Automation is quite fascinating since it reduces the manual efforts of the manual testing process. Automation indeed accelerates the whole testing process & generates faster results. But, can automation testing replace manual testing?

If the answer is a ‘NO, it can’t be replaced. Then that makes us curious enough to think of the most common limitations in automation testing. Well, if you’re a total noob to the testing world, then you can get a basic idea of automation testing by reading this.📖

There are some notable limitations in automation testing which makes us understand that we need both manual & automation testing. So, if you’re planning to enter into the automation testing industry, then instead of blindly advocating the automation technology, you need to understand the most common limitations in automation testing. 

What are some common Limitations in Automation Testing?

Before we proceed further, it’s essential to have a solid foundation in automation testing principles and selenium basics. If you’re eager to dive deep into software testing, consider joining GUVI’s Automation Testing with Selenium course. In this program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Selenium, Python, Java, Jenkins, Jmeter, API Testing, and more. Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and techniques to get into a professional career focusing on the quality of Product & Process development.

Also, if you want to explore Automation Testing with Python through a Self-paced course, try GUVI’s  Self-Paced Selenium Automation with Python certification course.

1. Simple vs Complex Task handling

Simpler & repeatable tasks are better handled through automation testing. While complex test cases are better through manual testing. This point is easily understandable, now let’s dive deep.

2. Test code & Backend Issues 

Most commonly, test automation fails when it encounters issues with test scripts or test frameworks. And, there is a high chance of an increase in issues of the test scripts when the backend team lacks the skillset to code efficiently. Almost 30% of all automation issues occur due to Backend issues, which are mainly caused by network, availability & data issues. This deters automation from providing accurate results.

3. Limitation by Object Identifiers

When a developer designs web pages featuring multiple objects with the same ID, & when it is not conveyed to alter the test script, there is a sure-shot chance that similar objects cause issues in the test scripts for automation. 

This will again need additional tools like perfecto scriptless & AI-powered technology for handling such situations.

4. Updation in Agile environment

Constant feedback, UI(User Interface) changes according to users’ needs, & a new set of features in the online platform. Changes in all of these are followed by the changes in the testing scripts. This further means a lot of automation updation in agile.

5. Automation is Expensive 

Especially,  when it comes to small-scale projects, the price of automation software is high. Alongside, the maintenance & management of the scripts is pricey with additional cons such as script writing, rewriting & increased processing times. Furthermore, analysis is essential to see the failed automated test cases. Just count the manual labor and expenses for all of the above!!!

6. Bugs & Automation

Bugs are unexpected surprises. They can be found quicker when manually tested than in automation. Why? It is because automated testing can’t notice errors that it wasn’t programmed to find. Meaning that scenarios that cause bugs must be scripted for better automation testing.

7. Needs more resources for Automation

Yes! Automation indeed makes the testing faster but it also requires constant script-updating for all the dynamic changes that are to be seen in the product. Here, we need to understand that automation testing assists manual testing but doesn’t replace it.

8. Manual Testers get Users’ Perspective Better

Testers are also users in their personal life, they understand what users need better than a programmed test script. They add high value to the product with their personal knowledge to write better scripts. Or Automation will need AI technology to understand users’ interests & needs. Anyhow, Automation is not independent.

9. Complex with Mobile Devices

Automation testing poses challenges on the cost optimization factor in order to support various types of mobile devices, & operating systems like iOS, Android, and Windows. Sometimes, QA testing gets complex & costlier than the development of mobile apps.

10. Automation is just pass/fail

Considering web forms, now an automated script will be able to easily input values into a web page, but it can’t double-check that the values will be saved if the user tries to navigate away & comes back later. Here, manual testers can notice beyond pass/fail & with the change in the abnormal/slow speed in the submission of inputs. 

Many beginners who don’t have a proper understanding of limitations in automation testing think of automating everything. Clearly, automation testing aids manual testing but can’t dominate it.

Enroll in GUVI’s Automation Testing Career Program to get your software testing career off to a great start. Here, you can master in-demand skills like Selenium, Python, Java, Jenkins, Jmeter, API Testing, and more.

Alternatively, if you want to explore Automation Testing with Python through a Self-paced course, try GUVI’s  Self-Paced Selenium Automation with Python certification course.