Using WaitOn and Verify Action Modes in TOSCA for Reliable Test Automation

Test automation has become a cornerstone of modern software development. Organizations today rely heavily on automated testing to accelerate release cycles, improve product quality, and reduce manual effort. Among the top tools for enterprise-grade test automation, Tricentis TOSCA stands out for its model-based testing approach, flexibility, and ability to integrate seamlessly with multiple technologies.

For professionals seeking career growth in automation testing, mastering action modes like WaitOn and Verify in TOSCA is essential. These action modes enhance test reliability and efficiency, reducing failures due to timing issues or incorrect validations.

In this detailed guide, we will explore WaitOn and Verify action modes, their practical applications, and best practices to leverage them in real-world scenarios. This knowledge is vital for anyone pursuing TOSCA Training and Placement, preparing for Tricentis Certification, or aiming to earn a TOSCA as1 Certification.

Introduction to TOSCA Action Modes

TOSCA leverages a model-based testing approach that allows testers to define reusable modules and business logic without extensive scripting knowledge. One of the core strengths of TOSCA lies in its action modes, which dictate how test steps interact with applications under test.

Among these, WaitOn and Verify are critical for ensuring reliable, robust test automation. While WaitOn addresses timing and synchronization challenges, Verify ensures the accuracy of test validations. Ignoring these modes can lead to flaky tests, which fail intermittently despite correct application behavior.

With the growing emphasis on continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), the ability to implement these action modes effectively is crucial for automation engineers preparing for Tricentis Certification or planning a career through TOSCA Training and Placement.

Understanding the WaitOn Action Mode

Purpose of WaitOn

In automated testing, one of the biggest challenges is synchronization. Applications often take variable time to load elements due to network latency, server performance, or client-side processing.

The WaitOn action mode in TOSCA helps manage this challenge by instructing the automation engine to pause execution until a specific condition is met. This ensures that subsequent steps interact with elements that are fully loaded and ready.

WaitOn prevents errors such as:

• Clicking a button that hasn't rendered yet
  
  

• Reading values from a field not yet populated
  
  

• Interacting with a dynamic popup
  
  

How WaitOn Works

WaitOn operates based on target attributes and conditions. When a test step uses WaitOn, TOSCA continuously checks the element's state until:

• The element exists on the screen
  
  

• The element is visible and enabled
  
  

• The maximum wait time is reached
  
  

If the condition is met within the timeout, the test proceeds. Otherwise, it logs a failure, highlighting a potential issue in the application.

Configuring WaitOn in TOSCA

Configuring WaitOn requires careful planning:

• Select the TestStep: In TOSCA, navigate to the TestCase and select the step where synchronization is required.
  
  

• Set ActionMode: Choose WaitOn from the action mode dropdown.
  
  

• Specify Conditions:
  
  

• Attribute (e.g., Name, ID, or XPath)
  
  

• Expected state (Exists, Visible, Enabled)
  
  

• Define Timeout: Set the maximum waiting period, commonly between 5–60 seconds based on application behavior.
  
  

• Run Test: Execute the TestCase to confirm the wait behaves as expected.
  
  

Real-World Example

Consider an online banking application where a transaction success popup appears after a payment. If the automation script attempts to verify the message too quickly, it may fail.

By using WaitOn:

• WaitOn ensures the script pauses until the popup is visible.
  
  

• Once visible, the next step, often a Verify action, confirms the popup text.
  
  

This combination significantly increases test reliability in dynamic environments.

Understanding the Verify Action Mode

Purpose of Verify

The Verify action mode is central to validating test results. Unlike standard checks, Verify compares expected values with actual values captured during test execution.

Verification can include:

• UI text
  
  

• Field values
  
  

• Button states
  
  

• Data in tables or grids
  
  

Using Verify ensures that the application behaves as intended, providing evidence-based validation for automated tests.

Types of Verification

TOSCA supports multiple types of verification:

• Value Verification: Checks that a field contains a specific value.
  
  

• Existence Verification: Confirms that an element exists in the UI.
  
  

• State Verification: Ensures that a control is enabled, disabled, visible, or hidden.
  
  

• Conditional Verification: Combines multiple conditions for complex validations.
  
  

Implementing Verify in TOSCA

To implement Verify:

• Select TestStep: Identify the step where verification is required.
  
  

• Choose ActionMode: Set it to Verify.
  
  

• Set Expected Value: Input the value or condition to verify.
  
  

• Define Verification Options:
  
  

• Case sensitivity
  
  

• Partial matches
  
  

• Regular expressions
  
  

• Execute Test: Observe whether the actual value matches the expected.
  
  

Practical Example

For an e-commerce website:

• After adding items to the cart, a test must confirm the total price.
  
  

• Using Verify, TOSCA compares the displayed total with the expected total, accounting for taxes and discounts.
  
  

• If discrepancies occur, the test fails and logs a detailed report for analysis.
  
  

Combining WaitOn and Verify for Reliable Automation

Sequence and Best Practices

For maximum reliability, WaitOn and Verify are often used sequentially:

• WaitOn First: Ensure the element is present and ready for interaction.
  
  

• Verify Next: Validate the element's state or content.
  
  

This approach addresses timing issues while confirming correct application behavior.

Handling Dynamic Applications

Dynamic applications, like Single Page Applications (SPA), often load elements asynchronously. Without WaitOn, Verify may attempt validation before the element appears, causing false negatives.

Best Practices:

• Use WaitOn for elements with variable load times.
  
  

• Avoid hard-coded delays; rely on dynamic waits.
  
  

• Combine conditional verification with WaitOn for complex UI elements.
  
  

Case Study Example

A healthcare portal requires verification of lab results displayed after patient login. The page retrieves data from multiple APIs, causing inconsistent load times.

Solution:

• Apply WaitOn to ensure the results table loads completely.
  
  

• Use Verify to check each result against expected patient data.
  
  

This reduces test failures by over 80% compared to scripts without proper synchronization and validation.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Handling Conditional Waits

TOSCA allows setting conditional waits using WaitOn:

• Example: Wait for either a success message or an error message to appear.
  
  

• Use logical OR conditions to handle multiple possible outcomes.
  
  

Optimizing Test Execution

While WaitOn increases reliability, excessive waiting can slow tests:

• Use realistic timeouts based on average load times.
  
  

• Combine WaitOn with parallel execution where possible.
  
  

• Reuse modules with WaitOn and Verify to reduce redundancy.
  
  

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

• Over-reliance on WaitOn: Waiting unnecessarily increases test execution time.
  
  

• Incorrect verification values: Ensure the expected value matches the latest application behavior.
  
  

• Neglecting dynamic attributes: Use stable identifiers rather than dynamic IDs for WaitOn and Verify.
  
  

Conclusion

Mastering WaitOn and Verify action modes in TOSCA is essential for creating robust, reliable automated tests. These modes help address timing issues, validate application behavior accurately, and minimize false failures.

For professionals aiming for TOSCA Training and Placement, Tricentis Certification, or TOSCA as1 Certification, hands-on expertise with these action modes is a strong differentiator.

Key Takeaways

• WaitOn ensures synchronization and reduces flaky tests.
  
  

• Verify confirms the accuracy of application behavior and validations.
  
  

• Combining WaitOn and Verify improves automation reliability, especially in dynamic applications.
  
  

• Proper configuration and conditional logic optimize test execution and reduce runtime errors.
  
  

Elevate your automation testing skills by mastering WaitOn and Verify in TOSCA today.