Report: 97% of software testing professionals are using automation

To be Software Testing becomes easier or harder? Are testers using modern tools to accelerate product release cycles or are they bogged down by manual processes?

To better understand the answers to these questions, Kobiton asked 150 testers in companies with at least 50 employees in a wide range of industries.

Turns out, software testers are relying more on automation more than ever, driven by a desire to reduce testing costs and improve software quality and user experience.

For context, there are two types of software testing: manual and automated. Manual is still popular but it is not ideal for repetitive tests, leading many testers to opt for automation, which can boost application development and performance. To wit, 40% of testers who responded to the Kobiton study said their primary motivation for using automation was to improve the user experience.

Automation in software testing has come a long way

“In a study we conducted two years ago, half of the testers we asked said their automation programs were relatively new and 76% say they are automating less than 50% of all tests. “Nearly 100% of the testers participating in this year’s study are using automation, which speaks volumes about how developed the industry is.”

Test managers are also prioritizing new hires with automation experience. Kobiton’s research shows that automation experience is one of the three skills most managers care about.

And how is automation being used? The majority (34%) of Kobiton survey respondents said they are using automation for an even mix Regression and test new features.

And it makes them more efficient. Almost half (47%) of survey respondents said it takes 3-5 days for manual testing before release, while automated testing can be done in 3-6 hours.

“The desire to increase automation testing was a top priority listed by testers in our 2022 study. Automation is clearly the wave of the future, says Lee.