No-Code, No Problem: AI-Powered Automation for Manual Testers

Megan Donovan

November 22, 2024

“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.” – Steve Jobs

In the world of software testing, this quote couldn’t be more relevant. If you’re a manual tester, you know the pressure to deliver high-quality results, often within tight deadlines and limited resources.

Yet, with today’s fast-paced software development cycles, meeting these demands through manual testing alone is increasingly challenging. Automation seems like the logical next step, but hurdles like coding skills and ongoing script maintenance can feel daunting.

So, what’s the best way forward?

Scripted Tests vs. GenAI-Driven Tests

For a long time, traditional scripted tests have been the go-to approach in test automation. This method involves creating highly specific scripts that dictate each test step in code. While effective, scripted tests can be rigid and often require advanced coding skills. This rigidity and maintenance burden have led many teams to explore alternative approaches.

In more recent years, low-code testing tools have emerged as a middle ground. These tools allow testers to automate tests with minimal coding, simplifying test creation and maintenance while still relying on some technical knowledge. Low-code testing has become popular for its flexibility and accessibility, offering a viable solution for testers who want automation with less coding overhead.

Now, no-code, GenAI-powered test automation is entering the scene as a game-changer, especially for manual testers. This approach removes the coding requirement altogether, allowing testers to create automated tests simply by describing their intent in plain language. By leveraging AI to interpret these instructions, no-code testing adapts effortlessly to changes in the application, minimizing maintenance and expanding accessibility to those without coding expertise.

For manual testers, this shift to no-code, GenAI-driven automation offers a highly intuitive and adaptable solution that aligns with the fast-evolving needs of modern applications.

Scripted Test Example

For scripted tests, each one is specific, providing exact instructions on what actions to take, where, and in what order. For example, a code-based test script for a login function might look like this, if it were expressed in plain language:

Navigate to the login page
Locate the username field at position X, Y, and enter “TestUser”
Locate the password field at position A, B, and enter “password123”
Locate and click the login button at position C, D

Each step is precise, detailing the exact position of each element and the action to be performed. While this rigid approach can work well for stable applications, it quickly becomes a burden when the application changes. Even minor alterations—like moving the login button – require script updates.

GenAI-Driven Test Example

For GenAI-driven tests, instead of specifying each precise action or location, testers simply describe their desired intent. Then, the AI interprets that intent into actionable steps. For instance, the same login test could be described as:

Rather than focusing on specific element positions, this approach defines what the test needs to accomplish without dictating how each step should be executed. This makes GenAI-driven testing flexible and adaptable to changes. As long as the core functionality remains, the AI adjusts to layout changes without the need for test modifications.

Introducing Reflect featuring SmartBear HaloAI: No-Code, AI-Powered Test Automation

SmartBear Reflect is a no-code test automation tool that makes robust, AI-driven testing accessible to manual testers. By leveraging GenAI, Reflect takes on the heavy lifting of test creation, execution, and maintenance, allowing you to focus on strategic testing without needing any coding skills.

With Reflect, you can:

Create automated tests with plain language: Describe your test steps in simple statements, and HaloAI generates the test cases for you
Execute tests seamlessly: Easily integrate Reflect with CI/CD pipelines to streamline test execution and keep a smooth, continuous workflow
Adapt instantly to app changes: HaloAI adjusts to changes in your app’s interface, reducing test maintenance and freeing up more time for strategic testing

One Reflect customer, Monday.com, had this to say:

“Since adopting Reflect, we have no UI errors in production. Like, 0%.”

— Merom Cohen, Developer at Monday.com

Why GenAI-Powered Automation is Worth Exploring

According to IDC’s FutureScape: Worldwide Developer and DevOps 2024 Predictions report, by 2028, GenAI-based tools will be capable of writing 80% of software tests. This shift is expected to significantly reduce the need for manual testing and bring major improvements in test coverage, software usability, and code quality.

With AI, tests can be executed faster, cover more scenarios, and produce fewer errors, leading to higher-quality applications, faster release cycles, and lower testing costs.

However, AI doesn’t replace manual testing; it enhances it. Human testers remain essential for setting requirements, understanding intricate flows, and ensuring the AI is effective. As the source of truth for application requirements, human testers provide the insights that AI relies on to perform accurately.

The world of testing is changing, and GenAI-powered automation is at the forefront. For manual testers, it provides a bridge to automation without a steep learning curve, making it more accessible than ever.

Ready to see it for yourself? Try SmartBear Reflect for free.