Test Execution Time – why is it important and how can we speed it up?

Efficient test execution is crucial as system complexity and test suite size increase, leading to longer execution times. Speeding up tests can be achieved by combining API tests with UI tests, favoring smaller and more independent tests, and avoiding automation of dynamic UI sections unless necessary. Mocking third-party dependencies and using direct URLs instead of button clicks can also enhance speed and reliability. API authentication is recommended over UI logins to reduce overhead, and bypassing cookie consent banners can save time. Running tests in parallel significantly cuts down execution times, leveraging cloud services and virtualization for better efficiency. Additional strategies include optimizing Selenium commands, using explicit waits, and employing headless browser modes. Tests should be deterministic, documented, and resilient to environmental issues, with routine database and environment clean-ups. These practices aim to enhance test coverage, reduce flakiness, and integrate seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, ultimately facilitating continuous testing.