Exploratory testing is a crucial aspect of software quality assurance, focusing on the simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution. Unlike scripted testing, which follows predefined steps, exploratory testing allows testers to dive deep into the application, using their intuition and experience to uncover issues. Exploratory testing is an approach to software testing that emphasizes the personal freedom and responsibility of the individual tester to continually optimize the quality of their work by treating test-related learning, test design, test execution, and test result interpretation as mutually supportive activities that run in parallel throughout the project. In this article we’ll discuss the importance of exploratory testing, how to do it, best practices, examples, strategies to encourage it within your team, and practical steps to implement it effectively.
What is Exploratory Testing?
Exploratory testing is an approach where testers actively engage with the application to discover defects that might not be found through traditional testing methods. This type of testing leverages the tester’s creativity, intuition, and experience, allowing for a more flexible and dynamic testing process.
Exploratory testing is a hands-on approach where testers are involved in minimum planning and maximum test execution. It contrasts with scripted testing, where tests are designed in advance. Instead, exploratory testing is simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution. The key aspects include:
– Learning: Understanding the application, its functionalities, and potential weak spots.
– Designing Tests: Creating test cases on the fly based on insights gained during the testing process.
– Executing Tests: Running the tests immediately after designing them, allowing for instant feedback and adjustments.
How to Perform Exploratory Testing?
Preparing for Exploratory Testing
– Understand the Scope: Gain a thorough understanding of the application or feature under test. This includes its purpose, functionality, and user expectations.
– Gather Tools: Ensure you have access to necessary tools such as bug tracking systems, note-taking applications, and any relevant testing software.
– Define Objectives: Set clear goals for what you aim to achieve during the exploratory testing sessions. This could be finding specific types of bugs, testing a new feature, or assessing overall usability.
Conducting Exploratory Testing Sessions
– Create a Charter: Define a test charter that outlines the scope, objectives, and focus areas for the session. Charters provide direction without constraining creativity.
– Time Box the Session: Allocate a specific amount of time for each session (e.g., 60-90 minutes). This helps maintain focus and ensures productive use of time.
– Explore and Document: Begin testing the application, exploring different paths and functionalities. Document your findings, observations, and any issues encountered.
– Analyze Results: After the session, review the documented findings. Categorize and prioritize the bugs and issues discovered.
Documenting and Analyzing Results
Detailed Notes: Keep detailed notes of your actions, observations, and any deviations from expected behavior.
Screenshots and Videos: Use screenshots and screen recording tools to capture visual evidence of issues.
Report Findings: Log the discovered issues in a bug tracking system, providing clear descriptions, steps to reproduce, and any supporting documentation.
Review and Reflect: Regularly review the outcomes of exploratory testing sessions to identify patterns, recurring issues, and areas for improvement.
Best Practices for Exploratory Testing
Defining Clear Objectives
Set clear, achievable objectives for each exploratory testing session. Objectives guide the tester’s efforts and ensure that the session remains focused on specific areas of interest.
Using Charters
Charters act as a roadmap for exploratory testing sessions. They provide a structured approach while allowing flexibility. A well-defined charter includes the scope, objectives, resources, and any constraints or limitations.
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Time Boxing Sessions
Time boxing helps maintain focus and ensures that testing sessions are productive. It prevents burnout and allows testers to approach each session with fresh perspectives.
Pair Testing
Pair testing involves two testers working together on the same session. This collaborative approach combines different perspectives and expertise, leading to more thorough exploration and discovery of issues.
Continuous Learning and Improvement
Encourage testers to continuously learn and improve their skills. Attend workshops, read relevant literature, and participate in discussions and communities related to exploratory testing.
Exploratory Testing – Test Case Checklist
While exploratory testing is less structured than scripted testing, having a checklist for test cases ensures thorough exploration and consistent documentation. Here’s a checklist to guide you through executing exploratory test cases:
1. Start the Session
– Review Charter: Understand the scope, objectives, and focus areas outlined in the charter.
– Set Timer: Time-box the session to maintain focus and productivity.
