ServiceNow’s Automated Test Framework (ATF) is a powerful tool designed to automate your testing processes, saving time and improving accuracy. This guide will explore what ServiceNow ATF is, how it works, and how you can leverage its key features for more efficient testing.
By automating UI, server-side, and REST API tests, ATF streamlines quality assurance, reduces your QA workload, and accelerates application deployment. It also offers Quick Start Tests with over 600 pre-built templates, allowing you to quickly set up and customize a testing strategy that meets your specific needs.
Understanding ServiceNow ATF
The Automated Test Framework (ATF) is a powerful tool within the ServiceNow platform, designed to streamline your upgrade and quality assurance (QA) processes. It allows you to create automated tests for a wide range of functions, including UI, server-side logic, and REST APIs. For developers, this means you no longer have to refactor code to generate new test cases, which not only saves time but also ensures comprehensive coverage across your entire application.
The framework includes advanced features that enhance testing efficiency and reliability. For instance, headless browser support lets you test UI functionality without the need for manual browser interaction, while automation for service catalog requests and forms simplifies routine tasks. While ATF provides a robust platform for thorough testing, it’s crucial to remember that these tests should never be run on a live production instance to avoid any unintended disruptions.
Key Benefits of Using ServiceNow ATF
- Reduced QA Workload: By automating repetitive and manual tests, ATF significantly reduces the workload on your quality assurance teams. This frees them up to focus on more complex, strategic testing and analysis.
- Faster Application Deployment: ATF accelerates the testing process, which in turn speeds up your application development lifecycle. This allows you to deploy new applications and updates more quickly and with greater confidence.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Automated tests are consistent and repeatable, eliminating the potential for human error. This ensures a higher degree of accuracy in your test results, leading to more reliable applications.
- Improved Upgrade Confidence: With over 600 pre-built Quick Start Tests, ATF allows you to validate core functionalities after a ServiceNow platform upgrade quickly. This helps you identify and resolve potential issues before they impact your live environment.
- Simplified Test Management: ATF provides a unified platform for organizing, managing, and tracking all your tests. Features like parallel testing allow you to run multiple tests simultaneously, streamlining your overall testing strategy.
Components of Automated Test Framework
ServiceNow’s Automated Test Framework is built on a collection of standard components that facilitate the creation and execution of practical test scenarios. Key features include:
- Headless browser capabilities to test UI functionalities without manual browser intervention, ensuring smooth and efficient test runs.
- Over 100 standard components are designed for common functionalities.
- Extensive customization and flexibility in testing, as outlined on the ServiceNow developer site.
The ATF feature is designed to be user-friendly, accommodating both no-code and low-code users. This inclusivity enables a broader range of users to create automated test scenarios without requiring extensive programming knowledge. Whether you’re validating UI elements or performing server-side checks, ATF’s comprehensive set of tools and features ensures that your tests are both robust and versatile.
Creating Tests in ServiceNow ATF
The ServiceNow Automated Test Framework supports the creation of custom test step configurations, enabling users to tailor automated tests to their unique needs. These custom configurations can include a variety of actions, such as validating UI elements, performing field assertions, and simulating user interactions, to provide a comprehensive testing environment.
The configuration of test steps in ATF is highly flexible, allowing for easy modification and reuse across different test cases. This adaptability not only streamlines the test creation process but also enhances overall efficiency for your core testing strategies.
Organizing Tests into Test Suites
Organizing tests into test suites is a critical aspect of managing automated testing in ServiceNow ATF. Test suites allow users to encapsulate multiple tests, enabling them to be executed together for streamlined management and execution. Grouping related tests into suites enhances organization and makes it easier to manage and track the outcomes of related functionalities collectively.
Test suites can be tailored to specific functionalities or business processes, optimizing test execution based on application areas. This organization helps track test coverage and results, ensuring that all necessary aspects of the application are thoroughly tested and verified. By effectively organizing tests into suites, users can achieve a more efficient and structured testing process.
Running Automated Tests
Running automated tests in ServiceNow ATF can be done manually or scheduled for continuous testing. The test runner in ServiceNow allows users to initiate tests directly through the interface, providing a straightforward method for manual execution. Additionally, the framework supports scheduling tests to run at specified times, allowing for continuous testing without requiring manual intervention.
