Cutting test cycles to by up to 80% with enterprise automated testing excellence

The complexity and multiple backend business rules as dependencies made it difficult for the client to maintain trade settlements. Dealing with intricate backend business rules for trade settlements posed a significant challenge. Ensuring accurate testing across these complexities added to the testing burden. The various databases involved throughout the process made handling data an added challenge.

Handling the landscape of automating sophisticated API and database rules was a challenge. These tasks frequently required custom Java code, adding an extra layer of complexity to the process. As if this weren't challenging enough, the scope of the challenge expands significantly, considering the sheer volume of the undertaking. With over 100 projects distributed across diverse U.S. locations, the complexity of automating API and DB rules is further amplified. This intricate space of considerations requires a robust technical framework to ensure successful automation implementation and maintain optimal performance across such an extensive and intricate landscape.

One of the significant hurdles faced by the client was adequate testing infrastructure that can facilitate comprehensive test coverage and expedite execution speed. A key missing element is the simultaneous running of test scripts, which enables the assessment of applications across various settings within a reasonable time frame. This goal depended on a highly resilient testing infrastructure for the client to sustain parallel testing operations. This obstacle magnifies limited test automation scope constraints, highlighting the urgent need for a robust testing framework.

The performance assessment methodology was to simulate varying workloads to stress-test the SAP ecosystem. This would help understand if the new architecture was ready to handle fluctuations in demand without compromising performance. Stress testing would also offer insights into the stability of the new system and user satisfaction.

Their existing test automation capabilities inherently limited the client's testing scope. This constraint hindered their ability to thoroughly address critical scenarios, creating potential gaps within their test coverage. The deficiency in robust in-sprint testing led to a real-time validation gap within their development cycles. This gap resulted in delayed issue identification, slowing down the development process and impeding its efficiency. The absence of a centralized automation framework fragmented their automation landscape. This disjointed approach scattered their automation efforts and introduced inefficiencies in managing and coordinating automation processes.

Automating testing processes demands a substantial upfront investment encompassing tools, skilled personnel, infrastructure, and more. Furthermore, licensing expenses may arise atop operational costs. Even with open-source solutions like Selenium, there's the additional consideration of training resources and establishing the necessary grid. This caused a significant hurdle in the clients' testing efforts, as management support for such investments was hard. These financial aspects added the burden of escalating automation maintenance costs, pushing for strategic approaches to ensure a sustainable and cost-effective testing framework.

Birlasoft's endeavor focused on revolutionizing the client's test automation landscape, which grappled with challenges like prolonged test cycles and limited test coverage. In response, a strategic approach was adopted, aligning with the client's needs for comprehensive and efficient test automation. The outcome was a transformational impact that significantly optimized their testing processes and elevated overall efficiency.

Birlasoft embarked on a mission to redefine the client's test automation strategy, aiming to streamline and enhance testing processes across critical domains, including Settlement Hub, Same Day Settlement, Corporate Data Services, and MFIX (Mutual Fund Information Exchange). This initiative was ingrained from the outset, commencing with Sprint 0, to ensure optimal coverage and effectiveness. A pivotal role was played in the evolution of the enterprise automation framework, infusing a dynamic and robust foundation.

The Dynamic DevOps Pipeline was designed to support over 100 regression automation projects spanning GUI, API, and DB automation. This pioneering approach significantly accelerated testing cycles while ensuring comprehensive coverage. The result was a drastic reduction in test cycle time, from a substantial 15 days down to an impressive three days, providing faster feedback loops and expedited development cycles.

The impact of test automation resonated profoundly, as witnessed through the implementation of Pre-Prod testing for eight clients in the Same Day Settlement domain, with a remarkable achievement of 0 User Acceptance Testing (UAT) defects. This feature provided the newfound depth of test coverage and the level of precision achieved through the streamlined automation framework. Notably, up to 95% regression test automation coverage was achieved in critical areas such as Settlement and risk and an equal percentage in wealth management, further reinforcing the enhanced quality assurance.

The dedicated and strategic approach to test automation brought about a paradigm shift in the client's testing landscape. The reduction in test cycle time expanded test coverage, and the remarkable achievement of zero UAT defects illuminated the substantial impact on testing efficiency and software quality, further solidifying Birlasoft's role as a catalyst for transformation and progress.

Birlasoft's implementation of Smart Impact Analysis emerged as a critical cornerstone for the project's success. Leveraging advanced analysis, the innovative approach enabled the proactive identification of high-impact testing scenarios. The Smart Impact Analysis significantly optimized resource allocation to streamline testing efforts, and enhanced testing efficiency by intelligently prioritizing test cases based on their potential business impact. This transformative capability resulted in accelerated feedback loops, quicker bug detection, and improved software quality for the client.

Integrating In-Sprint Automation into the project marked a significant shift toward real-time validation and enhanced quality assurance. Birlasoft's strategic focus on automated testing within development sprints eliminated issue identification and resolution delays. This proactive approach ensured potential defects were detected early in the development lifecycle, minimizing rework and accelerating the software delivery. The seamless integration of automated tests into the sprint cycle fostered a culture of continuous testing, enabling agile teams to deliver higher-quality software confidently.

Birlasoft's pivotal role in the evolution of the Automation Framework underpinned the project's scalability and adaptability. The strategic design of an enterprise-level framework, rooted in best practices and industry standards, laid the foundation for efficient and maintainable test automation. The Automation Framework became a robust engine driving testing efforts by embracing modern methodologies like Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) and the Page Object Model. This evolution translated to reduced maintenance overhead, accelerated script development, and heightened test coverage, ultimately amplifying the project's value proposition.

The strategic implementation of test automation by Birlasoft has profoundly influenced the post-trade infrastructure company's operations. The organization has witnessed a transformative shift in its software testing practices by adopting advanced techniques. These changes have not only bolstered the company's competitive advantage but have also resulted in enhanced visibility across critical control surfaces.