Efficient test design is essential in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) as it balances the cost of testing and bug fixing to achieve optimal software quality while reducing total costs. The cost of testing increases non-linearly as more test cases are added, and efficient test design techniques can help detect bugs early, minimizing costly defect corrections later in the lifecycle. Complex or high-risk features require more thorough testing, and risk analysis can guide whether to automate tests. Automation is crucial for features with a high impact or likelihood of change, but not all features warrant automation due to high costs. Model-based testing (MBT) offers a solution by integrating test design and execution, reducing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency compared to traditional page object models (POM). This approach merges test design with execution automation, improving software quality and lowering SDLC costs. The article concludes that integrating test design automation tools with existing frameworks is beneficial, advocating for MBT as a superior method for efficient testing.