MANUAL TESTING

AUTOMATED TESTING

Can be random and error-prone if not managed correctly

Very expensive to purchase and implement

Experienced testing staff can be ready to test immediately

Requires specific training in the use of automated test tools

Slow in its nature due to being Human resource intensive

Takes time to train existing staff up and to implement

Boring to perform by testing staff in certain areas

It is a software development effort on its own

More flexible

Less flexible when it comes to ‘work-around’ solutions

Suitable for both short-term and long term testing requirements

Primarily for long term benefit

Is as complex as the developed test scenarios that are produced

Makes testing more complex

Not too complicated to configure, mainly dependant upon close management

Complicated and hard to configure

Testing staff errors can happen during testing

Automating implemented tests can create as many problems as it solves

Frequency of testing must be closely monitored, managed and scheduled accordingly

Allows testing to happen more frequently

Careful management required to ensure test consistency

Ensure test consistency

Staff need to be more aware of the implications and needs of testing

Allows testing to be done by staff with less skills