This study delves into how software testing professionals apply code refactoring to enhance the maintenance and performance of automated tests, despite the challenges such as management’s lack of interest.

• Code refactoring is becoming an essential skill for software testers with coding duties.
• Refactoring helps in maintaining automated tests and improving team performance.
• Survey data from 80 professionals revealed insights on benefits and barriers of refactoring in testing.
• The article emphasizes the need for tester skill development in coding and refactoring.

Understanding the importance of refactoring in software testing is crucial as it can significantly improve testing processes. By fostering better refactoring practices, organizations can enhance the quality of their software tests and ultimately deliver more reliable software products. Researchers and practitioners can leverage these insights to develop targeted strategies that overcome the observed barriers and tap into the full potential of test automation.