What Should I Learn Manual Testing or Automation Testing?

Choosing between manual testing and automation testing is a pivotal decision for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in software quality assurance. Both of the career offers great opportunities, growth, learning, and also high-pay. Are you confused in choosing one between both?

In this article, we will find out the minute differences between manual testing and automation testing, focusing on the career paths associated with each choice. We’ll try to answer best of What Should I Learn Manual Testing or Automation Testing? Let’s get started:

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Manual Testing

What is Manual Testing?

Manual testing involves hands-on evaluation of software applications without the use of automated tools. This traditional approach offers hands-on experience in identifying software bugs, making it an excellent starting point for beginners in the field of software testing. 

Also read about the Top 10 Manual Testing Tools To Know

Why should I Learn Manual Testing?

Beginners typically start as QA(Quality Assurance) testers, sharpening their analytical skills and domain expertise. With experience, they progress to roles such as Senior QA Analyst, QA Lead, and QA Manager.

Here are some advantages of Manual testing from a career perspective:

• Job Security: Manual testing skills ensure steady employment, as businesses continue to rely on human testers for in-depth analysis.
• Complementing Automation: Manual testing complements automated processes, enhancing the overall testing strategy for comprehensive coverage.
• Critical Thinking: Manual testing hones critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, making professionals adept at identifying complex issues.
• Adaptability: Learning manual testing equips individuals with versatile skills, enabling smooth transitions into various roles within the tech industry.
• Career Growth: Mastering manual testing acts as a stepping stone for advancement into specialized areas like automation testing, ensuring long-term career growth.

Career Path of Manual Testing in 2024:

• Quality Assurance Tester: Focuses on manual testing to ensure software quality, identifying bugs and issues before the product launch.
• Test Analyst: Analyzes requirements and designs manual testing strategies, collaborating with teams to enhance software quality.
• User Acceptance Tester: Concentrates on how end-users interact with the software, ensuring it meets their needs and expectations.
• Test Coordinator: Manages and coordinates manual testing efforts within a team, ensuring seamless communication and efficient workflow.
• Test Manager: Oversees entire testing processes, from planning to execution, ensuring quality standards, and managing testing teams.
• Regression Tester: Specializes in retesting software after modifications, ensuring existing features aren’t affected by new changes.
• Compatibility Tester: Focuses on testing software compatibility across different devices, browsers, and operating systems.
• Usability Tester: Evaluates software from a user’s perspective, ensuring it is intuitive, easy to navigate, and user-friendly.
• Security Tester: Identifies vulnerabilities and weaknesses in software, focusing on security aspects to prevent potential threats.

Why Enterprises Prefer Manual Testing

• Human Smarts Find Errors: People using manual testing apply their intelligence to discover software mistakes, catching issues automated methods might miss.
• Saves Money in Short Term: Manual testing costs less initially. Unlike automated tools, it doesn’t require a lot of money upfront.
• Real User Problems Detected: Manual testing mimics real user experiences, finding issues users might face. It’s like testing how real people use the software.
• Quick and Flexible: Manual testing allows fast and flexible testing. Testers can check results quickly. Automated testing takes longer to set up, making it harder to test ideas fast.

Automation Testing

What is Automation Testing?

Automation testing involves the use of specialized tools and scripts to perform tests on software applications. It is a technique used to automate the process of validating the software functionality.

Also read about the Top 15 Automation Testing Tools [2023]

Why should I Learn Automation Testing?

Professionals often start as Automation Testers or QA Engineers, gradually evolving into roles like Test Automation Engineer, SDET, or Automation Architect. Automation testers need programming skills and an understanding of testing frameworks.

Here are the advantages of Automation testing from a career perspective

• High Demand: Many companies need people who can use automation tools to test software quickly and efficiently.
• Good Pay: People who do automation testing often get paid well because it’s an important job in the tech industry.
• Lots of Learning: You can learn different tools and skills, which can help you work on various projects and make your job interesting.
• Job Security: Automation testers are always needed, so once you learn this skill, you’ll have a secure job.
• Global Opportunities: Automation testing skills are valued worldwide, offering opportunities for professionals to work on diverse international projects and organizations.

