AutomatePro AutoTest Operations Process is vital for enhancing the efficiency of testing in ServiceNow environments. Research from Gartner and Forrester reveals that over 65% of CXOs actively prioritize business velocity, highlighting their commitment to responding quickly to market changes. It should be no surprise therefore to learn that over 70% of organizations are prioritizing Test automation in their quality assurance strategies, adopting robust test solutions.

This structured process not only streamlines the setup and ongoing testing of AutomatePro but also promotes learning and documentation, ensuring teams are equipped to tackle challenges efficiently. By implementing this process, organizations can significantly reduce testing times and improve software quality, leading to higher satisfaction rates among users and stakeholders.

Key AutomatePro AutoTest Operations Process Overview

1. Instance Setup and Configuration: Laying the Groundwork

In this initial phase, confirm your instance allocation and collaborate closely with ServiceNow admin teams to establish access. Next, customize your settings and install necessary plugins for optimal performance, ensuring a solid foundation for your testing environment.

• AutomatePro Support
• AutomatePro Website
• Installation Guide
• ServiceNow Store – AutomatePro
• Setup Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

2. Testing AutomatePro AutoTest Operations Process Readiness:

Once the setup is complete, conduct initial setup tests to verify the functionality of all installed plugins. Additionally, validate API connections and document your findings. This ensures everything is functioning as intended and sets the stage for successful testing.

3. User Onboarding: Empowering Your Team

Next, define user roles clearly and create accounts with the appropriate permissions. This step streamlines operations and enhances accountability. Clarifying responsibilities in test management further empowers your team to contribute effectively to the testing process.

Using ServiceNow Assignment Group Roles Based Access Control is practical for creation of your teams and model blocks.

3a. Define Roles

Identify the roles needed for your team, such as Admin, Developer, Tester, Operator, Documenter, and Project Manager. Each role will have specific permissions tailored to their tasks.

3b. Create Assignment Groups Table

Create assignment groups in AutomatePro and assign the defined roles to these groups. Here’s a table to illustrate:

Assignment Group	Roles	Description	AutomatePro Functionality	Personas	Users
Admin Group	Admin	Full access to all system settings and configurations.	AutoPlan, AutoDev, AutoTest, AutoDeploy, AutoMonitor, AutoDoc	System Administrators	IT Managers, Senior Developers
Developer Group	Developer	Access to development tools and environments.	AutoDev, AutoTest	Developers	Software Engineers, Junior Developers
Tester Group	Tester	Access to testing tools and environments.	AutoTest	QA Engineers	Testers, QA Analysts
Operations Group	Operator	Access to deployment and monitoring tools.	AutoDeploy, AutoMonitor	Operations Managers	DevOps Engineers, System Operators
Documentation Group	Documenter	Access to documentation tools.	AutoDoc	Technical Writers	Documentation Specialists, Content Creators
Project Management Group	Project Manager	Access to project planning and management tools.	AutoPlan	Project Managers	Project Coordinators, Scrum Masters

3c. Assign Users to Groups

Assign users to the appropriate assignment groups based on their roles and responsibilities. This ensures they have the necessary permissions to perform their tasks.

3d. Configure Permissions

In AutomatePro, configure the permissions for each role within the assignment groups. This typically involves:

• Admin Group: Full access to all functionalities.
• Developer Group: Access to development and testing tools.
• Tester Group: Access to testing tools and environments.
• Operations Group: Access to deployment and monitoring tools.
• Documentation Group: Access to documentation tools.
• Project Management Group: Access to project planning and management tools.

4. Training and User Enablement: Building Competence

Use the AutomatePro Learning Portal. Organize comprehensive training sessions tailored specifically to each user role. By providing essential documentation and conducting knowledge assessments, you reinforce learning and ensure that all team members are well-prepared to utilize the AutomatePro tools effectively.

5. Test Library Setup and Categorization: Organizing for Efficiency

Establish clear test categories to enhance organization within your testing environment. Set up a structured library that is easy to navigate. Assign maintenance roles to designated team members and regularly review test cases for relevance and accuracy to maintain an effective testing resource.

Setting up a well-organized test library in AutomatePro involves several key steps to ensure efficiency and maintainability. Here’s a guide to help you get started:

5a. Establish Clear Test Categories

Define and maintain categories based on the types of tests you need, such as:

• Functional Tests
• Regression Tests
• Performance Tests
• Security Tests
• User Acceptance Tests (UAT)

5b. Set Up a Structured Library

Organize your test cases into a structured library that is easy to navigate. Here’s a suggested structure:

• Top-Level Categories: Main categories like Functional, Regression, etc.
• Sub-Categories: More specific areas within each main category, such as login tests, payment processing tests, etc.
• Test Cases: Individual test cases within each sub-category.

5c. Assign Maintenance Roles

Designate team members responsible for maintaining different parts of the test library. This ensures that each section is regularly reviewed and updated. Roles might include:

• Test Librarian: Oversees the entire test library.
• Category Owners: Responsible for specific categories.
• Test Case Maintainers: Update and maintain individual test cases.

5d. Regularly Review Test Cases

Schedule regular reviews to ensure test cases remain relevant and accurate. This can involve:

• Monthly Reviews: Quick checks to ensure no outdated or redundant tests.
• Quarterly Reviews: More in-depth reviews to update test cases based on recent changes or new requirements.

