VI #013: Scaling Test Automation for B2B SaaS: Handling Diverse Client Use Cases and Datasets

Read time: 6 minutes

In this article, I will explain how to scale test automation when dealing with complex client datasets. By mastering these skills, you'll be able to improve the quality and reliability of your software, streamline the testing process, and ultimately reduce time-to-market.

Unfortunately, many B2B SaaS companies struggle with comprehensive regression testing and automation as their client datasets become more complex and diverse. The primary reason for this is the lack of a comprehensive test automation strategy that can handle the challenges of their complex client data.

A few other reasons why companies struggle to scale test automation effectively include:

• Building features without testing in mind, e.g., thinking, “we’ll figure out test automation later”
• Insufficient test case design and selection
• Incomplete integration of necessary tools and technologies
• Poor performing test suites, e.g., due to slow tests, “flaky” tests, or tests that cannot be parallelized
• Ineffective ongoing monitoring and optimization of testing
• Struggles with client data privacy and security matters in relation to testing

To help you overcome such challenges and scale test automation for your B2B SaaS company, below I share learnings that have helped my teams and me in scaling testing efforts while dealing with complex client datasets:

1. Adopt a Modular Approach and Design Reusable Test Components

Embracing a modular approach to test automation can help with scalability and maintainability. Breaking test suites into smaller, standalone, potentially reusable modules can help with creating a more organized and efficient testing process that also lends itself better to the growth and parallelization of the test suite(s).

To achieve this, it can help to identify and group application functionalities, their corresponding tests, and the test framework into separate modules using a component-based approach or volatility decomposition. Test scripts can then be created for each that can be run standalone or combined and executed in various composited scenarios. This can make it easier to manage and maintain your test suite as your application evolves. When creating test components for reuse, it helps to consider the Rule of Three.

2. Master Test Case Design, Selection, and AI-Assisted Automation

Test case design and selection play a crucial role in ensuring comprehensive test coverage. Naturally, clients' unique use cases and datasets should be analyzed to identify patterns, specific requirements, and potential edge cases. Test cases should be prioritized and created based on risk, complexity, and frequency of use. Also, consider leveraging data-driven testing to reduce the number of test cases needed while improving test coverage.

The team should be trained and challenged to continually improve their awareness and application of the discipline of software testing. Techniques including boundary value analysis, equivalence class partitioning, decision table testing, and state transition testing can help to prioritize edge cases and improve test coverage and effectiveness. The team should also be aware of concepts such as the various testing levels and the Test Pyramid. By doing so, a comprehensive, scalable testing strategy plan can be created, and test suites can be constructed to handle a wide variety of client datasets and detect potential issues.

An increasing number of ML-powered tools are also emerging to assist in test case generation, optimization, and execution in a more scalable way. Depending on your needs, some tools that may be worth exploring include TestCraft, Applitools, Functionize, Testim, and Mabl.

3. Integrate Tools, Technologies, and Parallel Test Execution for Improved Performance

Thoughtful, successful integration of test automation tools and technologies is naturally essential for scaling testing efforts.

Appropriate test automation tools should be evaluated and selected that are compatible with your application's technology stack, testing needs, and team expertise. The test automation suite should be seamlessly integrated with your Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline, e.g., using tools such as Jenkins, to enable faster feedback and early detection of issues. As a rule of thumb, the build-test cycle should be under 15 minutes.

Also, as well as executing functional tests, any non-functional tests required, such as performance, load/stress, and security quality gates, should be configured to be executed in the CI/CD pipeline as well.

Where possible, multiple tests should be run in parallel to reduce execution time.

Unit testing frameworks typically support this, and cloud-based testing platforms such as Sauce Labs or BrowserStack can also help run UI tests on multiple browsers, devices, and platforms concurrently. Also, consider implementing “smart” test prioritization by focusing on high-impact tests and those related to recent code changes to ensure critical issues are identified and addressed earlier in the development cycle.

4. Monitoring, Analyzing, and Optimizing Test Execution Metrics for Scalability and Maintainability

Regularly monitoring and analyzing test execution metrics helps with continuously improving in an evidence-based way. Defining key performance indicators (KPIs), such as test duration, pass/fail rates, test coverage, test flakiness, and code quality metrics, can help with understanding testing effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Implement a monitoring system that automatically collects and stores test execution metrics. Tools such as TestRail, qTest, or custom dashboards can help with this to visualize testing metrics and track progress. The metrics should be regularly reviewed to identify trends and potential bottlenecks, using the insights to optimize test cases and improve test coverage.

Leverage feedback loops by incorporating learnings from your test execution metrics analysis into your development process.

Enhance test suite design, prioritize high-impact test cases, and address performance bottlenecks to ensure your test automation remains scalable and maintainable. Each team should ideally monitor, analyze, and optimize their testing process, allowing them to independently and effectively scale their test automation and maintain high code quality across diverse client datasets.

5. Data-Generation, Privacy, and Security Considerations in Test Automation

When testing in relation to complex client datasets, it is, of course, important to consider data privacy and security.

To help ensure sufficient coverage of client use cases, one way to start is by creating realistic synthetic data that mimic real-world client datasets. Tools such as Faker or TestDataBot can be used to create data for diverse testing scenarios without compromising client privacy. While this approach can be very flexible, there can be significant upkeep required to keep the synthetic data up-to-date and in sync with real-world client datasets and application functionality.

Another approach involves dynamically generating testing data from actual client datasets. To do this, sensitive information must be protected by implementing data anonymization and pseudonymization techniques, such as tokenization, data masking, and differential privacy. Tools such as Gretel, Tonic, Tricentis, and Eggplant can potentially help with this.

Strict access controls to live client environments should be maintained with role-based access control (RBAC), limiting personnel access to sensitive data and regularly auditing permissions. Compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA, must be ensured also based on your target market and client requirements.

TL;DR

To scale test automation for your B2B SaaS company with complex client datasets, it helps to consider 5 key areas:

1. Adopting a modular approach and designing reusable test components for an organized and efficient testing process
2. Appropriate test case design, selection, and AI-assisted automation to ensure comprehensive test coverage
3. Integrating tools, technologies, and parallel test execution for improved performance and faster feedback
4. Monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing test execution metrics for continuous improvement and scalability
5. Implementing data generation and prioritizing privacy and security in test automation

Hope this helps. See you next Sunday!

Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

1. Work with me 1:1 to build your team, product, platform, or career in tech.
2. Book a free discovery call with me to explore if your business needs would be a good fit for my advisory services. If we’re not a good fit, rest assured I’ll kindly let you know.