How do you use exploratory testing to uncover usability and user experience issues?

1 What are usability and user experience issues?

Usability and user experience issues can range from minor annoyances to major frustrations, and can significantly impact user satisfaction, engagement, retention, and conversion. Examples of such issues include confusing or inconsistent navigation, poor readability or accessibility, slow or unreliable performance, lack of feedback or guidance, unnecessary complexity or redundancy, inappropriate tone or style, and mismatched expectations or goals.

2 Why use exploratory testing to find them?

Exploratory testing can help you discover usability and user experience issues by simulating real user scenarios and behaviors, testing different paths, inputs, and outcomes, and observing the product's reactions and responses. Furthermore, it can help identify and question assumptions and biases, explore the product's strengths and weaknesses, and generate new ideas and insights.

3 How to perform exploratory testing?

Exploratory testing requires you to define a scope and goal for your testing session, and select a tool or method to document your findings. You should start testing the product with an open mind and critical eye, varying your actions, inputs, and perspectives. Additionally, pay attention to your emotions, thoughts, and reactions while searching for anomalies, inconsistencies, errors, or surprises. Asking questions such as why, how, what if, or so what can help you better understand the product. Lastly, report and prioritize your findings.

4 How to improve your exploratory testing skills?

To hone your exploratory testing skills, you should practice regularly and frequently, learning from other exploratory testers through observation, collaboration, and review. Additionally, you can seek feedback from users, stakeholders, or peers through surveys, interviews, or usability tests. You should also review your own work by analyzing, reflecting, or debriefing your findings. Moreover, experimenting with different techniques, tools, or approaches such as heuristics, personas, and checklists can help you develop your skills. Lastly, challenge yourself with new or complex products, features, or domains to further improve your exploratory testing abilities.

5 How to use exploratory testing feedback to improve usability and user experience?

To use exploratory testing feedback to improve usability and user experience, you need to communicate your findings clearly and effectively, such as by providing evidence, examples, or recommendations. It is also important to prioritize your findings based on their impact, severity, frequency, or urgency. Collaborating with other team members, such as developers, designers, or product owners, can help to discuss, validate, or resolve the issues. Tracking and monitoring the progress and outcome of the issues through a bug tracking system, a dashboard, or a report is essential. Additionally, measuring and evaluating the impact of the changes using metrics, indicators, or benchmarks is key. Finally, it is important to celebrate and share your successes and learnings.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?