From Specification to Automation: Bridging the Gap Between Testers and Developers, Spiced with a Touch of AI

Modern software testing often suffers from a disconnect between business-based test design and technical test automation. This talk explores how this gap can be reduced by aligning specification and automation more closely. Showing a practical example using keyword driven test design as a practical example, we show how a integration of Robot Framework enables smoother collaboration between manual testers and automation engineers. In addition, we discuss how AI-based assistance can support test design, refinement, maintenance, and the understanding of error messages of the test automation without turning testing into a black box. The focus is on workflows and lessons learned that help teams create maintainable, scalable tests while preserving transparency and shared ownership across roles.

Value for the audience:
• Practical ideas to better align test design and automation workflows
• Transferable concepts that work beyond a specific tool
• Clear guidance on using AI responsibly and effectively in testing

Problems addressed:
High coordination effort between functional testers and automation specialists: A solution in which each role can speak its own domain specific language and translation into the other languages takes place almost automatically.

Tool and media breaks between test design and automated execution: Understanding why tool fragmentation creates bottlenecks and how to assess whether integrated approaches solve your specific problems

Uncertainty about where AI adds real value in testing: Using AI that delivers highly usable results immediately.

Talk language: English
Level: Advanced
Target group: Business testers, test automation engineers, developers and test managers

Company:
imbus AG

Dierk Engelhardt