Test Automation in Banking with Robotic Process Automation
In a previous blog post, we described the market need that has given rise to robotic process automation (RPA) tools. In it, we discussed the most important RPA tools, including UIPath, and briefly described one of our ongoing test automation projects with a large banking client, which we are currently implementing with UIPath. We will now explain the background to this project in a little more detail.
What was the Challenge?
For our major client in banking, we have developed several complex software systems, including two large systems for data collection and processing, which are integrated with each other and with other systems. These two systems involved receive 4-8 major upgrades per year.
Regression tests are carried out before each deployment – this means more than 400 such regression test cases for the two systems in total. These take on average 15 minutes each to run using manual testing – 80-100 man-hours to run all the tests, i.e. 2-2.5 weeks of work per tester. With eight software updates a year, this is 16-20 weeks, which represents a significant time and cost investment and slows down the time to get the upgrade up and running.
So there was a need to automate the tests, which not only saves our customer a lot of time (and therefore money), but also speeds up the time to deployment.
The Solution: Test Automation with Robotic Process Automation
First of all, why did we choose UIPath for this particular project? The primary reason was that our client insisted on working with UIPath, but there were also the following advantages in favor:
- quick to learn and relatively easy to use
- can be used to automate complex processes
- cost-effective operation
- allows integrated testing across multiple systems, relatively simple
To accomplish this, we use the following UIPath tools:
- UIPath Studio X – a version of UIPath for business users to create process automations
- UIPath Assistant – UIPath’s utility module that helps you automate daily tasks
- and it is all integrated with the UIPath Orchestrator tool, which manages the execution of tests
In addition to automating test cases
- we have also solved the reporting of test results, so that the client now receives the results of test runs and related information in a customised, easy-to-understand and easy-to-report format that meets their needs
- we have also created a launching system to coordinate the launching of the tests and to consolidate the reporting of the test run results
The challenges of the task include that
- knowing the in-depth specifics of the systems under test in depth – although this domain knowledge is a given in our case thanks to our long history of collaboration
- an iterative approach is needed to find the optimal solution to automate tests (e.g. a test that can be created quickly may run slower and put more load on the systems involved than an automated test that takes a little longer to create – so it is worth experimenting to find the optimal solution)
- we need to identify a set of test cases that should not be automated (e.g. because they are too complex or require too much intervention in the systems under test) – this is expected to be around 10 percent of the 400 or so test cases involved
Where are we now?
By the beginning of October, we had completed automating 28 test cases, and following customer approval, we are currently working on automating another 50 test cases. After that, the remaining test cases will be automated.
Our customer will be responsible for running the automated tests, while we will take on support and maintenance tasks.
At the end of the project, the automated tests can be run overnight with a minimum of time and effort. Any bugs that surface can be fixed within a short time, and the UAT (user-activated test) will be replaced by a more bug-free development. This results in significant testing cost savings for our customers.
Do you think your company could also benefit from more efficient software testing thanks to robotic process automation? Why not discuss your needs and requirements over a good cup of coffee?
