Open In App

Automation Estimation Tools

Last Updated : 26 Apr, 2025
Comments
Improve
Suggest changes
Like Article
Like
Report

In software development, automation testing is used to make sure applications work well, perform efficiently, and are reliable. By automating repetitive tests, teams can save time, reduce human errors, and speed up the testing process.

That's where automation estimation tools come in. These tools help developers and QA teams figure out how much effort will be required to run automated tests, how to allocate resources effectively, and how to keep the testing process on track. Here we are learning some tools which are helping to estimate the time and resources for the project.

Read more: Automation Testing

1. Katalon Studio

Katalon Studio is an integrated solution for automating web, API, and mobile applications. It combines functional and performance testing features, making it a go-to tool for testing across different platforms.

  • User-Friendly Interface: Katalon Studio is easy to use, whether you’re an experienced tester or a beginner.
  • Cross-Browser Testing: It supports testing across different browsers to ensure compatibility.
  • CI/CD Integration: It integrates well with tools like Jenkins, making it ideal for continuous testing in agile environments.
  • Detailed Reporting: Katalon provides robust reports, allowing you to track and estimate the performance of automated tests.

2. Selenium

Selenium is one of the most popular open-source tools for automating web browsers. It is a major part of the world of test automation and supports various programming languages.

  • Cross-Browser Support: Selenium works with many browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
  • Multi-Language Support: Write tests in Java, Python, C#, Ruby, and more.
  • Extensibility: It can be integrated with a variety of tools and frameworks like TestNG, Jenkins, and others.
  • Estimation Capabilities: Selenium can help estimate resources and testing time, especially when integrated with other tools.

3. Agile Estimation


Agile estimation is a method of predicting effort in agile development environments. It involves techniques like T-shirt sizing, story points, and ideal days.

  • Test Sizing: This method categorizes test scenarios into small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes to gauge complexity.
  • Story Points: Estimates the relative effort needed for a testing task.
  • Ideal Days: Estimates the time needed for a task, assuming no interruptions.

4. Appium

Appium is an open-source tool for automating mobile applications. It supports native, hybrid, and mobile web application testing across both iOS and Android platforms.

  • Cross-platform Support: Appium can automate tests across both Android and iOS with the same script.
  • Multiple Language Support: Tests can be written in various languages, such as Java, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby.
  • Integration with CI/CD Tools: Easily integrates with tools like Jenkins for continuous integration and continuous testing.
  • Resource Estimation: Appium can help in estimating the resources and effort needed by analyzing historical testing data and trends.

5. Postman

Postman is a popular tool for API testing. It simplifies the process of sending requests and validating API responses, making it a valuable tool for testing backend services.

  • Automation Support: Postman allows for running automated tests for APIs and validating responses against defined parameters.
  • Mock Servers: Supports mock API servers to test APIs without needing the backend.
  • Reporting and Monitoring: Provides detailed reports, logs, and analytics to estimate test execution efforts and results.
  • CI/CD Integration: Postman can be integrated with Jenkins and other CI/CD tools to estimate testing efforts in real-time.

6. Ranorex

Ranorex is an automated testing tool for desktop, web, and mobile applications. It supports test automation without requiring deep programming knowledge and is suitable for both small and large-scale projects.

  • Comprehensive Testing: Ranorex supports GUI, web, desktop, and mobile testing.
  • Integration with CI/CD Tools: Easily integrates with Jenkins, Azure DevOps, and more for continuous testing.
  • Test Estimation and Reporting: Ranorex provides detailed reporting to help estimate testing efforts, and tracks both manual and automated test progress.
  • Reusable Test Components: Allows for building reusable test components to save time and effort in the long run.

7. Robot Framework

Robot Framework is an open-source, keyword-driven test automation framework that is used for acceptance testing and robotic process automation (RPA).

