How to Convert Manual Test Cases in TOSCA Easily

Introduction

Manual testing often struggles to keep up with the speed and demands of modern software development. It’s typically too slow and inefficient to meet tight delivery schedules. That’s why automation has become essential rather than optional. If you’re still working with manual test cases, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to evolve. Tricentis TOSCA stands out as a powerful solution for this transition. Its model-based testing approach enables users to effortlessly convert manual test cases in TOSCA into automated ones, streamlining the entire process.

If you’re looking to build your career in automation testing, enrolling in a TOSCA Automation Course Online can give you the skills needed to stay ahead. It also prepares you for Tricentis TOSCA Certification, a valuable credential that enhances your professional profile.

This blog post provides a step-by-step guide on how to convert manual test cases in TOSCA, offering real-world examples, hands-on tips, and practical insights to help you master this transition.

What is TOSCA and Why is It Important?

TOSCA, developed by Tricentis, is a widely used test automation tool designed to streamline and simplify the testing process. It is particularly valued in Agile and DevOps environments for its ability to support continuous testing throughout the software development lifecycle. TOSCA empowers testers to conduct both functional and regression testing with greater speed and accuracy. What makes TOSCA truly significant is its unique approach to automation, which deviates from traditional scripting methods and instead embraces a more efficient, model-based methodology.

Understanding TOSCA

Tricentis TOSCA is a powerful and comprehensive continuous testing platform that enables software testers to automate their functional and regression tests efficiently. The standout feature of TOSCA lies in its use of model-based test automation (MBTA), a strategy that eliminates the need for extensive scripting knowledge. Unlike older automation tools that rely heavily on writing lines of code to define test cases, TOSCA allows users to create models of the application under test. These models serve as reusable components for test automation, making the process not only faster but also more maintainable. This innovative approach has revolutionized how testing is done in modern software development environments.

Benefits of TOSCA

No-Code/Low-Code Platform: TOSCA provides an intuitive interface that supports both no-code and low-code test creation, making it accessible to users from both technical and non-technical backgrounds. This flexibility allows business analysts, manual testers, and developers alike to contribute to the testing process without the need for advanced programming skills.

Reusability: One of the key advantages of using TOSCA is the high level of reusability it offers. Test components and modules, once created, can be reused across multiple test cases and even across different projects. This significantly reduces redundancy and effort in test creation, enabling teams to scale their test automation effectively.

Maintenance: TOSCA’s model-based nature makes test maintenance much simpler compared to traditional script-based testing tools. When changes are made to the application, users can update the corresponding model, and the associated test cases automatically reflect those changes. This reduces the time and effort needed to maintain tests and ensures long-term sustainability of the automation suite.

Integration: TOSCA seamlessly integrates with a variety of tools used in continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. It supports popular platforms such as Jenkins, Jira, and Git, allowing teams to incorporate automated testing into their workflows. This integration capability ensures that testing is an integral part of the development process, enabling faster releases and higher quality software.

TOSCA makes the transition from manual to automated testing intuitive, especially when you know how to use its features effectively.

Challenges of Manual Testing

Before we dive into how TOSCA helps, let’s take a closer look at why manual testing presents significant challenges in modern software development environments:

Time-Consuming:
Repeating the same set of tests manually during every release cycle consumes a lot of time and resources. Each test case must be executed step-by-step by a human tester, which becomes increasingly inefficient as the number of test cases grows. This slows down the development process and can delay product releases.

Prone to Errors:
Manual testing heavily relies on human execution, which makes it susceptible to mistakes. Testers might unintentionally skip steps, misunderstand test cases, or input incorrect data. These human errors can lead to inaccurate test results and missed bugs, ultimately affecting software quality.

Scalability Issues:
As applications grow in size and complexity, the number of features, functionalities, and platforms that need testing increases significantly. Manual testing struggles to scale alongside this growth, as adding more test cases requires a proportional increase in testing effort and manpower, which is neither practical nor sustainable.

Lack of Test Coverage:
Due to tight deadlines and resource limitations, manual testing teams often have to prioritize certain test cases while leaving others untested. This leads to partial test coverage, which increases the risk of undetected bugs making their way into production. Incomplete testing undermines confidence in the software’s stability and reliability.

These challenges underscore the importance of automation, and why tools like TOSCA are gaining momentum.

Preparing for the Transition: Key Considerations

Evaluate Your Existing Test Cases

Not all manual test cases should be automated. Prioritize based on:

• Test Case Repetition
• Test Data Stability
• Business Criticality
• Execution Frequency

Training and Skill Development

Enrolling in a TOSCA Automation Course Online will equip you with:

• Hands-on experience
• Knowledge of TOSCA modules
• Skills for creating reusable components
• Insights into test case optimization

Step-by-Step Guide to Convert Manual Test Cases in TOSCA

Step 1: Analyze the Manual Test Case

A manual test case typically includes:

• Test case ID
• Test description
• Pre-conditions
• Test steps
• Expected results

You need to break these elements down into reusable actions or business components.

Step 2: Create Modules in TOSCA

TOSCA modules represent reusable objects. You can create them by scanning the application under test (AUT).

How to Create a Module:

1. Open TOSCA Commander
2. Go to ‘Modules’ section
3. Use the TOSCA XScan tool to scan your AUT
4. Identify and save controls (e.g., buttons, text fields)

Real-World Tip: Name modules descriptively (e.g., “Login_Page_Textbox_Username”) for easy reuse.