Executing tests in different environments ensures that they are reliable across various instances, which is crucial for maintaining consistency and reliability in testing outcomes. Whether running tests manually or on a schedule, ServiceNow ATF provides the tools necessary to ensure comprehensive and effective automated testing.
Analyzing Test Results
After running tests, analyzing the results is a crucial step to validate outcomes and ensure the application’s functionality. The test runner provides detailed logs and results, making it easier to debug and validate the actions taken during tests. These results include detailed outputs that showcase the steps executed, helping users understand the test process.
Statuses of test runs indicate whether tests have passed, failed, or are pending, allowing for a quick assessment of overall test status outcomes. Screenshots captured during testing serve as visual evidence of the test states at specific points, aiding in failure analysis and debugging. Identifying failures involves reviewing logs and outputs to highlight any discrepancies or errors encountered during test execution.
Additionally, test durations are recorded to provide insights into how long each test took to execute, which can be helpful for performance evaluation. By thoroughly analyzing test results, users can validate the outcomes of automated tests and ensure that their applications perform as expected, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of their software.
Quick Start Tests
For users new to ServiceNow ATF, Quick Start Tests offer a simplified initial setup process. These tests are designed to help users begin testing quickly within the ServiceNow environment by providing over 600 pre-built tests and templates. Quick Start Tests come equipped with predefined templates and demo data, facilitating the creation of customized test scenarios and easing users into the testing process.
These tests include templates that streamline the creation of custom tests and test suites, providing a foundational setup that users can adapt to their specific needs. The pre-configured demo data included in Quick Start Tests helps users set up their testing environment quickly and efficiently. By leveraging these pre-built tests and templates, users can rapidly establish a comprehensive testing strategy without the need for extensive initial configuration.
Common Test Step Configurations
ServiceNow ATF allows for the creation of tailored test components in addition to using over 100 standard testing components, providing significant flexibility in test configurations. Test actions can be configured without requiring runtime data, thereby enhancing the flexibility and adaptability of the test scenarios.
These configurations enable developers to create robust and adaptable test environments, ultimately improving the effectiveness of automated testing. By defining test actions through step configurations, developers can create highly customized and effective tests tailored to their specific requirements.
Asserting Test Success
Asserting test success is a critical component of automated testing, as it allows developers to verify expected behaviors and ensure that applications function correctly. Utilizing assert types enhances test accuracy and reliability by comparing actual results against predefined expectations. Various assert types, such as assertEqual, assertTrue, and assertVisible, serve different purposes during testing and help validate different conditions.
Each assert type can be used to validate conditions, ensuring that the application behaves as intended. By clearly defining conditions with assert types, testers can accurately identify whether a test has succeeded or failed. Proper use of assert types leads to higher confidence in application functionality and reduced risk of undetected issues.
Managing User Roles
Managing user roles within ServiceNow ATF is essential for controlling who can create, modify, and run automated tests. User roles can be assigned based on specific needs, allowing for tailored access to different functionalities within the ATF. ServiceNow provides predefined roles that can be utilized or customized to meet organizational requirements, ensuring that permissions are appropriately aligned with user responsibilities.
How Can We Help?
Surety Systems provides deep knowledge and strategic insight to every project, ensuring your test suites are not just built but are fully optimized to meet your unique business needs.
Our senior-level ServiceNow consultants work collaboratively with your team to establish a robust testing framework, automate key processes, and provide the training necessary for long-term success. With our support, you can streamline your quality assurance, accelerate application deployment, and maximize your return on investment.
Contact Us
For more information about our ServiceNow consulting services or to get started on a project with our team, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ServiceNow ATF free?
ServiceNow’s Automated Test Framework (ATF) is a free, out-of-the-box feature that does not incur any additional licensing costs. It facilitates automated testing, thereby enhancing efficiency without added expenses.
What is ServiceNow ATF?
ServiceNow ATF is an Automated Test Framework that enhances upgrade and quality assurance processes by enabling users to create automated tests without requiring code refactoring. Its implementation facilitates more efficient testing workflows.
How can I create tests in ServiceNow ATF?
To create tests in ServiceNow ATF, configure custom test steps to validate UI elements and simulate user interactions, allowing for modification and reuse across various test cases. This approach ensures efficient and effective test execution.
What are Quick Start Tests in ServiceNow ATF?
Quick Start Tests in ServiceNow ATF are pre-built tests and templates that facilitate a quick initial setup, enabling users to commence testing efficiently using predefined templates and demo data.
