Manual Testing vs. Automated Testing: An Intro to Effective QA

As humankind evolves, we keep finding new ways to make life easier. Think of something simple like a washing machine, or something complex like a self-driving car. See the pattern? Humans love to automate.

Before we dive in, let's define the two types of testing.

What is Manual Testing? 💪

Manual testing is testing done by people. In other words, QAs run the tests by hand, one step at a time.

What is Automation Testing? 🦾

Automation testing means writing code, or test scripts, to run tests for you. It makes test runs faster, cheaper, and more efficient.

Now that the definitions are clear, let's walk through a real example. It shows how manual and automated testing work, and how well they team up.

Manual vs Automation Testing in Action 💥

A manual and automated testing setup usually includes a test plan, test cases, test scripts, test data, test results, and defect tracking.

To see how both fit the bigger picture, let's imagine a simple, fun app: a Dog Routine tracker. (Because who doesn't like dogs, right? 🐶)

Let's say the app's main features are:

• The dog's profile
• The dog's routine tracking (walks, playtime, sleep time, eating intervals, food amount, etc.)
• Tips and tricks (section with photos and videos)

At first, we'd want to get familiar with the app's screens and elements. We'd test the main features and UI against the designer's or client's vision. This is early development, so things can change. That can cause build issues and crashes. This is where manual testing comes in.

So for our app, here's what we can check by hand:

• Testing the account creation of our sweet dog's profile
• Testing if the information is represented correctly on the “dog profile” screen
• Testing if the elements on the dog profile are in line with the vision
• Testing the functionality of the tracking feature for adding or removing tracks
• Testing the UI of the tracking options
• Checking if the videos in the “tips and tricks” section can be played
• Checking if the photos/videos are in the right place and are not overlapping
• Checking if the photos/videos are right for each section

These are just a few early-stage tests. At this point, there are lots of unknowns and change requests. Starting with manual testing helps us learn the app's parts and how they fit together.

A few sprints later… ⏰

Time has passed. The app's vision has changed. Now it targets dogs and cats (double the serotonin 🐶 🐱). Looking back, we're glad we didn't automate too soon.

Now we have a clear vision of what the app should be and look like. This is the best time to start automating.

First, we look at which parts we can automate, and which give the best return on time and effort. Then we build automation tests for the app's main features. A few examples:

• Automate the creation flow for both dog and cat profiles
• Check if the correct information was stored on the profile
• Create automation tests for the tracking functionality of the different activities for dogs and cats
• Create automation tests for the videos “play” and “stop” functionalities

Compare the two, and one thing stands out. The automation tests skip the UI checks. Instead, they focus on the tedious flows, like account creation and data checks. Those take a long time to test by hand. And with lots of elements, they invite human error.

Difference between manual and automated testing 🧑 🤖

There are some big differences between manual and automated testing. In manual testing, a person runs the tests step by step, with no scripts.

With automation, the tests run on their own, through test frameworks, tools, and software.

In manual testing, the tester's skill, knowledge, and experience matter a lot. In automation, they matter less. Most of the work runs on its own, with little human input.

Advantages and Disadvantages ➕ ➖

Both types have pros and cons. So we can't fully side with one over the other.

For Manual Testing, the advantages are:

• It allows for ad-hoc testing (unstructured software testing)
• You spend less time and money to get productive manual testing going
• It's a good fit for projects with frequent requirement changes
• You have more flexibility in what you test

And the disadvantages are:

• It's time-consuming, mainly during regression testing
• It's less reliable, due to possible human errors
• It's more expensive in the long run

On the other hand, here are the pros of Automation Testing:

• It's faster to run
• It's cheaper in the long run
• It's more reliable, since there's no human error involved

And the cons:

• It's limited to stable products
• It struggles with specific tests (captchas, visual parts of the UI)
• You need more time for maintenance

Can Automation testing replace Manual testing?⚙️

This is the most common question on the topic, so let's keep it simple. No, automation will never fully replace manual testing.

Yes, automation is a big step forward in software testing. And automated tests make manual tests more efficient. Still, nothing replaces the human side. People handle the trickier tests and the ad-hoc checks.

Conclusion 🧠

Some QA work is still best done by people and manual testing, as we've covered here. No one denies the perks of automation, above all for saving time and boosting accuracy. But right now, you can't build a solid QA process on automation alone.

The right mix of automation and manual testing is key to a strong QA team. Neither one can fully replace the other. Manual testing helps us see the big picture and explore tests with flexibility.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. The right balance depends on your project, your vision, and your QA team. So work with testers who understand your goals and the results you want. That's what Wolfpack Digital aims to be for every partner.

And in the app development industry, projects speak louder than words. So check out our work and see for yourself!