As a QA professional, I’ve realized that learning never really stops. When I began as a manual tester, I thought understanding SDLC, test cases, and defect tracking would be enough. But as technology evolved, so did testing. What once required human judgment is now assisted — and sometimes led — by automation and AI.
Recently, I revisited an insightful blog from Testleaf that broke down the entire software testing roadmap, and it made me reflect on my own path — from manual testing to automation with Selenium and Playwright, and now exploring AI-driven testing.
🧩 Stage 1: Manual Testing — Building the Foundation
Everything starts here. Manual testing taught me how real users interact with software and why usability matters. It’s the phase where you learn to think critically, write effective test cases, and identify edge cases no automation tool can catch.
For anyone starting fresh, an online software testing course is a great way to understand real-world QA processes before moving into automation.
⚙️ Stage 2: Selenium — Your Launchpad to Automation
Selenium was my first step into automation. It’s versatile, open-source, and supports multiple languages like Java and Python. Learning it gave me confidence in writing automated scripts and integrating them into CI/CD pipelines.
If you’re in India, I highly recommend joining a software testing course in Chennai that includes Selenium projects and mentor guidance — it makes all the difference.
🚀 Stage 3: Playwright — The Modern Testing Framework
After Selenium, I discovered Playwright, Microsoft’s powerful end-to-end testing framework. It’s fast, supports multiple browsers, and handles flaky test issues with ease. It’s the tool every modern tester should master.
You can learn Playwright effectively through a structured software testing course online that covers framework design and parallel execution.
🤖 Stage 4: The Future — AI in Testing
AI testing blew my mind. From self-healing scripts to predictive defect detection, it’s clear that AI is shaping the future of QA. Tools like Applitools and Mabl show how automation can now think.
This is where the testing world is heading — smarter tools, faster feedback, and testers who understand both technology and intelligence.
💡 My Takeaway
The transition from manual to AI testing is more than a career move — it’s a mindset shift. Every phase you master builds your adaptability as a tester. Whether you start with an online software testing course or dive into AI automation, your learning journey is what defines your success.
If you’re serious about staying relevant in QA, keep exploring, keep testing, and never stop evolving.
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