Test Automation Architectures: Planning for Test Automation

Designing a practical test automation architecture provides a solid foundation for a successful automation effort. This paper describes key elements of automated testing that need to be considered, models for testing that can be used for designing a test automation architecture, and considerations for successfully combining the elements to form an automated test environment. The paper first develops a general framework for discussion of software testing and test automation. This includes a definition of test automation, a model for software tests, and a discussion of test oracles. The remainder of the paper focuses on using the framework to plan for a test automation architecture that addresses the requirements for the specific software under test (SUT).