How can we make one test method dependent on another using TestNG?

Q: How can we make one test method dependent on another using TestNG?

Test Method Dependencies in TestNG TestNG''s dependsOnMethods allows you to define execution dependencies between test methods — a dependent test runs only after its dependency passes. Basic dependency: java @Test public void loginTest() { System.out.println("Login test executed"); } @Test(dependsOnMethods = { "loginTest" }) public void dashboardTest() { System.out.println("Dashboard test — runs only if loginTest passed"); } Multiple dependencies: java @Test(dependsOnMethods = { "loginTest", "verifyHomePageTest" }) public void checkoutTest() { System.out.println("Runs only after both loginTest

Answer

Test Method Dependencies in TestNG

TestNG''s dependsOnMethods allows you to define execution dependencies between test methods — a dependent test runs only after its dependency passes.

Basic dependency:

Java

@Test
public void loginTest() {
    System.out.println("Login test executed");
}

@Test(dependsOnMethods = { "loginTest" })
public void dashboardTest() {
    System.out.println("Dashboard test — runs only if loginTest passed");
}

Multiple dependencies:

Java

@Test(dependsOnMethods = { "loginTest", "verifyHomePageTest" })
public void checkoutTest() {
    System.out.println("Runs only after both loginTest and verifyHomePageTest pass");
}

What happens if the dependency fails?

✓The dependent test is skipped (not failed)
✓TestNG marks it as SKIP in the report
✓To force it to always run regardless: add alwaysRun = true

Java

@Test
public void loginTest() {
    Assert.fail("Login failed!");  // This fails
}

@Test(dependsOnMethods = { "loginTest" })
public void dashboardTest() {
    // This is SKIPPED because loginTest failed
}

dependsOnGroups:

Java

@Test(groups = "login")
public void loginTest() { }

@Test(dependsOnGroups = "login")
public void dashboardTest() { }

Real-world use case:

Java

@Test(priority = 1)
public void openBrowser() { driver = new ChromeDriver(); }

@Test(priority = 2, dependsOnMethods = "openBrowser")
public void navigateToURL() { driver.get("https://example.com"); }

@Test(priority = 3, dependsOnMethods = "navigateToURL")
public void verifyTitle() {
    Assert.assertEquals(driver.getTitle(), "Example Domain");
}

@Test(priority = 4, dependsOnMethods = "verifyTitle")
public void closeBrowser() { driver.quit(); }

Key points:

✓dependsOnMethods = { "methodName" } — exact method name as string
✓Dependent test is skipped (not failed) when dependency fails
✓Chain multiple methods: dependsOnMethods = { "m1", "m2" }
✓Use dependsOnGroups for group-level dependencies