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Top 6 Software Test Automation Trends of 2024

As we bid farewell to the transformative year of 2023, there’s no doubt that the software testing landscape underwent substantial changes. The last year has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and innovative 2024. In the fast-paced world of technology, adaptability is key, and software testing is no exception.

Automation is an intrinsic part of Keysight Eggplant software, and we strive to help enterprises maximize the value of test automation. Let's take a glimpse into the trends shaping the future of software testing, building upon the foundations laid in the preceding year. Here are six of the key trends taking shape in 2024 and how we can help you take advantage of them to drive growth in your business.

1. AI-Augmented Testing Will Unlock a New Era of Intelligent QA

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already making waves in the quality assurance (QA) process. In 2023, we saw a significant impact on various applications, including software testing and automation. These intelligent systems not only enhance the speed and accuracy of testing but also bring a new level of efficiency to identifying and addressing potential issues, ensuring a higher standard of software quality.

In 2024, AI-augmented software testing will continue to captivate the testing community. The spotlight on AI will intensify, revealing new benefits for testers as well as transformative impacts on the software development lifecycle (SDLC). New technologies, from intelligent computer vision to natural language processing, will further increase testing efficiencies and save costs. As AI becomes more ingrained in testing processes, testers can anticipate a future where intelligent automation is not just a tool but an indispensable ally in delivering flawless software products.

On-Demand Webinar: Chat GPT-4 Testers: Navigating the AI Frontier

2. Digital Twin Models Will Help Us Explore More in the Digital World

In 2024, testing professionals embark on a journey through the digital world like never before, leveraging digital twin models to map virtual schematics, user interfaces, and processes across diverse platforms, devices, and operating systems. Gartner projects that the digital twin market will experience double-digit growth to reach $183 billion by 2031.

The digital twin approach allows testers to simulate and test software in environments mirroring the actual production settings. In particular, with a digital twin model, testing professionals can map virtual schematics, user interfaces, or processes on any platform, device, or operating system to save time and sources. In addition, it will take less time to create digital twins using intelligent test automation tools that can effectively ingest behavior-driven development documents, code snippets, and automated test cases. As we stride into 2024, the use of digital twins in software testing promises to provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of system behaviors and potential challenges.

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3. Taking “Shift Left” to the Next Level

In recent years, the “shift left” movement has become a fundamental practice in software testing. It is a way to find and prevent defects early in the software development process. Organizations have seen various benefits of pushing testing to earlier stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC).

In 2024, organizations will take the shift left approach to the next level by emphasizing real user experience to improve a product’s competitiveness. They will seek solutions like intelligent test automation to incorporate actionable analytics that shows how real customers use the software. These insights get integrated into the earlier stages of the software development and testing process. As a result, development teams can react quickly to customer needs and improve the customer experience continuously and in real time.

4. Web 4.0 Will Become the Next Frontier for Digital Mobile Testing

The emergence of Web 4.0, marked by decentralized technologies and enhanced user experiences, brings new challenges to software testing. Test automation in 2024 will need to adapt to the dynamic nature of Web 4.0 applications, focusing on ensuring compatibility, security, and performance across diverse platforms and devices.

As the digital landscape evolves, so must our testing strategies to guarantee flawless user experiences in this decentralized and interconnected web environment. The emphasis on staying ahead of technological advancements becomes paramount, making Web 4.0 a defining trend in software test automation.

5. Digital Experience Will Play a More Crucial Role in Software Testing

In the race for digital experience supremacy, quality software emerges as the cornerstone. As new technologies and devices continue to proliferate, the necessity for efficient and comprehensive testing of numerous user journeys, including the most unexpected ones, becomes crucial.

In 2024, digital experience testing takes center stage, ensuring that organizations can not only keep up with the rapid pace of technological evolution but also deliver exceptional user experiences that set them apart in the competitive digital landscape.

Learn more: How to Automate UI Testing with Visual Verification

6. New Analytics Capabilities Will Reach New Heights in Software Testing

Data-driven insights are top-of-mind for companies everywhere today. AI’s ability to provide predictive analytics will play a major role in making software products “more robust, reliable and will exceed customer expectations.”

The allure of data-driven insights reaches new heights in 2024, with real-time analytics emerging as a pivotal force in software testing. Software testing leaders will rely more on their data to shorten testing cycles and react quickly to changes. Beyond traditional testing metrics like defects per release and leakage, testing leaders need actionable insights to bring applications to launch readiness while also having confidence in the accuracy of observed data.

The level of intelligence is growing, and far more reliable predictive analytics will become more available and accessible. In the quest to exceed customer expectations, real-time analytics becomes an indispensable tool, shaping the future of software testing and product development.

Conclusion

With a new year comes new, exciting innovations, and the software testing landscape is vibrant with possibilities. Embracing these trends ensures that QA professionals are not just keeping up with the changes but actively shaping the future of software test automation.

Looking ahead, we are confident that the use of test automation software will continue to grow. Here's to a year of smarter, more efficient, and transformative software testing practices!

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