While developing a test automation framework, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind so that it can be flexible and effective. As we are talking about an automation framework, the main focus should be on reducing manual efforts as much as possible.

Some of the key points that need to be kept in mind while developing an automation framework

Maintainability

Select an automation tool that supports your testing objectives and provides robust reporting and execution capabilities. A maintainable test automation framework should provide flexibility to update the tests as soon as there is a change in the application under test (aut) or your testing objectives. It should provide a single point of maintenance for all tests.

Readability

The script should have proper readability. It should be easy to understand the flow of script and logic used. It should have an easy extendable test suite with ability to run on different platforms, configurations and localizations.

Reusability

Your test automation framework should support reuse of code — with minimum effort — across all tests. For example, if you want to develop automated regression tests for every build and release cycle, your test automation framework should be flexible enough to execute the same set of code for each cycle, with minimal changes. This will significantly reduce the effort required for maintenance.

Scalability 

The framework should support scalability, i.e., if we want to add some extra features at a later stage, then it should be scalable enough so that we can include those features without any hassle. Start small and expand as needed by introducing new test cases and adding new features to existing ones. It is not necessary to automate everything at the start; you can start by automating a few high priority or frequently used test cases. Once you have proven this works well, extend it to other tests.