Exploratory Testing | Types , Features and drawbacks

The tester is constantly making decisions about what to test next and where to spend the (limited) time.

Features:

• • • Involves concurrent test design, execution, logging and learning how the system behaves by the tester.
    • Tester builds a “mental model” of the system while they test it
    • Exploratory testing technique is usually used when:
      • • when  there are few or inadequate specifications  
        • time pressure 
        • complementing more formal testing
        • Less preparation time.
        • In less time  important bugs are found quickly

Benefits/Advantages for Exploratory testing:

• • • It takes less preparation.
    • Critical defects are found very quickly.
    • The testers can use a reasoning based approach on the results of previous results 

Some drawbacks of Exploratory testing:

• • • Tests cannot be reviewed.
    • It is difficult to keep track of what tests have been tested.
    • It is unlikely to be performed in exactly the same manner and to repeat specific details of the earlier tests.

Types of exploratory testing :

1. 1. 1. Freestyle exploratory testing

• • •  Adhoc exploration of an application’s features 
    •  No rules, not necessary to account for coverage, past tests, etc. 
    • Good for familiarizing yourself with an application to prepare for more sophisticated methods  like  quick smoke tests, sometimes finds bugs

1. 1. 2. Scenario based 

• • • An extension of traditional scenario testing 
    • Start with:  user stories ,E2E scenarios ,test scenarios  and then  widens the scope 

1. 1. 3. Strategy based exploratory testing

• • • Freestyle testing combined with known bug finding techniques 
    • documented strategies like boundary values 
    • intuitive instinct from experience or familiarity with the application
    • Focus is on learning tips and tricks and recognizing when to apply them

1. 1. 4. Feedback based 

• • • Test history is built up that acts as  feedback to guide future exploration 
    • Includes- Test history ,  Coverage ,Churn etc. 
    • Tools are often an integral part of this type of testing as they ‘remember’ history for us

It is an approach not a technique  Also known as Session-Based Test Management (SBTM).