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Why include Test Automation when Outsourcing testing

Outsourcing of testing services using Managed Testing Services providers is increasingly a very attractive approach for several organizations to execute all test except UAT. However most organizations do not realize the full benefits of that outsourcing engagement by not mandating Test Automation.

Sure, it sounds very difficult because automation projects are complex and so are outsourcing testing services - why execute both at the same time and increase overall risk?

Well here are some really good reasons why it makes excellent sense to mandate automation as you go through test services outsourcing.

Knowledge Transfer/Acquisition - The type of knowledge transfer that needs to happen to execute outsourcing is very similar to an automation project. In fact this is one of the reasons why automation projects executed internally face so many challenges because there never is that much time to acquire all the knowledge needed to develop a good automation framework. But if it has to happen anyway for outsourcing it can be leveraged to automate as well.

Better Return on Investment - If an organization outsources testing and if a significant part of that is not automated the moment the outsourcing relationship ends most of the investment that went into that relationship evaporates. Sure there will be excellent test scripts that could be executed but the linear effort needed to test every release remains. If on the other hand the testing were automated those test cases can always be executed and maintained by a different team.

Access to Expertise - Another challenge most internal automation projects face is not having access to technical expertise needed to execute complex projects like automation. On the other hand an outsourcing partner has the ability to bring in the automation experts for the duration of the automation exercise to develop frameworks and core assets to successfully execute automation.

If executed properly Outsourcing of testing with an emphasis on automation delivers significantly more returns that are sustainable over a longer period of time.