A self-assessment Instrument for assessing test automation maturity
This provides a practical tool for companies and researchers to assess and improve test automation practices, but it is incremental as it builds on existing literature.
The study tackled the lack of sufficient self-assessment instruments for test automation maturity in the software industry by developing and evaluating a survey instrument, resulting in a tool with 15 key areas and expert validation.
Test automation is important in software industry but self-assessment instruments for assessing its maturity are not sufficient. The two objectives of this study are to synthesize what an organization should focus to assess its test automation; develop a self-assessment instrument (a survey) for assessing test automation maturity and scientifically evaluate it. We carried out the study in four stages. First, a literature review of 25 sources was conducted. Second, the initial instrument was developed. Third, seven experts from five companies evaluated the initial instrument. Content Validity Index and Cognitive Interview methods were used. Fourth, we revised the developed instrument. Our contributions are as follows: (a) we collected practices mapped into 15 KAs that indicate where an organization should focus to assess its test automation; (b) we developed and evaluated a self-assessment instrument for assessing test automation maturity; (c) we discuss important topics such as response bias that threatens self-assessment instruments. Our results help companies and researchers to understand and improve test automation practices and processes.