  • Keyword-driven Testing: Makes it easy to write test cases using readable keywords, making tests accessible even to non-programmers.
  • Extensible: Can be extended with libraries and tools, such as Selenium for web testing and Appium for mobile testing.
  • Reporting and Estimation: Generates detailed test reports that can be used to estimate the time and effort required for automation testing.

8. Tricentis Tosca

Tricentis Tosca is a leading test automation tool that focuses on model-based testing for functional, performance, and regression testing.

  • Model-based Testing: Tosca uses a model-driven approach to testing, which simplifies the test creation and management process.
  • Integration: It integrates seamlessly with CI/CD tools, providing automated testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
  • Effort Estimation: Tosca offers built-in reporting and analytics to track test progress and estimate testing effort based on historical data.

9. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a project management tool that divides a project into smaller, more manageable tasks. In the context of automation testing, WBS can be used to break down the testing effort into smaller, more predictable segments.

  • Task Division: Breaks the entire testing effort into smaller tasks, making it easier to estimate the time and resources for each part of the testing process.
  • Improved Project Management: Helps in allocating resources effectively and provides a clear roadmap for the testing process.
  • Real-time Tracking: Helps teams track progress and adjust the allocation of resources as needed.

10. LambdaTest

LambdaTest is a cloud-based platform that allows teams to perform cross-browser testing on web applications. It supports multiple browsers and operating systems, enabling teams to test applications in real-world environments.

  • Cloud-based Testing: Provides access to a wide range of browsers and operating systems for testing.
  • Automated Screenshots: Allows for automated screenshot generation across multiple browsers.
  • Integration with CI/CD: Supports integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins and GitHub for continuous testing.

Automation Estimation Tools Characteristics

The decomposition technique and empirical estimation model are available as part of a range of software tools. Such automated estimation tools are helpful in estimating cast and effort and conducting "what-if" analysis for important project variables, such as delivery data or staffing. All automated estimation tools display the same general characteristics, and all perform the following generic functions-

  • Sizing of Project Deliverable : Estimated the size of one or more work products i.e., external representation of software, software itself, distributed functionality, descriptive information, all are approximate first.
  • Selecting Project Activities : The required process framework is selected and the software engineering project is specified.
  • Predicting Staffing Levels : The number of people available is specified. This is an important task, because the relationship between the people available and work is highly inauspicious.
  • Predicting Software Effort : The estimation tool related to the use of some models from the size of project deliverable to the effort required (from producing them).
  • Predicting Software Cost : Software costs can be calculated by assigning labor rates to project activities.
  • Predicting Software Schedules : Having knowledge of effort, staffing level and project activities, a draft schedule can be produced by allocating space in software engineering activities based on the recommended model for effort distribution.

Another Estimation Automation tools

  1. Time monitoring tools: Programmers such as Harvest or Toggl assist keep track of how much time is spent on activities, but they also offer insights into previous information, which helps make future estimations more accurate.
  2. Tools for Test Automation: Tools such as Selenium or Appium automate the testing process during the testing phase.
  3. Tools for Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): These tools facilitate a more efficient and error-free release process while also accelerating development.
  4. Planning and Estimation Tools: Together estimating the amount of work needed for projects or user stories is made easier by tools like Planning Poker.
  5. Requirements Management Tools: Software such as IBM Engineering connects the process of gathering, monitoring and maintaining project requirements is automated with requirements management systems.
  6. Machine Learning-Based Estimation Tools: Based on previous information, team performance and other project criteria, these tools use machine learning algorithms to generate more precise and based on fact estimations.
  7. Tools for Resource Management: Applications such as Resource Guru facilitate effective team resource scheduling and management.
  8. Code Review Tools: By evaluating code for quality, security and maintainability, tools such as Code Climate can automate certain steps in the code review process.

Conclusion

Choosing the right automation estimation tool depends on your project’s requirements, the platforms you are testing, and the tools that fit best within your existing workflow. Whether you need a comprehensive solution like Katalon Studio, a flexible tool like Selenium, or a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest, these tools can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of your testing efforts.


Next Article

Similar Reads