it is a growing career field and is required by almost every firm. Automation testing helps a company reach a wide variety of audiences, doing it efficiently without using much time or money as it replaces manual testing though not entirely. It also helps do the testing of large-scale projects more effectively. So what exactly does an automation tester do? It ensures that the software works exactly how it’s intended to work and that any bugs shall be reported and repaired. But that requires certain skills that help the tester understand the software and applications.
1. Analytical Skills
This is one of the essential skills an automation tester must possess. They must have good analytical thinking and should be able to understand the possible and logical applications of the concepts. They must be able to determine the risk, have the ability to understand what’s causing them, and solve them to avoid any further risks.
2. Knowledge And Understanding Of Programming Languages
Unsurprisingly, applications and software are programmed using programming languages, and the tester must have a good grasp, understanding, and knowledge of the programming languages. Knowledge and understanding of multiple programming languages, which are popular and widely used, like Java, Python, etc., can be helpful for the career.
3. Functional Testing Skills
Knowledge and analytical skills are essential, but what’s their use if one cannot apply them practically? Along with these skills, the tester must have the knowledge and the required experience in functional testing, that too, manually. Good skills in manual testing are also important, as electronic equipment can break down or stop in between for various reasons. The skills add a lot of value to the tester and can be a game changer for their career.
4. Understanding Of The Automated Testing Tools
Automation testers must have good knowledge of the testing tools around them and must be well-informed regarding the tools and how to use them. Automated testing tools help in optimizing the entire testing process. With the presence of a variety of automated testing tools in the market, testers must know the basic usage of the tools and how they can be used to benefit the company. The tester must also be aware of which ones are the best in the market and choose the best-automated testing tools for the company. While this requires the tester to check and eliminate certain tools, they must be able to choose the right testing tool for the company.
5. Problem-Solving Skills
The technical knowledge of the automaton tester must be in-depth. During the testing process, testers would come across various situations where they would have to identify the problem, determine its source, and solve the problem. This requires technical skills and good command of automated testing tools. The tester must be able to make quick and right decisions and solve the problem efficiently. Also, using the correct tools for the problem must be one of the testers’ abilities. Good problem-solving skills during stressful situations and errors are a great benefit for the company as the tester can determine what things and steps must be followed to debug those errors and make the application run smoothly.
6. Time Management Skills
Time management skills are required everywhere, and automated testers are no exception either. Good time management skills always help in being productive, increasing efficiency, and meeting deadlines comfortably. A tester with good time management skills can easily prioritize their tasks and execute tests in the right order, which helps in identifying errors giving them enough time to debug those errors and solve them. The team must plan how they’ll perform tasks and within how much time they must be completed. This helps in keeping the flow of work smooth and efficient. Dividing work also helps the testers focus on small and particular sections, which increases productivity and workflow effectiveness.
7. Assessing And Mitigating The Risk
There’s always a risk during the testing process. A risk can be in any form, like a sudden change in the interface or a change in the results, etc. These types of risks aren’t planned and can happen anytime during the course of the automation testing process. This would lead to more time consumption and also more usage of money, thus not being efficient. So, the automation testers must be prepared for such a case of risks. They must have a backup plan in case a risk arises and thus must have a mitigation plan. The testers must immediately assess the risk, inform it and try to solve it as soon as they can. This can save time and additional costs. Early identification of a risk or problem is always a positive sign for the company as it saves a lot of time and money, and they do not have to repeat the entire process.
Conclusion
So these are some of the essential skills an automation tester must possess. These skills not only improve the tester as a professional but can also become an asset for the company by being efficient. Possessing these abilities is important for an automation tester’s career.
Author Bio:
Prashant Pujara is the CEO of MultiQoS Technologies, an eCommerce-focused Mobile App Development Company where you can hire app developers for your business. He is in charge of the company’s commercial and delivery operations and strategic planning and strategy.