5e. Document Your Findings

Keep detailed records of your reviews and updates. This helps in tracking changes and maintaining a history of modifications.

Example Table for Test Library Setup

Category	Sub-Category	Test Case	Assigned To	Last Reviewed	Notes
Functional	Login Tests	Test Login 1	John Doe	2024-10-01
Functional	Payment Tests	Test Payment 1	Jane Smith	2024-09-15
Regression	User Profile	Test Profile 1	Mark Lee	2024-08-20

5f. Empowering Your Team

1. Define User Roles Clearly:
   • Identify specific roles needed for your team.
   • Create accounts with appropriate permissions.
2. Streamline Operations:
   • Assign roles based on responsibilities.
   • Use ServiceNow Assignment Group Roles Based Access Control for team creation and model blocks.
3. Enhance Accountability:
   • Clarify responsibilities in test management.
   • Empower your team to contribute effectively.

6. Managing Test Plan Defects: Ensuring Quality

Create a structured workflow for defect resolution, categorizing defects according to their nature and severity. This proactive approach allows you to track defect status in real-time. Regular review meetings will ensure that everyone stays informed and that progress is made in resolving issues.

6a. AutomatePro defect management workflow:

1. New Defect: The process begins with the identification of a new defect, which is logged into the system.
2. Open: The defect is then opened for further action and assessment.
3. Assigned: The defect is assigned to a specific team member responsible for addressing it.
4. In Progress: The assigned team member works on resolving the defect.
5. Fixed: Once the defect is resolved, it is marked as fixed.
6. Ready for Retest: The fixed defect is prepared for retesting to ensure that the resolution is effective.
7. Retested: The defect undergoes retesting to confirm the fix.
8. Closed: If the retesting is successful, the defect is closed.
9. Reopened: If issues persist, the defect may be reopened for further investigation and reassignment.

6b. Additional Paths:

• If the defect is Deferred, it will be set aside for future attention.
• It can be Rejected if deemed invalid or unnecessary.
• It may be marked as a Duplicate if it already exists in the system.
• If the issue is Not Reproducible, it will be documented as such.
• If further details are needed, the defect will be flagged as Need More Information.

This workflow ensures a structured approach to defect management, promoting efficient tracking and resolution of issues. If you need more detail on any specific step, feel free to ask!

7. Continuous Improvement: Fostering Excellence

Finally, monitor the effectiveness of your test plan regularly. Conduct quarterly audits to identify areas for enhancement. Gather user feedback to refine processes continuously, and report key performance metrics to maintain transparency and drive accountability.

7a. Baseline Strategy

1. Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
   • Establish clear KPIs to measure the success of the ServiceNow upgrades and overall testing processes. Examples of KPIs include:
     • Upgrade timeline duration.
     • Testing effort required (in hours or resources).
     • Process owner effort during upgrades.
     • Number of defects identified during testing phases.
2. Current State Assessment:
   • Document the current performance metrics prior to implementing any changes:
     • Upgrade Timeline: Average time taken for past upgrades.
     • Testing Effort: Average hours spent on manual testing.
     • Process Owner Involvement: Average hours contributed by process owners during the upgrade process.
     • Defect Rate: Number of defects identified post-upgrade.
3. User Satisfaction Metrics:
   • Collect user feedback regarding the testing process and overall experience with the ServiceNow platform. This can be through surveys or interviews to gauge satisfaction levels before implementing improvements.

7b. Improvement Strategy

1. Implement Automation Tools:
   • Integrate tools like AutomatePro to automate testing processes, aiming to reduce manual efforts and improve consistency in results.
2. Regular Monitoring and Audits:
   • Conduct Quarterly Audits:
     • Assess the defined KPIs every quarter to identify areas for enhancement.
     • Compare current metrics against the baseline established to determine improvement.
3. Feedback Mechanism:
   • Establish a continuous feedback loop with users to refine processes and tools. Regularly gather insights from users about their experiences, challenges faced, and suggestions for improvement.
4. Data Analysis for Improvement:
   • Analyze the data collected post-implementation:
     • Monitor changes in upgrade timelines, testing effort, and process owner involvement.
     • Track defect rates pre- and post-automation to evaluate the effectiveness of the new processes.
5. Report Key Metrics:
   • Regularly communicate key performance metrics to stakeholders to maintain transparency and drive accountability.
   • Use visual dashboards to present performance data clearly and facilitate discussions on areas needing attention.
6. Adapt and Iterate:
   • Based on the data analysis and user feedback, make necessary adjustments to the processes and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness continually.

7c. Monitoring Effectiveness

• Quarterly Reviews: Conduct quarterly audits of the KPIs to assess improvements against the baseline.
• User Feedback: Gather and analyze user feedback continuously to ensure that processes are meeting their needs.
• Performance Metrics Reporting: Regularly report on key metrics to ensure transparency and accountability, driving further improvements in the testing process.

Other AutomatePro AutoTest Operations Process Resources

• 7 Essential Tips for New ServiceNow Professionals : AutomatePro
• AutoTest | ServiceNow Test Automation Solution | AutomatePro : AutomatePro
• FAQs | Automated Testing Solution for ServiceNow : AutomatePro
• Setup Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Using the AutomatePro Learning Portal