Tools Don’t Solve Test Automation - Péter Földházi

Software Testing Unleashed - Better Teams. Better Software. Better World.

Stop chasing shiny tools. Build test automation that works

Bonus Tipp: Never miss a crucial test again

"But ultimately what matters is: what is the problem that we are solving and, and what is the architecture." - Péter Földházi

In this episode, I talk with Péter Földházi about test automation that solves real problems, not shiny tools. Péter brings two decades in quality and helped write the ISTQB automation syllabi. We ask why to automate, where it fits, and how the test pyramid guides choices across unit, API, and UI. I like how the simple pyramid makes choices visible. He shares a gaming case with 5,000 defects and a velocity drop. Strategy first, then tools, six month steps, and clear value.

Péter was first involved with QA as a beta tester of DOTA in 2006. Since joining EPAM in 2012, he moved towards test automation, and is currently working in the USA as a Quality Architect. He is leading Game Testing Consulting and GenAI Adoption programs in the Americas.

Péter has authored two ISTQB syllabi: Test Automation Engineering & Test Automation Strategy. He also invented two test automation methodologies: the Flow Model Pattern and the Tri-Layer Testing Architecture, the latter published as a white paper by the PNSQC. Péter has been one of the review board members of the HUSTEF since 2015.

Péter is a regular keynote and tutorial speaker on conferences such as STARWEST, STAREAST, and SauceCon. He used to be a guest lecturer at 3 Budapest based universities: Óbuda, Pázmány and the ELTE. Brewing beer and planting chilis are some of his hobbies.

Highlights:

• Start with a clear reason to automate, not with tools
• The test pyramid favors unit and API tests over UI tests
• Strategy before tools, small steps, and measurable value
• AI can assist testing, but keep a human in the loop
• A 5,000 defect backlog and velocity drop signal missing test strategy

فصول

1. Tool Choice Depends on Context (00:00:00)

2. Benefits of Test Automation (00:05:24)

3. Custom Test Strategies for Success (00:06:40)

4. Testing Across Multiple Levels (00:11:17)

5. AI Agents Transforming Productivity (00:15:55)

6. AI Tools and Human Role (00:17:53)

7. Test Automation Insights & Strategy (00:20:53)