CTFL 6.2.1: Recall the benefits and risks of test automation

• a
  It reduces the time and cost of keeping the test scripts up to dateKeeping test scripts current is named among the efforts whose time and cost are often underestimated.
• b
  It relieves testers of judging critically which results matterRelying on a tool too much, ignoring the need for human critical thinking, is a named risk.
• ✓
  Correct answer: It prevents simple mistakes because a tool works more consistentlyGreater consistency and repeatability preventing simple human errors is a named benefit.
• d
  It gives a better return than manual testing in most project situationsUsing a test tool when manual testing is more appropriate is a named risk, not a benefit.

The potential benefits of test automation include time saved by reducing repetitive manual work, prevention of simple human errors through greater consistency and repeatability, more objective assessment, easier access to information about testing, reduced test execution times, and more time for testers to design new and deeper tests. Maintaining test scripts, over-reliance on a tool, and using a tool where manual testing is more appropriate are named among the risks instead.

Syllabus section 6.2.1

• a
  Time saved by reducing repetitive manual work such as re-entering the same test dataThis is a named benefit: automation saves time on repetitive manual work.
• ✓
  Correct answer: Unrealistic expectations about a tool's benefits, including its functionality and ease of useUnrealistic expectations about a tool's benefits and ease of use are a named risk.
• c
  Prevention of simple human errors through greater consistency and repeatabilityThis is a named benefit: greater consistency and repeatability prevent simple human errors.
• d
  More time for testers to design new, deeper and more effective testsThis is a named benefit: testers gain time to design new, deeper and more effective tests.

Unrealistic expectations about the benefits of a tool, including its functionality and ease of use, heads the syllabus list of automation risks. The other three options are taken from the list of potential benefits: time saved on repetitive manual work, prevention of simple human errors through consistency and repeatability, and more time for testers to design new and deeper tests.

Syllabus section 6.2

• a
  More objective assessment, including measures too complicated for humans to determineA named benefit: automation gives more objective assessment and measures humans cannot easily determine.
• b
  Easier access to information about testing to support test management and reportingA named benefit: automation makes information about testing easier to access for management and reporting.
• ✓
  Correct answer: Assurance that the chosen tool stays compatible with the development platformIncompatibility with the development platform is named as a risk, not promised as a benefit.
• d
  Reduced test execution times, giving earlier defect detection and faster feedbackA named benefit: shorter execution times give earlier defect detection and faster feedback.

Compatibility is not promised as a benefit: the syllabus names the automation tool not being compatible with the development platform among the risks, so a team must analyse and mitigate it rather than expect it. The other three are on the benefits list — more objective assessment, easier access to information about testing, and reduced test execution times.

Syllabus section 6.2