TestGuild Automation Podcast

Accessibility is more than just a checkbox; it's become a civil right and a human need. Today, we'll explore how proper automation can elevate your accessibility testing to the next level. Check out our sponsors accessibility automation tool now: https://testguild.me/astack In today's episode, "Automation and Accessibility: Mutual, Not Exclusive," Crystal Preston-Watson, a senior digital accessibility analyst at Salesforce, joins us. This session was taken from our Automation Guild 2022 online event, where Crystal took us on an insightful journey, addressing higher-level questions and critical issues related to accessibility testing, specifically in automation. She also covers the essential considerations teams must consider before diving into accessibility automation. Learn about the different types of accessibility testing—manual, automation, and user acceptance—and discover why automated tools alone aren't enough to ensure proper accessibility. Listen in to discover the importance of experience with accessibility, the need for company-wide support and capacity, and best practices for combining manual and automated testing. By the way, to get on the waitlist for the lowest prices on tickets for the next Automation Guild event in February, go to automationguild.com now. And speaking of accessibility testing, I wanted to share an automated accessibility tool from this episode's sponsor, Browserstack.

In this episode, we discuss what QE should know about security testing with our distinguished guest, Boris Arapovic, a senior quality engineer and director of quality assurance at IBM IX. Discover how to integrate static security scans such as SonarQube into developer workflows, the role of security skills in hiring testers, and how to enhance API security. Boris shares his insights on the evolving significance of security fundamentals, the impact of AI on our industry, and practical, actionable strategies for conducting comprehensive security testing. We'll also discuss empowering testers through exploratory testing, penetration testing for critical releases, and the creative use of hacker personas. Boris underscores the necessity of a holistic team approach to cybersecurity and the importance of continuous learning with must know resources. Listen up!

Stephen Kilbourn, an experienced automation tester and Automation Guild member, dives into the world of API testing tools: Postman, Playwright, and Jest. He explains the significance of API-level testing and shares practical tips for each tool. Discover how Postman allows schema validation and its pros and cons, while Playwright offers a unique request context for API tests but comes with adoption challenges. Lastly, Stephen demonstrates using Jest with Axios, showcasing different approaches and helping listeners choose the best tool for their needs.

In this episode, Ashish Ghosh, a test automation architect at ING Bank, shares a new open source Playwright automation framework called INGenious Playwright Studio. Ingenious is a low-code test automation framework designed to empower business users in the automation process. Ashish shares insights on overcoming the challenges of traditional coded solutions, emphasizing the importance of business user involvement and the cost-effective advantages of open-source tools over commercial alternatives. He explains how Ingenious seamlessly transitioned from Selenium to Playwright, enhancing reliability and eliminating the need for glue code in BDD approaches. Join us to discover how the INGenious framework supports comprehensive enterprise-grade testing, from web applications to APIs, databases, and mobile testing, while fostering a collaborative culture through community feedback and contributions.

In this session, Rudolf Groetz shares how Raiffeisen Bank International adapted its test automation strategy to incorporate a low-code approach. Discover how to transform from a traditional model to a more inclusive, agile approach. Try Low-code yourself now w/BrowserStack: https://testguild.me/lowcode Listen in to discover: The Challenges and motivations behind transitioning to a low-code strategy. Understand the steps to evaluate and select the appropriate low-code tools. See how non-technical users were empowered to participate in test automation. Observe the proof of concept results and how they impressed stakeholders. Hear the inspiring story of a biomedical intern discovering a passion for software development through this process.

Today, we have a phenomenal session with our special guest, Christian Bromann, the visionary full-stack engineer behind the open-source WebDriverIO automation framework. Join us as we explore the practical benefits of WebDriverIO version 9's new features. These include WebDriver Bidi Enhancements, New URL Command Parameters, Automatic Piercing of Web Components, iFrames, Shadow DOMs, and more. Christian will share invaluable insights on the importance of responsible web API overrides, improvements in serialization, viewport management, and the exciting new OCR testing feature. We'll also touch on WebDriverIO's future directions, including UI enhancements and a new application to aid developers during testing. Whether you're a seasoned automation expert or just starting out, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and opportunities to contribute to the world of WebDriverIO. Listen in, and get ready to elevate your automation game!

Today, we have a special guest, Gojko Adzic, who introduces his new book "Lizard Optimization." Check out BrowserStack Test Management testguild.me/browserstack Join us as Gojko walks us through the significant value testers can bring to organizations beyond merely reporting bugs and evaluating product readiness. We'll delve into his rich experiences with user behavior at scale and the formidable challenges he's faced while offering practical strategies to unlock remarkable product growth. In this episode, we discuss Gojko's innovative four-step lizard optimization method and the hidden power of edge cases. Gojko emphasizes testers' fundamental role in product innovation, mainly through experimentation and user behavior analysis. We'll also touch on the balance between addressing accessibility needs and identifying obstacles in user workflows to enhance usability for everyone. Listen in as Joe and Gojko explore the insightful intersection of user expectations and software design, leveraging customer support data for product improvements and the transformative potential of monitoring production environments. Whether you're a software tester, developer, or product manager, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking perspectives that promise to elevate your approach to software development and user engagement. Don't miss out!

Today, our host, Joe Colantonio, is joined by an extraordinary guest: Greg Paskal. A veteran with over 40 years of experience at the cutting edge of software testing and automation, Greg has dedicated a significant part of his career to pioneering innovative approaches in the field, but what sets him apart is his inspiring initiative in Rwanda. Through METS (Minimal Essential Test Strategy), Greg empowers women with limited technology experience by teaching them the essentials of test engineering and automation. This episode delves into Greg's mission to combat poverty and make a generational difference, emphasizing the transformative power of education. We also explore his strategies for building effective testing teams, the importance of communication skills, and the exciting plans for a new open-source automation framework. Don't miss this episode if you're passionate about technology, education, and making a positive impact. Join us as we explore Greg Paskal's remarkable journey and achievements.

In today's episode, we explore OpenTelemetry, a powerful tool that is transforming how you observe and diagnose your systems in production. Checkout Test Observability yourself now: https://testguild.me/browserstack Have you ever faced unexplained system failures or performance issues and wondered how to identify and resolve them quickly? Our guest, Swapnil Kotwal, Test Lead Engineer at SailPoint Technologies, brings his 12 years of expertise to shed light on how OpenTelemetry unifies fragmented data silos into a seamless observability stack. Swapnil guides us through ensuring unparalleled clarity and flexibility in our infrastructure, from the foundations of observability to practical implementations in distributed systems. This episode is valuable, especially for test automation teams dealing with flaky tests and fragmented tools. So, let's embrace the observability revolution and future-proof our strategies together. Stay tuned!

Mark Creamer, President and CEO of Conformiq, shares his 40 years of expertise in software testing and AI. He highlights the transformative powers of Generative AI and Symbolic AI in test automation. Mark discusses how these technologies streamline test case generation while enhancing collaboration in agile teams. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding both AI types for effective testing, especially in regulated environments, and shares practical insights for leveraging models to optimize testing processes.