Exploratory testing finds defects that regular testing misses. It helps you discover edge cases that more structured testing methods might not encounter. But despite its effectiveness and efficiency, exploratory testing doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
In this insight, I explain what exploratory testing is, what it isn’t, and how you can use it to optimise your functional testing coverage.
What is Exploratory Testing, and Why Should You Use It?
When researching this insight, I found that Wikipedia provides the best description of exploratory testing, “simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution”.
With exploratory testing, testers are not confined by predetermined scenarios and instead leverage their creativity and intuition to explore the application under test.
Traditional functional tests are often designed before anyone has any real experience with the application under test.
Once a tester starts using a system, they get a feel for how it works and an intuition for how end-users might behave, for better or worse.
Exploratory testing gives testers time and space to use their intuition and harness their creativity to find issues that would go unnoticed if they just executed scripted tests.
Although exploratory testing can seem ad-hoc or even leftfield, it is an invaluable asset and should play a part in every test cycle. Exploratory testing routinely uncovers defects that might otherwise slip through to your live solution.
What Exploratory Testing Isn’t
While we’ve discussed what exploratory testing is, it’s arguably more important to address common misunderstandings and define what exploratory testing is not:
- Exploratory testing is not unstructured: Many believe exploratory testing lacks structure or planning. Contrary to this belief, exploratory testing requires considerable organisation. It involves specific test charters or mission statements to guide the testers, albeit not defining the exact steps to follow.
- Exploratory testing is not undocumented: Another common misconception is that exploratory testing does not require documentation. Documenting the actions taken and the issues found during testing is crucial in exploratory testing. Documentation with effective test tools like OpenText Sprinter ensures bugs can be reproduced, communicated, and resolved.
- Exploratory testing is not random: Exploratory testing is not about randomly clicking or trying out different functions just for the sake of it. It requires a thoughtful approach based on the tester’s understanding of user behaviour, the application under test, solution functionalities, and potential weak spots.
- Exploratory testing is not a replacement for other testing: While exploratory testing can identify bugs and issues that scripted testing might miss, it is not a replacement for other types of testing. It complements scripted manual testing, automated testing, and other structured methods to ensure comprehensive coverage.
5 Ways to Optimise Exploratory Testing
1. Embrace Tools
Central to exploratory testing is a spirit of exploration and curiosity—tools like OpenText Sprinter aid testers in their exploratory journey.
Sprinter streamlines exploratory testing by tracking your activities and automatically logging defects. Everything testers do is automatically recorded, so they can focus on finding defects.
2. Leverage Diverse Perspectives
Including testers with varying skill sets, backgrounds, and expertise will enrich the testing scope.
For instance, a tester with a background in user experience might find usability issues that a more technically oriented tester could overlook.
3. Prioritise Areas to Test
While exploratory testing allows freedom, it’s not about aimless wandering.
You must prioritise areas of the software that require testing; high-risk areas, complex features, or new or significantly altered functionality should be at the top of your list.
4. Document and Share Findings
Communication is key to effective testing.
The knowledge gained and bugs found during exploratory testing must be properly documented and shared. Again, tools like OpenText Sprinter make this easier by standardising and centralising your exploratory test documentation.
5. Combine With Other Testing Methods
Lastly, while exploratory testing can be highly effective, it’s not meant to replace other forms of testing.
It’s best used with scripted manual testing, automated testing, and other structured testing approaches to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Conclusion: Why You Should Use Exploratory Software Testing
Exploratory testing can seem unstructured and unpredictable, but its value in promoting learning and discovering unique defects is undeniable.
You can make the most out of exploratory software testing by creating a supportive environment, promoting diversity, prioritising testing areas, and documenting findings.
Above all, implementing the right tool is essential to all aspects of exploratory testing, and OpenText Sprinter stands out as the best option. Sprinter is a free product, available as part of ALM/QC and ValueEdge Quality/Octane.
