Automated Workflow Testing Platform for Software Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current software update process is hindered by lengthy workflow testing requirements, which often take over a month and necessitate expert involvement, leading to reluctance in frequent updates due to the time and resource constraints.
Innovation Solution
A testing-as-a-service platform automates the workflow testing process by configuring, executing, and detecting errors in client workflows, allowing for proactive issue resolution and reducing testing cycles, thereby enabling more frequent software updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual workflow testing is performed to ensure software quality, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical testing processes with automated computer-based testing systems. The automated testing platform executes test scripts, captures screenshots, and generates reports without human intervention, thereby maintaining software quality verification while dramatically reducing testing time and resource requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system performs self-service by automatically executing workflows, detecting errors, capturing evidence through screenshots, and generating test reports without requiring expert testers. The system independently validates software updates against predefined business processes, eliminating the need for continuous manual expert involvement.
2Measurement precision
If expert involvement is required for workflow testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated testing platform that acts as a mediator between software developers and expert testers. This platform encapsulates complex testing logic, error detection algorithms, and report generation capabilities, providing precise testing results while shielding users from the underlying complexity of the testing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of manual testing processes through automated scripts and workflows. These digital replicas replicate the precision of expert testing by systematically executing predefined test cases, capturing screenshots, and comparing results against expected outcomes, thereby maintaining accuracy while eliminating the need for physical expert involvement in each testing cycle.
3Productivity
If frequent software updates are deployed, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased testing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary automated testing that executes before software updates are deployed to production. The system pre-validates updates against predefined business processes, captures baseline screenshots, and identifies potential errors in advance, ensuring that only quality-assured updates are released frequently without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system establishes continuous feedback loops by automatically detecting errors, capturing screenshots as evidence, and providing immediate feedback on update quality. This real-time feedback mechanism enables rapid iteration and frequent deployments while maintaining high reliability standards through automated quality gatekeeping.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and user interfaces that automate the workflow testing process. Users can configure, automate and execute repeating workflow tests associated with software updates or upgrades. In doing so, issues with the updates or upgrades are proactively prevented. To do so, a selection of one or more business processes is initially received. The one or more business processes are combined into a client workflow. Test data and assertion types are received for each business process of the one or more business processes. A script and metadata containing the client workflow name and the one or more business process names utilized to create the client workflow is stored and the client workflow can be executed in a target environment. Any errors in the client workflow are detected and a notification is provided to a user for follow-up and resolution.