Building Your Own Test Automation Framework: Pros and Cons

Anushree Chatterjee

Quality assurance is indispensable in today’s dynamic software development world. You need rigorous testing to ensure that software applications function as intended. However, manual testing can be time-consuming, error-prone, and often fails to keep up with the rapid pace of development. This is where test automation comes into play.

You have test automation frameworks that offer a structured approach to automate repetitive testing tasks such as running test cases, analyzing results, and generating reports. Testers can significantly reduce the time and effort required to validate software quality by automating these tasks.

But the question remains – Should you build your own test automation framework from scratch or rely on existing tools? Each approach has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

In this blog post, we will explore the key considerations and factors that can help you make an informed decision.

Test Automation Framework Components

A test automation framework comprises different components. Each of these components contributes to the process, and that is why it is possible to build a framework by oneself. Here are the components that are typically seen in a test automation framework.

• Test libraries: Libraries are collections of reusable functions and methods that simplify the creation of test scripts. They encapsulate common functionalities, thus reducing code duplication.
• Configuration files: These files store various settings and parameters that can be adjusted without modifying the code itself such as environment variables, test data sources, and user credentials.
• Test runner: This is the component that executes the test scripts. It can manage the execution order, report results, and handle any necessary setup and teardown processes.
• Test scripts: These are the actual code files that contain the automated tests. They define the test cases and the steps required to execute them.
• Reporting and logging: This component generates reports on test execution results, including pass/fail statuses, error messages and logs of the execution process.

Here’s a quick overview of how different components of a test automation framework fare in either of the approaches.

Building Your Own

Building your own test automation framework involves creating a tailored solution from scratch or customizing existing open-source frameworks to meet the specific needs of your projects. This approach allows one to design a framework that aligns perfectly with their software architecture, testing requirements, and organizational goals. Read: How to build a test automation framework.

Pros of Building Your Own Framework

• Tailored to specific needs: You have complete control over the framework’s design and features, which ensures that they align perfectly with your project’s requirements.
• Maximum flexibility: You can customize the framework to adapt to changing project needs and evolving testing strategies.
• Enhanced control over features: You can prioritize features that are most relevant to your project to ensure that the framework has all necessary functionalities without unnecessary bloat.
• Integration with existing systems: You can design the framework for optimal integration with your existing tools such as CI/CD pipelines, issue tracking, and version control systems.
• Cost-effectiveness in the long run: While the initial investment may be high, building your own framework may reduce long-term costs associated with licensing fees and vendor dependency.
• Deeper understanding: Building your own framework provides valuable insights into the underlying testing processes and technologies.
• Potential for innovation: You can experiment with new approaches and technologies and come up with innovative testing solutions.

Cons of Building Your Own Framework

• Significant initial investment: Developing a robust framework requires significant time and effort, especially for complex projects.
• Technical expertise: You need a strong team of skilled automation engineers to design, develop and maintain the framework.
• Ongoing maintenance: The framework will require continuous maintenance and updates to keep pace with evolving technologies and project requirements.
• Risk of errors: Building your own framework introduces the risk of human error and potential bugs that can impact test reliability.
• Risk of reinventing the wheel: There is a risk of duplicating functionalities that are already effectively provided by existing tools which leads to wasted effort.
• Limited community support: Unlike popular frameworks that have extensive communities, custom-built frameworks may lack readily available support and resources which makes problem-solving more challenging.

When to Consider Building Your Own Framework?

Going the DIY route is best for when you have:

• Highly specialized projects: If your project has unique testing requirements that cannot be adequately addressed by existing tools then building a custom framework might be necessary.
• Long-term commitment: If you have a long-term commitment to the project and plan to use the framework for multiple projects, then investing in a custom solution can be beneficial.
• Strong automation team: A skilled automation team can effectively design, develop, and maintain a custom framework.

Using Existing Tools

Using existing test automation frameworks means using pre-built tools and solutions developed by third parties for automated testing. These frameworks are typically feature-rich and designed to accommodate a wide range of testing needs. This allows teams to quickly implement automation without the overhead of building their own solutions from scratch.

Pros of Using Existing Frameworks

• Time and cost-effective: Existing frameworks save significant time and effort by providing ready-to-use components and libraries.
• Active community Support: Popular frameworks often have large, active communities that provide support, documentation, and best practices.
• Regular updates: Framework maintainers frequently release updates and bug fixes which ensures compatibility with the latest technologies.
• Reduced maintenance overhead: You can focus on writing test cases and automating test scenarios rather than maintaining the framework itself.
• Rapid implementation: Teams can get started with automation much more quickly since they don’t have to spend time developing a framework from scratch. Existing frameworks often come with templates and examples.

Cons of Using Existing Frameworks

• Limited customization: While you can customize existing frameworks to some extent, they may not always meet all your specific needs.
• Steeper learning curve: Learning to use a new framework can require significant effort, especially for complex frameworks.
• Dependency on third-party tools: You may need to rely on third-party tools and libraries, which can introduce additional complexities and potential compatibility issues.
• Vendor lock-in: In the case of commercial frameworks, you may become locked into a specific vendor, which can limit your flexibility.
• Cost of licensing: Some existing frameworks come with licensing fees that can add up, especially for larger teams or organizations, potentially impacting budgets.

When to Consider Using an Existing Framework?

Here’s when you’re better off using an existing framework:

• Time constraints: If you need to set up a test automation environment quickly, then using an existing framework is a faster approach.
• Limited resources: If you have limited resources or a small team, an existing framework can help you achieve more with less effort.
• General-purpose testing: Existing frameworks provide sufficient functionality for most common testing scenarios.

DIY Test Automation Framework or Off-the-shelf?

There’s no simple answer to this question.

Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on the specific context and requirements of your organization.

Here’s a summary of both approaches for you to glance through.

Conclusion

The decision between building a custom test automation framework and using an existing one hinges on your organization’s unique requirements, resources, and long-term goals. Building your own framework offers unparalleled flexibility and control, allowing you to tailor a solution that aligns precisely with your project’s needs.

On the other hand, using existing frameworks provides a faster route to implementation, community support, and regular updates. This brings substantial benefits for teams looking for a time-efficient and cost-effective solution. However, both paths lead to the same goal: effective and efficient testing to ensure software quality.

By carefully evaluating your team’s capabilities, project requirements, and budget, you can select the best approach to support your organization’s quality assurance efforts.

“We spent so much time on maintenance when using Selenium, and we spend nearly zero time with maintenance using testRigor.”

Keith Powe VP Of Engineering - IDT