How To Choose Which Test Cases To Automate
Tags: testing, devtips, showdev, discuss
Published: 2019-02-16 07:00:29

---
title: How To Choose Which Test Cases To Automate
published: true
description: You know you should automate your tests as part of your DevOps workflow, but are you sure about which ones need to be automated?
tags: #testing #devtips #showdev #discuss
cover_image: https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/bgrzw8o5h0eorlt6kg1q.jpg
---

Web application test automation has many advantages compared to manual testing. First of all, it improves results and quality, increases reliability, and reduces deviation in the results. In addition, it accelerates the process, increases coverage tests, and can ultimately increase the overall quality of the software. Good automation can improve the quality of the publication, increase test coverage, reduce testing costs, and enable early detection of errors if properly tested.

One of the main problems in test automation is choosing which test cases to automate. But how would someone know what all test cases are to be automated?

The basic rule says that you must understand the benefits that individual test case automation would bring.

Let’s see some other tips and rules on how to choose which test cases to automate.

##Ten Test Cases You Should Automate##
###1. Repetitive Test Runs###
This is the golden rule. If the test run is repetitive, you should automate it. This will save your precious time and energy. In addition, if this is the test you assume that you will run frequently in the future, automating is a very good idea. You will have more accurate and precise results, each time.

###2. High-Risk Test Cases###
If the involved risk is high, you should automate that test case. Prioritize the test cases based on human error hazard potential.

###3. Critical Parts of A Web Application###
Automating critical parts of your web app is a smart idea. You want to avoid any possibility of man-made error and to be on the safe side. This is especially true for test cases that can jeopardize the whole web application.

###4. Extensive Tests###
Inputting lots of data can be exhausting. In addition, the chances of making a mistake during the manual testing increase. This is why test which implies large data sets are usually automated. Mainly, we refer to those test cases which require filling long forms.

###5. Evaluate the Pros and Cons###
By evaluation, we imply the time required to complete the automation process or to do the test manually. If you are not ready to invest time in the automation process, i.e. if the process itself would take more time than manual testing, common sense says that the automation is not worth it. This is especially true for non-repetitive tests.

###6. Three Golden Tests###
There are three test cases that you should not question when it comes to automation: the [regression test](https://goo.gl/rD2TwF), smoke test, and sanity test. Why? Because each build or release of the app requires testing.

To perform these tests, there are various tools available at your aid. You can utilize tools like [LambdaTest](https://goo.gl/ERMuWJ) which can help you test across 2,000+ browsers and operating system combinations. You can perform both manual and automation testing using LambdaTest.

###7. If You Can Answer the Magical Question “Why?”###
Don’t ever automate a test case just because you can. This could bring you more harm than good. If it will benefit the app, your team, or the organization, go ahead. Your goal should always be fast feedback, precision, and better overall results. However, don’t forget that Selenium requires deep knowledge when it comes to script writing.

Manual testing is sometimes a better option, especially if you are not a skilled Selenium user.

Remember that the answer to the question “Why?” when it comes to automation must never be “Because I can.”

###8. Complex Cases###
Automating complex test cases is almost a rule. Again, you do want to be on the safe side and to save your time when it comes to complexity.

###9. Performance Testing###
We usually choose to automate performance testing, such as load testing and stress testing.

###10. Long Testing###
If a case requires an overnight devotion, you should automate it.

##When Not to Automate##
Here’s a tip on when to avoid automation. If you have a test case that is not yet thoroughly explored, doing manual testing is always a better option. Otherwise, you might end up with a false result. Remember that accuracy and valid results, as well as insightful tests, are your ultimate goals.

In conclusion, stick to these three principles when choosing which test cases to automate: always automate the time-consuming tests, repetitive tests, hard to do tests, and risk-related tests. This will help you focus on test cases which can be done only manually or which should be done manually, as well as leave some valuable time for dealing with more important tasks that cannot be automated, nor done by a machine.

Original Source: [dzone.com](https://dzone.com/articles/how-to-choose-which-test-cases-to-automate)