Test automation can feel like a superpower for QA teams—saving time, improving efficiency, and enabling faster feedback loops. But if not done right, it can quickly turn into a maintenance nightmare, leaving teams frustrated and disillusioned.
Having worked on multiple automation frameworks over the years, I’ve encountered my fair share of mistakes. In this post, I’ll share some common pitfalls I’ve seen in test automation and how you can steer clear of them.
Pitfall 1: Automating Everything
One of the first lessons I learned in test automation is this: not everything needs to be automated.
It’s tempting to automate every test case, especially when you’re excited about a new tool. But automating low-value or one-off tests can lead to bloated test suites that are difficult to maintain.
How to Avoid It:
Focus on automating repetitive, high-value, and stable test cases. Use the 80/20 rule: automate the 20% of tests that cover 80% of the critical functionality. Leave exploratory or ad-hoc testing for manual efforts where human intuition excels.
Pitfall 2: Neglecting Test Design
Poorly designed test cases are a recipe for flaky tests and false positives/negatives. I’ve seen automation scripts that work for one environment but break in another, or tests that are so dependent on hardcoded data that they fail as soon as the data changes.
How to Avoid It:
- Use dynamic locators instead of hardcoding element selectors.
- Implement proper setup and teardown methods to ensure your tests start with a clean state.
- Make your tests independent—each test should run on its own without relying on the execution of others.
Pitfall 3: Ignoring Maintenance
Automation isn’t a “set it and forget it” solution. Over time, applications evolve—UI changes, APIs are updated, and workflows shift. Without regular maintenance, your test suite will become obsolete.
How to Avoid It:
- Schedule periodic reviews of your test suite to remove outdated tests.
- Use version control (e.g., Git) to track changes in your automation scripts.
- Keep your automation framework modular so updates to one part don’t affect the entire suite.
Pitfall 4: Overlooking Reporting and Feedback
What good is automation if you can’t understand the results? Poor reporting is a common issue. I’ve encountered teams with tests running nightly, yet no one checks the results until something breaks.
How to Avoid It:
- Use built-in reporting from frameworks like Cypress or Playwright.
- Integrate your tests into a CI/CD pipeline and set up alerts for failures.
- Focus on actionable reporting—your test results should clearly indicate what went wrong and where.
Pitfall 5: Choosing the Wrong Tool
Not all automation tools are created equal, and not every tool fits every project. I’ve seen teams struggle with tools that were overcomplicated for their needs or lacked critical features.
How to Avoid It:
- Evaluate tools based on your project’s tech stack, team expertise, and application type (web, mobile, API, etc.).
- Start small with a proof of concept to ensure the tool meets your requirements before committing.
- Some great tools to consider: Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, RestAssured (for API testing), and Appium (for mobile testing).
Pitfall 6: Lack of Skill Development
Test automation is a technical skill, and not investing in upskilling can lead to frustration. Teams often struggle when their QA engineers lack a solid understanding of coding or the automation framework they’re using.
How to Avoid It:
- Provide regular training for your QA team. Online courses, workshops, and mentorship can go a long way.
- Encourage QA engineers to learn the basics of programming languages like Python, C#, or JavaScript.
- Pair junior testers with experienced automation engineers to foster hands-on learning.
Test automation is a powerful tool, but it’s only effective when done thoughtfully. Avoiding these pitfalls can save you time, reduce frustration, and maximize the value of your automation efforts.
Remember, automation is about working smarter, not harder. Start small, iterate often, and focus on building a framework that supports your team’s long-term goals.
What challenges have you faced with test automation? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve overcome them!