User-centered Observability & a11y: the Antidote to k6 browser False Positives

Join us for a meetup at Sauce Labs! This one will be all about testing! John Hill will present on a11y. As always, there will be stickers and snacks!

6:00-6:10: Arrivals and snacks
6:10-7:00: a11y, John Hill
7:00-8:00: Q&A, snacks, chatting!

a11y: The Antidote to k6 browser False Positives; John Hill, Web UI Test Engineer, KBR

Friday. 5:01pm. Alarm bells ringing from the "search tests" in prod. One hour later, the root cause was due to the front end team changing a classname. All too common in the realm of k6 browser performance tests and synthetic monitoring, underscores the fragile balance between test accuracy and application changes. Our discussion begins by showcasing this very challenge, followed by an exploration of the limitations inherent in the Page Object Model, traditionally used in QA testing. The presentation shifts focus towards a forward-thinking resolution: the adoption of web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) a11y standards in test locator logic. This method not only addresses the initial problem but champions accessibility, enriching user experience across the board. Attendees will be guided through the practical application of a11y WCAG standards, complete with demonstrations illustrating how this approach revitalizes the reliability and stability of both kó browser performance tests and synthetic user monitoring, ensuring tests remain resilient amidst Ul changes.