In today’s hyper-competitive environment, efficiency is king. Ensuring quality without slowing down development cycles is a critical priority for organizations looking to stay ahead. Hybrid test automation—combining both coded and no-code tools—has emerged as a game-changer. The smartest organizations are adopting this approach to reduce maintenance, accelerate releases, and empower cross-functional teams.
Applitools customer, Eric Terry, Senior Director of Quality Control at EVERSANA INTOUCH, underscored how a hybrid approach to test automation bridges skill gaps, enhances collaboration, and accelerates time-to-market. This article explores why a dual automation strategy isn’t just an IT initiative—it’s a business imperative.
The Business Risks of Choosing Just One Approach
When organizations lean too heavily on either coded or no-code automation, inefficiencies emerge. Coded automation offers flexibility and customization but demands highly skilled engineers, creating bottlenecks. No-code automation empowers non-developers but may lack depth for complex scenarios.
A hybrid strategy aligns technical capabilities with business needs, ensuring that:
- Routine tasks and UI-driven tests are handled by AI-powered no-code tools like Applitools Autonomous.
- Complex scenarios requiring deep customization leverage coded automation.
- Testing scales across diverse skill levels, unlocking greater efficiency.
Faster Releases, Higher Quality: A Competitive Advantage
Accelerating time-to-market while maintaining quality is a strategic advantage. Companies that integrate both coded and no-code automation realize efficiency gains, including:
- Reduced test maintenance: “We cut test maintenance by 40% by integrating AI-driven no-code automation,” Eric shared.
- Parallel execution: Running tests simultaneously across environments accelerates feedback loops.
- Smarter test selection: AI-powered tools identify the most critical tests, reducing regression cycles by up to 70%.
Collaboration as a Business Driver
Siloed workflows kill efficiency. When manual testers, automation engineers, and developers operate in isolation, knowledge gaps and redundancies increase risk.
Successful hybrid test automation programs:
- Encourage mentorship, where automation engineers guide manual testers.
- Align automated testing efforts with broader business goals.
- Leverage collaborative tools like Azure DevOps and Microsoft Teams for transparency.
Cost Savings: The Overlooked Benefit of Hybrid Automation
Cost efficiency isn’t just about reducing headcount; it’s about maximizing team output. Organizations that embrace a hybrid test automation approach realize:
- Lower hiring costs by enabling manual testers to contribute to automation efforts.
- Higher productivity by freeing developers from routine scripting.
- Broader adoption as business teams leverage no-code tools for non-QA applications, such as UI validation.
“Anytime that you can save some time, it has the potential to that into revenue,” Eric emphasized.
The No-Code Mindset Shift: A Leadership Imperative
Historically, tech leaders viewed no-code solutions as limited. But AI-driven platforms like Applitools are changing the game, allowing teams to scale automation without specialized expertise.
“I think we’ll start to see the uptick,” Eric predicted. “Tools are getting better, and they’re making automation more accessible than ever.”
See first-hand how Applitools can help your teams bridge skill gaps and scale test automation with a free trial.
Next Steps: Implementing a Hybrid Approach in Your Organization
For leaders looking to integrate both coded and no-code automation, consider these steps:
- Assess your skill gaps – Identify where no-code solutions can bridge inefficiencies.
- Start small, then scale – Pilot no-code automation for repetitive workflows.
- Foster a whole-team quality mindset – Align teams around a shared automation vision.
- Leverage AI-powered tools – Reduce maintenance while increasing test accuracy.
Future-Proof Your Testing Strategy
In the words of W. Edwards Deming, “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” Organizations that resist automation evolution risk falling behind. By strategically integrating both coded and no-code automation, businesses position themselves for faster innovation, higher quality, and stronger collaboration.
Hear more of EVERSANA’s story by watching Code or No-Code Tests? Why Top Teams Choose Both.
FAQ: Hybrid test automation—combining coded and no-code tools
A hybrid test automation strategy reduces bottlenecks, lowers test maintenance, and empowers broader teams to contribute—resulting in faster releases, better product quality, and more efficient use of technical talent.
Relying solely on one approach can limit scalability and increase costs. Coded automation lacks accessibility for non-developers, while no-code alone may fall short in complex testing scenarios. A blended strategy mitigates both risks.
No-code tools allow business and QA teams to automate repetitive tasks without needing engineering support, freeing up developers for high-impact work and accelerating software delivery cycles.
Teams report significant time and cost savings—up to 40% less test maintenance and faster onboarding of non-technical contributors—making hybrid automation a high-ROI initiative for IT and business leaders alike.
Begin with a skill gap analysis. Use no-code tools like Applitools Autonomous for fast wins, then layer in coded automation where deeper customization is needed. Align automation goals with business KPIs to ensure cross-team adoption.
