Case Study: How Automated Regression Testing Saved 100+ Hours

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced software development landscape, ensuring that applications function seamlessly while accommodating frequent updates is paramount. Regression testing, which ensures that recent changes haven't adversely affected existing functionality, can be a tedious and time-consuming task. However, with the advent of automated regression testing, organizations can drastically reduce the time and resources allocated to this crucial process.

In this case study, we delve into how an organization leveraged automated regression testing, specifically through the use of Cursion's QA testing platform, to save over 100 hours in their development cycle. By incorporating this innovative approach into their workflow, the company was able to enhance their software's quality while accelerating release timelines and improving team collaboration.

The Challenge

1. High Demand for Rapid Releases

The organization's development team faced immense pressure to deliver new features quickly while ensuring that the existing system remains stable. Every feature update had the potential to impact previously stable functionalities, making regression testing an essential part of their development process. However, the traditional manual regression tests were labor-intensive and time-consuming, posing a significant bottleneck in their release cycles.

2. Manual Testing Limitations

Manual regression testing requires meticulous attention to detail and consumes extensive hours. Stakeholders were concerned about the increasing time spent in testing phases, which delayed deployment and hindered the overall productivity of the development team. Frequent updates to the product were risking quality, with some releases resulting in unexpected bugs and glitches.

3. Resource Constraints

The manual testing team was relatively small, which made it even more challenging to manage the volume of testing needed for every iteration of the software. As the product evolved, it became evident that traditional testing methods were unsustainable, and the team needed a more efficient solution.

The Solution: Automated Regression Testing with Cursion

1. Introduction to Cursion

Cursion is a revolutionary QA testing platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to automate various testing types, including visual regression, performance, and functional testing. By integrating Cursion's capabilities, the organization sought to streamline their testing processes and enhance the quality of their software.

2. Implementing Automated Regression Testing

The first step the organization took was to collaborate with Cursion to establish a comprehensive strategy for implementing automated regression testing. By analyzing their software's architecture and current testing workflows, the team created a customized automation plan tailored to their unique requirements.

3. Key Features of Cursion Utilized

• Visual Regression Testing: By automatically capturing visual snapshots of their application, Cursion allowed the team to quickly identify discrepancies that may arise from new code changes. This visual aspect of regression testing not only improved detection rates but enhanced the team's confidence in the overall stability of the application.

• Performance Testing: Cursion's analytics tools provided insights into performance metrics, helping the team focus on potential performance degradation areas even before any user feedback.

• Functional Testing: Cursion automated the validation of core functionalities, ensuring that critical user journeys remained unaffected after each sprint. This capability contributed significantly to increasing speed while maintaining accuracy.

The Implementation Process

1. Preparation and Training

Before the actual implementation, the teams underwent training sessions provided by Cursion's experts. This training ensured that the testing personnel were familiar with the platform's features and functionalities, thus maximizing the efficiency of the automated tests.

2. Initial Automation of Critical Paths

The team began by identifying critical user paths that required rigorous testing. These paths were essential to the application's core functionality and, therefore, needed regular regression validation. Using Cursion, they automated the regression tests for these critical paths, allowing them to focus on more complex scenarios that required human intervention.

3. Gradual Expansion of Test Coverage

Once the initial set of automated tests was established, the team gradually expanded their coverage. Leveraging Cursion's AI capabilities, they identified areas where additional testing could be beneficial without duplicating their efforts. This focused expansion of automated tests contributed significantly to efficiency gains.

The Results: Saving Over 100 Hours

1. Quantifiable Time Savings

After the integration of Cursion's automated regression testing platform, the organization quantified a time saving of over 100 hours in their testing cycles over just a few releases. The initial phase of automating critical user paths alone accounted for a significant portion of these savings.

2. Enhanced Test Coverage

The automated testing methodology enabled the organization to dramatically increase their test coverage. With Cursion, tests that would have required extensive manual intervention could now run automatically on every deployment, allowing the team to detect issues early.

3. Improved Quality and Performance

The quality of the software improved significantly due to the thoroughness and speed of automated regression testing. The organization reported a reduction in post-release defects by 75%, leading to improved customer satisfaction and decreased support burden from the development team.

4. Greater Collaboration and Morale

With the automation of regression testing, the testing team was able to redirect their focus toward complex scenarios and exploratory testing. This shift not only improved the team’s morale but also fostered better collaboration between developers and testers. The expedited process allowed developers to receive faster feedback on their code changes, leading to a more robust development culture.

Lessons Learned

1. Start Small, Scale Gradually

One valuable lesson from this case study is the importance of starting small and scaling testing efforts gradually. By focusing on critical functionalities first, the organization was able to build confidence in the automation process before expanding to more complex areas.

2. Invest in Training and Support

Investing time in the training of team members for any new tool is crucial. The comprehensive training provided by Cursion not only equipped the team with essential skills but also encouraged engagement and ownership of the automated processes.

3. Leverage AI and Machine Learning

Utilizing tools like Cursion that harness AI and machine learning capabilities streamlines testing efforts and provides insights that manual testing cannot. Embracing these technologies will result in continuous improvement in testing accuracy and efficiency.

Future Steps: Continuous Improvements in Testing

1. Embracing Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

The organization recognized the importance of integrating their automated regression tests into a CI/CD pipeline. This integration would ensure that each code submission runs through the regression tests seamlessly, allowing the team to catch issues instantly.

2. Regular Updates to Automated Test Suites

As the product evolves, the automatic test suites will need to be updated regularly. The team plans to schedule periodic reviews of the test cases to ensure they align with the latest design and feature changes.

3. Exploring More Automation Capabilities

Looking ahead, the organization intends to explore additional capabilities offered by Cursion, including more extensive performance testing and integrating security testing to ensure comprehensive coverage of their application amidst fast-paced environment changes.

Conclusion

The adoption of automated regression testing via Cursion has proven to be a transformative strategy for the organization. By saving over 100 hours in testing cycles and significantly enhancing software quality, the case study showcases the undeniable benefits of automation. As organizations navigate the complexities of modern software development, it’s crucial to invest in robust testing practices that not only streamline operations but also ensure the delivery of high-quality products.

Automated regression testing is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to maintain competitive advantages. This case study serves as an inspiration for those looking to improve their testing processes, affirming that the right tools and strategies can lead to remarkable improvements in productivity and software quality. As we look to the future, organizations that embrace innovation in their testing methodologies will remain agile and successful in an ever-evolving landscape.