Step 3: Design Test Cases

Once modules are created, use them to design your automated test cases:

1. Navigate to ‘TestCases’ in TOSCA Commander
2. Drag and drop modules to form a sequence
3. Add input values and expected results

Step 4: Parameterization Using TestCase Design

TOSCA’s TestCase Design allows you to use templates and link them with data.

Example:

For a login test case:

• Create a template: Username, Password, Result
• Link data combinations (e.g., valid/invalid credentials)

This allows you to test multiple scenarios using a single test case structure.

Step 5: Execute the Test Case

1. Go to the ‘ExecutionLists’ section
2. Create a new execution list
3. Add your test cases
4. Run the list and monitor results

TOSCA provides detailed execution logs that help you identify issues quickly.

Real-World Example: E-commerce Application

Let’s say you have a manual test case for placing an order:

• Login to the application
• Search for a product
• Add to cart
• Proceed to checkout
• Make payment
• Verify order confirmation

Manual Steps to Automated Flow:

1. Modules: Scan each page (Login, Search, Cart, Payment)
2. Test Case: Combine modules in a sequence
3. Test Data: Use TestCase Design for product variations
4. Execution: Run across browsers using distributed execution

This structure reduces execution time and boosts test coverage.

Best Practices for Converting Manual Test Cases in TOSCA

1. Use Business Component Framework

Organize test steps as reusable business components to maximize efficiency.

2. Maintain Naming Conventions

Consistent naming helps in module identification and reuse.

3. Version Control

Integrate TOSCA with Git for version control of test cases and modules.

4. Centralized Test Data

Use TOSCA’s TestData Service (TDS) for managing dynamic test data.

5. Continuous Integration

Leverage Jenkins or Azure DevOps for executing test cases automatically after each build.

Tools That Complement TOSCA

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping Module Naming Standards: Leads to confusion and duplication.
• Not Using TestCase Design: Limits scalability.
• Hardcoding Test Data: Reduces flexibility and maintainability.
• Overlooking Reusability: Creates redundant test cases.
• Ignoring Logs: Missed opportunities to debug failures.

Industry Stats and Case Studies

Statistics:

• According to Tricentis, companies using TOSCA have seen a 90% reduction in test cycle time.
• A 2024 report by Gartner highlights that model-based testing like TOSCA increases test automation coverage by 75%.

Case Study:

Company: Global Retail Chain

• Challenge: 500+ manual test cases across 3 applications
• Solution: Converted to TOSCA using automation suite
• Result: 60% faster test execution, 40% increase in release frequency

Deep Dive: Working with Test Cases in TOSCA

Working with Test Cases in TOSCA is all about streamlining and structuring your automation process efficiently. Here are some additional insights on how to make the most of them:

1. Structure Your Test Cases in TOSCA Hierarchically

TOSCA allows testers to structure test cases in a hierarchical manner using folders and subfolders. Organizing your Test Cases in TOSCA this way helps improve readability, reusability, and maintenance.

2. Use TestCase Templates to Standardize Test Cases in TOSCA

By using TestCase templates, you can define a standard structure for common functionalities. This reduces duplication and ensures consistency across all your Test Cases in TOSCA.

3. Optimize Execution Time of Test Cases in TOSCA

Execution time is a major concern when scaling automation. Optimize Test Cases in TOSCA by avoiding redundant steps, using reusable modules, and executing only high-priority scenarios during smoke testing.

4. Use Test Configuration Parameters for Dynamic Test Cases in TOSCA

Test Configuration Parameters (TCPs) allow parameterization of data inputs. This makes Test Cases in TOSCA more dynamic, enabling testing across multiple environments or configurations without altering the core test case.

5. Implement Risk-Based Testing Using Test Cases in TOSCA

TOSCA supports risk-based testing, helping you prioritize critical tests. Tagging Test Cases in TOSCA with risk levels helps focus efforts where they matter most.

6. Link Requirements to Test Cases in TOSCA

TOSCA integrates requirement tracking by linking them directly with test cases. Mapping requirements to Test Cases in TOSCA ensures complete traceability and better reporting.

7. Monitor Execution Results of Test Cases in TOSCA

You can view detailed logs, pass/fail metrics, and execution trends. Monitoring Test Cases in TOSCA regularly helps in maintaining quality and identifying flaky tests.

8. Maintain Version History of Test Cases in TOSCA

Keep track of changes made over time. TOSCA supports version control so you can roll back or audit Test Cases in TOSCA as needed.

9. Use Test Case Blocks for Modularity in Test Cases in TOSCA

Group frequently used sequences into test case blocks. This improves modularity and enhances clarity across complex Test Cases in TOSCA.

Key Takeaways

• TOSCA simplifies the process of converting manual test cases with its model-based approach.
• Enrolling in a TOSCA Automation Course Online prepares you for real-world test automation tasks.
• Achieving Tricentis TOSCA Certification boosts your professional credibility.
• Following best practices ensures maintainable, scalable test suites.

Conclusion

Transitioning from manual to automated testing is crucial for staying competitive. TOSCA offers the tools and capabilities to make this conversion easy, efficient, and scalable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced tester, investing in a TOSCA Automation Course Online and earning your Tricentis TOSCA Certification can significantly enhance your career opportunities.

Ready to automate your manual test cases with ease? Enroll in our TOSCA training today and accelerate your journey towards smarter testing!