Failures happen, but they don’t have to derail your project. Imagine starting a test automation project, choosing a tool after evaluation, and everything seems fine—until challenges start to surface, and the test automation isn’t working as you expected. At Enhops, we understand the importance of demonstrating tangible value in a short time. Our ImpactNOW program is specifically designed to help organizations evaluate the benefits of Test Automation. Focused on speed, measurable results, and customized solutions, it enables small-scale test automation implementations that deliver impactful outcomes quickly.
With a focus on quickly validating test automation and implementing customized frameworks, ImpactNOW ensures organizations achieve actionable results. These outcomes not only build confidence but also establish a solid foundation for long-term success in Test Automation. We sat down with Raghuveer Alapati, VP – Delivery to understand what and how of ImpactNOW. He shares valuable insights on helping businesses identify the right automation strategies, implement tailored frameworks, and make confident, informed decisions.
If you’re ready to kickstart your test automation journey, this discussion will highlight What, How, and Why of PoC in Automation Testing.
Key Takeaways:
What is Proof of Concept?
A Proof of Concept (PoC) is the demonstration or preliminary implementation designed to test and validate the feasibility of an idea, solution, or process before the full-scale development or implementation. It helps organizations determine whether the implementation is practical, achievable, and worth pursuing.
The purpose of our ImpactNow program is to demonstrate a project’s viability to clients and their stakeholders. In many cases, a PoC can uncover potential flaws or challenges, allowing companies to make necessary revisions in early phases of test automation or take an alternative approach. Conversely, a successful PoC confirms that the project is likely to succeed, providing evidence and direction for further development.
Importance of ImpactNOW
Understanding the importance of a ImpactNow or PoC is the first step in any successful project. They are essential for mitigating risks when adopting new technologies. Instead of diving in blind, they provide a controlled environment to validate assumptions and evaluate solutions.
As Raghuveer explains, “The ImpactNOW Program lets us test the waters, exploring potential challenges and technical limitations on a smaller scale before clients make large investments.” This approach reduces risks, identifies unforeseen issues, and ensures the chosen automation tool and framework align with the testing team’s needs.
By starting small, clients gain clarity and confidence, paving the way for successful full-scale implementation.
What’s the best way to approach ImpactNow Program?
Just like any other PoC, the success of the ImpactNow Program begins with a clear understanding of the problem you’re trying to solve. Without this, you risk focusing on the wrong aspects. Raghuveer emphasizes the importance of engaging with the right software testing partners like Enhops who can guide the program, assist in identifying appropriate use cases for conducting PoCs, and ensure adherence to best practices.
Some of the crucial elements of a successful PoC to be discussed are Scope of the PoC, Objectives, Tools Feasibility Analysis, and Technology Alignment and Success Metrics.
Key Steps for Success:
- Define Objectives: Set clear goals and success criteria to measure outcomes. “Without specific goals, you can’t measure success,” says Raghuveer.
- Set a Manageable Scope: Focus on core functionalities that provide the most insight.
- Tool Feasibility: Evaluate tools for alignment with the client’s tech stack and DevOps environment to ensure seamless integration and scalability.
- Framework Selection: Choose frameworks that complement the tools and align with the technology stack for smooth implementation.
- Test and Evaluate: Run the PoC, collect data, and review results against success criteria.
- Review Metrics: Ensure the PoC meets technical and broader business objectives
How Does Enhops Ensure Success During the ImpactNOW Program?
At Enhops, our Center of Excellence, has developed a range of frameworks adhering to industry best practices and coding standards. These frameworks streamline automation delivery, accelerating PoC execution by 30-40% while ensuring full traceability. We focus on delivering tangible results, reducing manual effort, and building confidence for scaling automation effectively.
— Raghuveer Alapati, VP — Delivery
We deliver PoCs in 8-10 days, leveraging pre-built skeletons to ensure rapid execution with full requirement traceability. We integrate automation test scripts with test cases, provide full requirement traceability, detailed reporting with real-time dashboards and testing pipeline integration with CI-CD tools like Jenkins, TeamCity and Azure DevOps etc., We ensure seamless communication with clients through daily and weekly status reports, provide success metrics at the end of the PoC, and collect feedback to drive continuous improvement.
The frameworks and tools designed to streamline the PoC delivery are:
- Automation Tools: Selenium, Cypress, Appium, Playwright, Perfecto, mabl, Tricentis Tosca, Katalon Studio, TestComplete, ACCELQ, Ranorex and more
- Frameworks: SpecFlow, Robot Framework, MSTest, NUnit, xUnit, JUnit, Cucumber, Maestro, TestNG.