Career Path of Automation Testing in 2024:

• Automation Test Engineer: Develop and implement automated test scripts to ensure software quality and efficiency.
• SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test): Combine software development skills with testing expertise to create robust automated testing frameworks.
• Test Automation Architect: Design and develop high-level automation frameworks, setting the foundation for automation testing strategies.
• Performance Test Engineer: Specializes in testing software performance under various conditions to ensure it handles loads effectively.
• Mobile Test Automation Engineer: Focus on automated testing of mobile applications, ensuring functionality across different devices and platforms.
• CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) Tester: Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines, ensuring continuous quality assurance throughout development cycles.
• API Test Engineer: Specializes in testing application programming interfaces (APIs) for functionality, reliability, and security.
• Web UI Test Automation Engineer: Focus on automated testing of web user interfaces, ensuring seamless user experiences across browsers and devices.
• Security Test Automation Engineer: Identify security vulnerabilities in software through automated testing, ensuring robust protection against cyber threats.
• RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Developer: Develop automated solutions for business processes using RPA tools, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in tasks.

Why Enterprises Prefer Automation Testing

• Resource Optimization: Automated testing optimizes human resources, allowing skilled testers to focus on more complex and creative aspects of quality assurance.
• Continuous Integration: Automation seamlessly integrates with continuous integration pipelines, enabling frequent and automated testing as new code is added.
• Data-Driven Testing: Automation supports data-driven testing, allowing the same test case to be executed with multiple sets of data, enhancing test coverage.
• Early Bug Detection: Automated tests can quickly identify bugs, allowing developers to address issues in the early stages of the development process, and reducing overall project costs.

Do know How to Make a Career in Automation Testing?

Survey Report

Testing Skills:

• Manual Testing Skills:
  • Statistic: 45% of respondents reported expertise in manual testing.
  • Explanation: Nearly half of the survey participants excel in manual testing.
• Automation Testing Skills:
  • Statistic: 55% of developers showcased proficiency in automation testing.
  • Explanation: More than half of the participants are skilled in automated testing.

Preferred Testing Approach

• Manual Testing Popularity:
  • Statistic: 30% preferred manual testing for certain scenarios.
  • Explanation: A third of respondents favor manual testing in specific situations.
• Automation Dominance:
  • Statistic: 70% leaned towards automation testing for its efficiency.
  • Explanation: The majority opts for automation due to its speed and efficiency.

Challenges and Benefits

• Manual Testing Challenges:
  • Statistic: 40% cited manual testing’s slower pace as a challenge.
  • Explanation: Many find manual testing slower, which can be a drawback.
• Automation Testing Benefits:
  • Statistic: 60% highlighted automation’s repeatability and consistency as its key advantage.
  • Explanation: Automation is favored for its reliability and consistent performance.

Skill Development and Learning

• Upgrading Manual Testing Skills:
  • Statistic: 35% expressed a desire to enhance their manual testing skills.
  • Explanation: Over a third of participants are keen on improving their manual testing abilities.
• Automation Skill Investment:
  • Statistic: 50% planned to invest in automation testing skill development.
  • Explanation: Half of the respondents aim to strengthen their automation testing skills.

Survey Report of Manual and Automated Testing

Choosing the Right Path

Life is becoming more and more digital, and this trend has only gotten stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the way we use artificial intelligence is making it so we don’t need to do as much manual testing anymore. Automation is taking over and changing the game in this field.

Still both manual testing and automation testing offer unique career paths. Manual testing emphasizes analytical skills and domain expertise, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Automation testing, on the other hand, demands programming skills and efficiency in using testing frameworks.

Every company should have skilled manual testers who can write really good test cases. And they also need excellent automation testers to automate these and avoid repetitive work and missing out on test coverage during tight deadlines. Eventually, it depends on your interest and skillsets to choose between the two.

It’s important to remember that automation testing doesn’t replace manual effort; it’s there to assist you.

FAQs

Can I switch from manual testing to automation testing mid-career?

Absolutely. Many professionals transition from manual testing to automation testing by acquiring the necessary programming skills and training.

Is automation testing suitable for small-scale projects?

Yes, automation testing can be tailored for small-scale projects, ensuring efficient testing processes despite limited resources.

What programming languages are essential for automation testers?

Commonly used languages include Java, Python, and JavaScript, but the choice depends on the specific automation tools and frameworks being used.

How can one balance manual and automation testing for optimal results?

Hybrid testing, combining both manual and automation testing, offers a balanced approach, ensuring thorough testing and swift feedback.