Not everything that can be automated should be.
The Industry’s Obsession with “Automate Everything”.
The narrative around test automation has been shaped not just by practitioners—but heavily by the companies that build and sell automation tools.
For years, we’ve heard:
“If you’re not automating everything, you’re doing it wrong.”
It sounds bold. Efficient. Inevitable.
But that narrative is often more about selling tools than about solving real-world QA problems.
These companies know the trade-offs:
- That many automated tests become fragile and high-maintenance
- That scripting unstable features leads to endless rework
- That automation is often treated as a success metric in itself, regardless of whether it’s actually improving quality
Despite all its promises, automation has rarely delivered its full potential. Why?
Because the ROI is quickly eroded by maintenance costs, false positives, tool churn, and shifting app structures. And more automation doesn’t necessarily mean better testing—it just means more things that can break.
Now, with AI entering the space—offering self-healing tests, smart locators, and adaptive flows—there’s a real chance automation could finally move beyond brittle scripting.
But here’s the key:
That doesn’t mean we should automate more—it means we need to automate smarter.
QA teams need to evaluate where AI and automation actually serve the strategy—not just assume that “AI will solve it all.” Otherwise, we risk repeating the same cycle: overpromising, over-automating, under-delivering.
Here, I’ll highlight the Top 5 Test Automation Tips to incorporate in your QA strategy to become more agile and effective
1. Automate High-Impact, Repetitive Tasks
Automate tasks that are time-consuming, repetitive, and consistently needed—like regression tests, smoke tests, and basic data validations.
Why it matters:
This frees up testers for critical thinking and exploratory testing, while reducing human error on routine checks.
Example:
Automate login and checkout flows so testers can focus on edge cases and usability instead of running the same flows daily.
2. Target Automation Where Risk Meets Stability
Prioritize automation in areas that are critical to the business and stable enough to justify maintenance.
Avoid over-investing in features that change frequently, unless failure in those areas would cause serious issues.
Why it matters:
Automation is an investment—frequent breakage or rework reduces its ROI. Focus where it delivers consistent value.
Example:
Automate a billing API used in every release cycle, but skip automating a UI screen that’s still in heavy UX iteration.
3. Use Automation to Enable Fast, Actionable Feedback
Design tests that give quick, meaningful signals when something breaks—but always use human testers to evaluate quality and context.
Why it matters:
Automation tells you that something is broken, not necessarily why or how bad. It should trigger investigation, not replace it.
Example:
Use failed automated tests as a flag for exploratory testers to investigate surrounding features or edge case behavior.
4. Write Modular, Maintainable Tests—Leverage AI When It Helps
Create modular scripts that are easy to reuse and update. Use AI-assisted tools to reduce maintenance pain (like self-healing locators or dynamic selectors).
Why it matters:
Hard-to-maintain scripts waste time and get abandoned. Smart structure and tools extend automation’s lifespan.
Example:
Use an AI-powered test platforms like Testim or Mabl ( or your preferred one ) to auto-update element locators when your UI changes.
5. Let Automation Support—Not Replace—Exploratory Testing
Use automation to cover predictable scenarios, while exploratory testing uncover unknown risks, usability issues, and context-specific problems
Why it matters:
Automation can’t ask questions, interpret emotion, or catch context-specific risks. Testers bring what scripts can’t.
Example:
Automate routine regression flows, but dedicate time to exploratory sessions before major releases or in high-risk modules.
Why This List Works:
- Focuses on Value, Not Just Coverage
Each tip is about using automation where it truly makes an impact—saving time, supporting testers, and aligning with business goals. - Promotes Balance Over Blind Automation
Encourages a thoughtful mix of automation and exploratory testing, challenging the “automate everything” mindset. - Encourages Critical Thinking:
Resists over-reliance on scripts by empowering testers to remain active, thoughtful, and collaborative in shaping product quality.
🧠 Reality Check:
“If a feature changes constantly, automating it might actually waste time.
🤖 Let’s wrap it up
Got an automation tip that’s saved you hours (or headaches)?
Share it in the comments—I’m always up for learning smarter ways to test.