Negotiating Complexity in Test Automation Tool Support - A Design Research Approach

Abstract

Fully realizing the vision of agile processes might require practical tool support to enable activities like test driven design, refactoring, and regression testing. In this paper we will examine in detail, the design process of developing a test automation framework for a company in need of reducing time consuming manual testing. By employing an iterative research process, we will investigate and present what considerations, in both practice and academia, must be taken in order to reach a suitable tool design. The depth of the problem is acknowledged and, as we will see, calls for a complex design process. This process, along with the framework design, is comprehensibly described within this paper. In addition, we will also assess the framework’s potential impact on the company’s work process.