How can automation primarily affect a Test Analyst’s role?

Automation primarily affects a Test Analyst's role by streamlining repetitive testing tasks. This allows Test Analysts to allocate their time and resources more efficiently by assigning automated tests to handle tasks that are monotonous and require consistent execution. As a result, Test Analysts can shift their focus to more complex testing activities that require critical thinking, creativity, and insights, such as exploratory testing, test design, and analysis of test results.

Through automation, the workload can be reduced for routine checks and regression testing, which might otherwise consume significant time and effort. This ensures that Test Analysts can enhance overall test coverage, improve the speed of the testing process, and facilitate faster feedback to development teams.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary impact of automation on a Test Analyst's responsibilities. While automation does not eliminate the need for testing, it redefines and enhances the role instead. Furthermore, a focus on documentation may not be inherently encouraged by automation; rather, it can enable analysts to utilize documentation more effectively for automated tests. Lastly, while automation can coexist with manual testing, it does not inherently increase opportunities for manual testing; rather, it changes the nature and focus of those opportunities.