SQA2 Case Studies: Automotive
Overview
A leading provider of software for the used car market sought to enhance their QA processes and reduce lengthy test cycles. Relying heavily on manual testing, they faced challenges in scaling QA efforts to keep pace with development. By leveraging our expertise in automation and implementing our Behavior-Based Testing (BBT) methodology, we successfully automated 215 critical test cases, producing over 2,500 permutations and achieving 85% automation coverage within their primary product.
Project Background
The client operates as a premier provider of innovative internet applications and business solutions for the used car market. Their flagship product, a practice management system for car dealerships, streamlines operations through cutting-edge technology. Despite recognizing the value of QA, their reliance on manual testing hindered efficiency and created bottlenecks in their release cycles.
Challenges
Before partnering with us, the client faced several hurdles:
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Over-reliance on Manual Testing: Manual efforts were resource-intensive and time-consuming, slowing down their ability to release new features. For instance, testing updates to their flagship product often required weeks of effort, involving multiple team members and tracking results across spreadsheets.
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Inadequate Tools for Test Case Management: The team primarily used spreadsheets for tracking test cases, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining version control and tracking test history.
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Scalability Issues: Limited internal knowledge of automation prevented them from transitioning to more efficient testing practices.
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Operational Impact: Testing delays disrupted product quality and overall development timelines, potentially affecting dealership operations.
Solutions
We developed and implemented a comprehensive automation strategy tailored to the client’s needs:
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Automation Framework Development:
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Built a robust automation framework using .NET and C# to align with the client’s existing Microsoft-based pipelines.
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Leveraged Behavior-Based Testing (BBT) to generate reusable test cases and automate both positive and negative test scenarios. Want to see how Behavior-Based Testing can revolutionize QA automation? Check out our comprehensive whitepaper to explore its key features and benefits.
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Enhanced Test Coverage:
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Automated 215 critical test cases, which expanded into 2,589 test permutations, significantly increasing testing efficiency and application coverage.
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Streamlined QA Processes:
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Migrated manual test cases from spreadsheets to Microsoft’s Team Foundation Server (TFS) for better tracking and version control.
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Reduced testing cycles from weeks to hours by enabling continuous testing within sprints.
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Blended Team Approach with SQaaS:
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Implemented a blended QA model combining three senior embedded team members and three SQaaS resources to maximize cost efficiency and scalability.
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SQaaS Contributions: Focused on managing manual, repetitive tasks such as regression testing and test case execution, freeing up embedded team members to concentrate on high-value activities like automation, process improvements, and framework optimization.
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This approach allowed the team to maintain cost-effective QA operations while delivering consistent results and achieving significant automation milestones.
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Progress Monitoring:
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Conducted monthly check-ins to review automation progress and ensure alignment with project goals.
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Outcomes
The partnership delivered remarkable results:
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Accelerated Test Cycles: Automated test execution reduced testing time from weeks to mere hours, improving release timelines.
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Expanded Test Coverage: Achieved 85% automation coverage of the primary product within the first year, significantly enhancing application quality.
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Improved Efficiency: Generated over 2,500 test cases with minimal effort, providing comprehensive coverage of critical features.
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Scalable Framework: The client extended the automation framework to include performance testing, further optimizing application performance and pinpointing bottlenecks.
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Cost-Effective QA: The SQaaS model ensured repetitive manual tasks were handled efficiently, while senior embedded team members focused on delivering strategic improvements and innovation.
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Client Recognition: The client expressed high satisfaction, citing the framework’s ability to drive consistent results and continuous improvement.
Contact Us:
Are you looking to revolutionize your QA processes with automation? Contact us today to discover how our expertise in automation and our flexible SQaaS model can help your organization achieve the same level of success. Let’s drive efficiency and quality in your software development lifecycle!