- Approaches: Data-Driven, Hybrid, and BDD, using languages like Java, Python, and C#.
- Applications: Win Apps, Web, Mobile (iOS & Android), API/Microservices, Enterprise software.
Client Involvement in PoC
Successfully implementing our ImpactNOW programs requires a structured approach to ensure it delivers valuable insights. As Raghuveer points out, “A PoC isn’t just about proving a tool works, it’s about making sure it’s the right fit for the business.”
Typically, client involvement during the PoC/discovery phase is minimal and primarily occurs during the initial scoping phase. The client’s role is to define objectives, set expectations on their long-term business objectives, and provide access to the application under test. Once these elements are established, the execution is primarily handled by technical teams, who conduct the tests and provide updates through periodic reviews to ensure alignment with client goals
What are the risks of bypassing a PoC?
Many businesses might be tempted to skip the PoC stage to fast-track their automation journey. However, doing so can result in significant challenges down the line. Our ImpactNOW Program helps validate assumptions and ensures that the chosen solution fits the business context, reducing long-term risks.
Our ImpactNOW Program prevents costly mistakes by validating assumptions before diving into full-scale automation. It ensures that the automation tool not only fits the technology stack but also meets the business goals.
— Raghuveer Alapati, VP — Delivery
Skipping the program could lead to:
- Wasted Resources: Investing time and money in a solution that doesn’t meet the needs.
- Increased Costs: Unforeseen expenses from implementing an unsuitable solution.
- Selection of Inappropriate Tools: Choosing technology that doesn’t align with business goals.
- Lack of Alignment: Failing to validate that the solution meets both technical and long-term business requirements.
“A PoC is essential,” Raghuveer emphasizes. “Without it, you may end up committing to a path that leads to more problems than solutions.”
What are some key KPIs for Measuring the Success of the ImpactNow Program?
To assess the success of being a part of our ImpactNOW program, organizations should track specific KPIs, including:
- Test Automation Effectiveness: Measure how well test scripts cover application functionalities and track defect detection rates to assess overall effectiveness.
- Tool and Framework Fit: Evaluate how well the chosen tools and frameworks, such as BDD or data-driven approaches, meet client needs, including adaptability for non-programmers.
- Projected ROI: Assess savings from reduced manual effort, resource optimization, and scalable automation, demonstrating progression from 0% to 90% automation within 6–8 months and 100% by 12 months.
- Tool Costs vs. Benefits: Compare automation tool costs (licensing, training, integration) with efficiency gains, time savings, and improved defect detection to justify the investment.
- Development Speed and Efficiency: Track improvements in test execution time, test creation speed, and defect resolution rates to measure process efficiency gains.
Raghuveer highlights, “Measuring these KPIs give organizations a clear understanding of the PoC’s impact and helps justify the test automation investments.” By tracking these key performance indicators, businesses can evaluate the success of the Discovery phase and lay a strong foundation for full-scale implementation.
How do test case selection and business case development contribute to a successful PoC?
Choosing the right test cases is essential for a successful Proof of Concept (PoC). As Raghuveer points out, “We usually pick happy path scenarios that cover most of the application,” making it easier for stakeholders to see how the tool handles key functionalities.
With this, we provide reports on ROI, test coverage, and feasibility, it helps stakeholders build a business case. With reusable frameworks and minimal client involvement, our process remains effortless for clients while providing full visibility into everything from planning to execution.
What’s your final take on the importance of ImpactNOW Program?
To sum it up, Raghuveer says: “The ImpactNOW Program is not just a technical exercise. It’s a step that helps businesses to make proof-backed decisions, minimize risks, and ensure alignment with their goals.”
By running a PoC, you’re not jumping into full-scale implementation blindly. Instead, you’re validating the solution in your unique environment and avoiding costly mistakes. Once the program wraps up, creating a business case with clear ROI and success metrics gives you a solid plan to move forward confidently. It’s about setting the stage for success, not just checking a box.
Assess Test Automation for Your Applications
Partner with us. Enhops offers a 4-week PoC where we assess your application’s scope, build customized test frameworks, and provide a clear ROI analysis. Experience our expertise firsthand with the zero-cost test automation ImpactNOW program. Let us demonstrate the tangible benefits of our testing services tailored to your specific needs.