2. Execute Test Cases
– Explore Functionality: Interact with the application to understand its behavior and identify any discrepancies.
– Follow User Flows: Test typical user flows and interactions to identify usability issues and defects.
– Vary Input Data: Use a variety of input data to test different scenarios and edge cases.
– Check Integration Points: Verify the application’s integration with other systems and components.
3. Document Findings
– Take Detailed Notes: Document the steps taken, observations made, and any deviations from expected behavior.
– Capture Evidence: Use screenshots and screen recordings to capture visual evidence of issues.
– Log Issues: Report any defects or issues discovered in the bug tracking system, providing clear descriptions and steps to reproduce.
4. Analyze and Reflect
– Review Findings: Analyze the documented findings to identify patterns and recurring issues.
– Discuss with Team: Share the findings with the team and discuss potential solutions and improvements.
5. Plan Next Steps
– Adjust Charters: Based on the findings, adjust the charters for future sessions to cover new areas or revisit problematic ones.
– Prioritize Issues: Work with the team to prioritize the reported issues and plan for their resolution.
Example Charters and Exploratory Testing Test Cases
Charter Example
- Title: Test Login Functionality
- Objective: Verify the login functionality with valid and invalid credentials.
- Scope: Focus on the login page, error messages, and security measures.
- Resources: Access to the staging environment, valid and invalid user credentials.
- Time Box: 60 minutes
Test Case Examples
- Test Case 1: Valid Login
- Steps: Enter valid username and password, click on the login button.
- Expected Result: User should be successfully logged in and redirected to the dashboard.
- Notes: Verify that the user is able to access all authorized sections of the application.
- Test Case 2: Invalid Login
- Steps: Enter invalid username or password, click on the login button.
- Expected Result: Appropriate error message should be displayed, and the user should not be logged in.
- Notes: Test different combinations of invalid credentials and verify the consistency of error messages.
- Test Case 3: Password Reset
- Steps: Click on the “Forgot Password” link, enter the registered email, follow the password reset process.
- Expected Result: User should receive a password reset email and be able to reset their password successfully.
- Notes: Verify the email content and ensure that the reset link works correctly.
By following these checklists, you can ensure that your exploratory testing sessions are structured, focused, and effective, leading to more comprehensive test coverage and higher-quality software.
Benefits of Exploratory Testing
Exploratory testing offers several advantages, including:
– Identifying Hidden Defects: It uncovers issues that scripted testing may miss.
– Adapting to Change: It allows testers to adapt to new information and changes in the application quickly.
– Enhancing Test Coverage: It increases the likelihood of discovering different types of bugs.
– Promoting Tester Engagement: It makes testing more engaging and less monotonous.
Top Reasons Why You Should Encourage Exploratory Testing in Your Team
Cultivating a Culture of Curiosity
To foster a culture of exploratory testing, encourage your team to be curious and inquisitive. Promote an environment where questioning and experimenting are valued. This can be achieved through regular brainstorming sessions, knowledge-sharing meetings, and encouraging testers to explore beyond the specified requirements.
Providing Training and Resources
Equip your team with the necessary skills and knowledge. Offer training sessions on exploratory testing techniques and provide resources such as books, articles, and online courses. Additionally, invite experts to conduct workshops and share their experiences.
Recognizing and Rewarding Efforts
Recognize and reward the efforts of testers who excel in exploratory testing. Acknowledgement can come in various forms, such as praise in team meetings, awards, or career advancement opportunities. This not only motivates the individual but also sets a standard for others to aspire to.
Tools and Techniques for Effective Exploratory Testing
Several tools and techniques can enhance exploratory testing, such as:
– Session-Based Test Management (SBTM): A method to manage and record exploratory testing sessions.
– Mind Maps: Visual tools that help in organizing thoughts and identifying test scenarios.
– Note-taking Software: Applications like Evernote or OneNote for documenting findings.
– Bug Tracking Systems: Tools like JIRA or Bugzilla to report and track defects.
Pros and Cons of Exploratory Testing
Exploratory testing is a dynamic and insightful approach to software testing. It involves simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution, which allows testers to uncover defects that might be missed by more structured testing methods. However, like any methodology, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Below is an examination of the pros and cons of exploratory testing.
