I've been telling people this for years. Automated tests are a good way to ensure that updates and iterations don't break existing expectations. But expectation

I've been telling people this for years. Automated tests are a good way to ensure that updates and iterations don't break existing expectations. But expectations come from users, so if you don't have users, you don't have expectations, you only have guesses. You're usually better off getting your guesses out in front of users so you can establish expectations, and then build your automated tests around that. I say "usually" of course, because there are certain things that constitute expectations that precede users, such as apps that handle sensitive information. Expecting that the app handles sensitive information appropriately before users confirm that they want their sensitive information handled appropriately would properly not be considered a guess.