ATF questions

[shikhakhann]

Hi All,

Can someone please help with the below questions.

• Where should the ATF plugin be installed and test suites should be created?
• Does ATF components get captured in update set?
• Does the plugin get wiped off after a clone from PROD?
• Does the ATF table get wiped off after a clone?
• Where is the correct location to install Test Management 2.0?
• What is the definitive process to move ATF test cases from TEST to QA?

[Tanushree Maiti]

Hi @shikhakhann 

Where should the ATF plugin be installed, and where should test suites be created?
Tanu: The Automated Test Framework (ATF) plugin should be installed in sub-production environments, such as Development and Test/QA instances. ATF test suites should also be created in these lower environments, following the recommended scoping and deployment practices to maintain stability.

Are ATF components captured in an Update Set?
Tanu: Yes. ATF tests and test steps are captured in Update Sets. To ensure all components are included, create and set an Update Set as current before creating or modifying ATF tests. When moving tests, use the Copy Test or Copy Test Suite UI action from the ATF test record.
Reference: https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0825608

Will the ATF plugin be removed after cloning from Production?
Tanu: It can be. If the ATF Test Generator and Cloud Runner plugins are not installed in the Production instance, cloning Production to Development or Test will remove those plugin configurations from the target instances.

Are ATF tables and test records overwritten after a clone?
Tanu: Yes. During a clone, the target instance is overwritten with data from the Production instance. As a result, any ATF tests created only in Development or Test will be lost unless they have been promoted to Production or backed up beforehand.

Where should Test Management 2.0 be installed?

Tanu: Test Management 2.0 is a built-in ServiceNow application. It should be activated directly within your ServiceNow instance through the Application Navigator rather than installed as an external package.
Reference: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/it-business-management/test-management/installed-with-testmanageme...

What is the recommended process for moving ATF test cases from Test to QA?
Tanu: The recommended approach is to use Update Sets to move ATF test cases between environments. This helps preserve dependencies, configurations, and related components during migration.
Reference: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/washingtondc/application-development/automated-test-framework-atf/...

[shikhakhann]

Hi Tanu,

Thanks for quick response.
Could you please share more clarification on the below:

Will the ATF plugin be removed after cloning from Production?
Tanu: It can be. If the ATF Test Generator and Cloud Runner plugins are not installed in the Production instance, cloning Production to Development or Test will remove those plugin configurations from the target instances.
Shikha - ServiceNow documentation says there is a property that is disabled in PROD so that the ATF are not run accidently on PROD. So, when we were are not going to run anything on PROD, why we should move the update sets to PROD? I want to understand the concept behind it. If you can share any documentation link , that will be great.

Are ATF tables and test records overwritten after a clone?
Tanu: Yes. During a clone, the target instance is overwritten with data from the Production instance. As a result, any ATF tests created only in Development or Test will be lost unless they have been promoted to Production or backed up beforehand.
Shikha : I know we can make preservers and exclusions on PROD for ATF tables. But before doing anything, isn't there anything OOB that can help me save these tables date? any doc link will be helpful, if you can share.