Pros of Exploratory Testing
1. Flexibility and Adaptability
Advantage: Testers can adapt their approach based on their findings, making it easier to explore different areas of the application and uncover unexpected issues. Benefit: This flexibility allows for immediate adjustments to the testing strategy, accommodating new insights and changes in the application.
2. Increased Tester Engagement
Advantage: Exploratory testing is more engaging and less monotonous than scripted testing because it allows testers to use their creativity and intuition. Benefit: Higher engagement often leads to more thorough testing, as testers are more motivated and invested in finding defects.
3. Discovery of Hidden Defects
Advantage: The unscripted nature of exploratory testing helps uncover defects that may not be detected by predefined test cases. Benefit: This leads to a higher quality product by identifying issues that could impact the end-user experience.
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4. Cost-Effective
Advantage: It requires less preparation and documentation compared to scripted testing. Benefit: This can result in cost savings, especially in agile environments where changes are frequent, and extensive documentation can quickly become outdated.
5. Faster Feedback
Advantage: Testers can provide immediate feedback on the application. Benefit: Rapid feedback loops enable quicker resolution of issues and can accelerate the development process.
6. Better Understanding of the Application
Advantage: Testers gain a deeper understanding of the application by interacting with it in various ways. Benefit: This comprehensive knowledge allows testers to anticipate potential problem areas and suggest improvements beyond mere defect identification.
Cons of Exploratory Testing
1. Lack of Documentation
Disadvantage: The informal nature of exploratory testing can lead to a lack of documentation. Drawback: This makes it difficult to reproduce issues, track progress, and provide evidence of testing activities, which can be problematic for audits and reviews.
2. Inconsistent Test Coverage
Disadvantage: Without a predefined plan, there’s a risk of inconsistent or incomplete test coverage. Drawback:Important areas of the application might be overlooked, leading to undetected defects.
3. Dependence on Tester Skills
Disadvantage: The effectiveness of exploratory testing heavily depends on the skills and experience of the tester.Drawback: Less experienced testers might miss critical issues or fail to explore the application thoroughly.
4. Difficult to Measure Progress
Disadvantage: Measuring progress and effectiveness can be challenging without clear metrics and documentation.Drawback: This can make it hard to track testing efforts, report on test coverage, and justify testing activities to stakeholders.
5. Scalability Issues
Disadvantage: Exploratory testing can be challenging to scale across large teams or projects. Drawback: Coordinating multiple testers and ensuring comprehensive coverage across all areas of the application can be difficult without a structured approach.
6. Potential for Overlooked Areas
Disadvantage: Testers might focus on areas of personal interest or familiarity, neglecting other critical parts of the application. Drawback: This selective focus can result in uneven test coverage and missed defects in less-tested areas.
Challenges in Exploratory Testing and Solutions
Implementing exploratory testing can present challenges, such as:
- Balancing with Scripted Testing: Ensure that exploratory testing complements, rather than replaces, scripted testing.
- Measuring Coverage: Use charters and session notes to demonstrate the areas covered during exploratory testing.
- Maintaining Focus: Time-boxed sessions and clear objectives can help maintain focus and direction.
Conclusion
Exploratory testing is a powerful and effective approach for discovering defects and improving software quality. Its flexibility, ability to uncover hidden issues, and engaging nature are significant advantages. By fostering a culture of curiosity, providing the necessary training and resources, and implementing structured sessions, you can encourage and integrate exploratory testing within your team. Embracing this approach not only enhances the testing process but also leads to more robust and reliable software applications.
However, it also presents challenges, such as inconsistent test coverage, reliance on tester skills, and difficulties in documentation and measurement. Balancing exploratory testing with other structured testing methods can help mitigate its drawbacks and leverage its strengths, leading to a more robust and reliable software application. CredibleSoft, with help of its team of award-winning and certified QA experts can help implement exploratory testing strategies for your team. Hire our exploratory testers and watch your team’s testing capabilities grow, leading to higher quality software and more satisfied users.
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