Automated Process Testing in general
Automated Process Testing (APT) is useful to test changes to a system process, work instruction or even a change in the user interface.
APT is useful for freeing up human resources, so that the tests can run automatically. This can increase test coverage that was otherwise not possible and ensure that mundane and repetitive tasks are not causing manual error. It can make test plans go smoother and free up time to be spent elsewhere.
APT and ClickLearn
Since ClickLearn records the process from a user perspective, this puts the testing in a unique position, as it eliminates tedious test cases. The APT in ClickLearn makes it possible to perform all this automatically and logs any errors with a screenshot of the time an error occurred.
Advanced APT and ClickLearn
With ClickLearn, you can tie together multiple work instructions in your APT schedule.
For example, you could have a recording which creates a customer for which your ERP system provides a unique customer ID.
ClickLearn then stores this ID in its Global Replay values, and uses it in the next work instruction where it looks up the customer ID and creates an order, which again is a unique generated ID. This second ID is then used in the third work instruction where a shipment of the specific order is done.
All this is done with no user interaction and could for example run as a scheduled job overnight, so that you can come into the office in the morning and see the log files and potential errors, while sipping your coffee.
Advanced APT and ClickLearn with Global Replay value Cases
ClickLearn gives you the ability to create cases. Each case can have a set of predefined values that are used in the APT, each case will then be run for the recording and its results stored in the log. Case values can both be static, but also dynamic in the sense that you can have a recording write to a specific value ID definition for use in another recording, or later in the same recording.
When using APT with cases, all the cases are run through, giving you the opportunity to test a process with many runs with different data.
Advanced APT and ClickLearn with Flow role
If the flow role is used, APT will depend on which Flow Tags you apply, you must therefore specify for each of your cases which answers are given to each question / decision gate on your flow. While it is a powerful method, I suggest you consider planning carefully when using this role. It should make sense to be used, and not be used just because it is there – it becomes very complex very fast.
Best practice and Things to Remember
Scoping out and planning the workflow is important. I always suggest you draw a picture of the processes on paper, and how they tie together – this gives you a more clear picture of what you are testing, why you are testing, and what you expect from your testing. When using the flow role, it is vital to draw a diagram on paper to contain the possibilities.
And remember, if you run multiple scenarios in one flow, the next scenario must be able to start where the previous left of!