What are the most effective methods for exploratory testing?

There is no one way to perform exploratory testing better than another. It should simply be the way testing is done whether manual or automated. It's explanation tells you what you need to do to test effectively. Done!

Software testing has evolved from rigid, scripted methodologies to more dynamic and adaptive approaches. Among these, exploratory testing has gained prominence for its flexibility and efficiency in identifying defects. In this article, we'll delve into effective methods of exploratory testing, shedding light on techniques that empower testers to navigate the complex landscape of software quality. 1) Ad-Hoc Testing: The Art of Unscripted Exploration. 2)Charter-based Testing: Guiding Exploration with Purpose. 3)Time-Boxed Sessions: Focused and Efficient Testing 4)Pair Testing: Harnessing the Power of Collaboration 5)Mind Mapping: Visualizing Exploration for Comprehensive Coverage 6)Scenario-based Testing: Real-world Simulations for Usability

In Pharmaceutical QMS we rely on Quality Risk Management techniques, starts from the root cause investigation and finding product performance defects and gaps, by employing techniques like fish bone , then issuing a CAPA ,implementing the CAPA and following this to market place , and getting customers feed back for gaps and bugs , the process is cyclic in nature and anatomy . Results and inference depends on data quality .

Exploratory testing is one of the best approaches to understand the business process and domain.During the exploration we try to understand & know about the idea behind the product and its business flow that make life easy for our customer & user both side. It gives clear vision, ideas and directions about the product & better view of the ground realities and the main purpose behind the idea. On that point. The question raises How we are going to deliver a quality product to make our user life easy and secure to save the precious time.? So the main moral . """"The story is that after exploratory we raise questions and know about the product domain and business flow. To deliver a quality product as per customer requirements"""".

Most effective methods exploratory testing in my opinion are: - negative test, the goal is test de edge of scenarios with inputs that shouldn't be allowed. - tests in another environments (OS, language, browser)

Effective exploratory testing involves a mix of creativity and structured approaches. Some methods include: 1. Ad-hoc Testing 2. Scenario-based Testing: 3. Pair Testing 4. Boundary Value Analysis 5. Error Guessing 6. Exploratory Testing Charters 7. Time-Boxed Testing 8. Mind Maps 9. User Personas 10. Regression Exploration

Effective exploratory testing involves a mix of creativity and structured approaches. Some methods include: Ad-hoc Testing,Scenario-based Testing,Piar Testing,Boundary Value Analysis,Error Guessing,Exploratory Testing Charters,Time-Boxed Testing,Mind Maps,User Personas,Regression Exploration

We need to set up a meeting together with the DEV/BA/PM/QA teams and ensure we discuss the projects,do the homework on the boards,in notes or in presentation.

In exploratory testing, using notes and sketches is vital. They help document observations and ideas, analyze findings, identify patterns, and generate hypotheses. Various forms like mind maps, flowcharts, and diagrams can effectively capture this information, offering a clear and visual understanding of the testing process.

Whilst doing testing for an eCommerce website, I would build the test scripts for boundary testing in Excel. For each successful test, a green check mark would be placed in the cell. A red check mark for failure, etc. This made for an easy visual and precisely what was tested. For example, if something was only able to be made from a 24 inch to 40 inch width and a length up to 120 inches, a test case would be attempting to order a 41 x 175 inch and putting a check mark when an error message appeared. The script could easily then be attached to the user story for the client to read.

During the exploratory testing feedbacks are one of the most important tools to keep and maintain the base conditions and can create autonomous maintenance.

Usar cada comentario e informe para la calidad cuenta siempre que tenga todo el detalle para ayudarte a crear un camino fácil de transitar en las pruebas exploratorias que realices, tanto en el momento como a la largo del tiempo, para el equipo que trabaja contigo y para ti.

Upon acquiring new software, users provide essential domain knowledge to identify scenarios, from which high-level test cases are derived using common-sense data. This manual testing phase allows assessment without proper documentation. Subsequently, automation through tools is considered for mandated and regression testing in future releases/patches, enabling exploratory testing. Incident reporting tasks align with the regular testing process throughout this lifecycle.

Finding the right automation tools can be daunting, but there are ways to compare and contrast based off the needs and skill sets of the users executing them on a daily basis. We also refer to Gartners Magic Quadrant reviews.

Usar herramienta y automatizaciones que permitan agilizar y abordar esos caso de prueba repetitivos le permiten y ayuda a los testers abordar nuevos escenarios y pruebas.

Learn as much as you can about how the system is supposed to work. Learn from the users how their existing routine to get the job done is, Try to put yourself in their shoes and explore what happens when you 1) attempt to follow the ?happy path? but then choose to go back 2)press one of the available buttons and divert from the standard path.

First of all, a common issue in detecting bugs on production is that as testers, we often focus solely on the functional requirements of the product. If a feature aligns with the documentation, it's deemed ready for release. However, users are often unaware of these requirements and explore the product, using it in ways not necessarily intended by the developers. This is where exploratory testing comes into play for a tester—to try to become a user and set aside all knowledge about the product. This is where we may discover unexpected issues or insights. Reviewing bug reports from users and trying to understand their approach when encountering problems can be enlightening.

I've found very helpful in my working place studying experiment expand knowledge to the level where you can gain confidence to solve problems

The best way to see potential issues in a product is to simply explore it. Dont just use the product like a end-user would. Try to use the product in ways it is not meant to be used. Most users dont go by the “happy flows” we look at when implementing a module. By experimenting using that approach we come across issues, which when fixed, facilitate the end user and in turn the business itself.

There are 2 roads in which to answer. The unknown trying to find answers when there is little known experiences to pull from (which share many of the same tools but my answer is geared towards existing issues). Then there is trying to fix something that isn’t getting the expected result or isn’t running as designed. The first step is understanding the why? The only way to do this is to pull all existing process documentation including PFMEA. If a PFMEA hasn’t been created it’s a great way to develop guaranteed problem solving methods for the future. Then gather data. Developing a problem statement is the next key. The problem statement should be written so when you have completed the work, it will be easy to see the issue has been solved.

Exploratory testing is unscripted approach to software testing, where we explore the application to uncover defects and gain deeper understanding of application behavior. We can use below techniques for effective exploratory testing. 1. Scenario based: define scenarios through the application which are common and edge cases. And notice the application behavior. 2. Ad hoc Testing: perform unstructured, spontaneous testing where we interact with application without predefined test cases. 3. Boundary Test: perform the tests with test data range with the boundaries. This will uncover issues related to edge cases 4. Error Guessing: Based on experience and intuition we perform the testing to identify problem areas and errors.

Viewing exploratory testing from another angle, the key is not just in conducting it, but in how we capture and integrate its findings into mainstream testing. The real value lies in transforming insights from exploratory sessions into structured tests for those scenarios. This approach ensures that the spontaneous, often insightful observations made during exploratory testing are not lost, but rather used to enhance the overall testing strategy and improve the software's quality and reliability.

??Best practice exploratory testing answers the following questions: ??Does the app perform the function it was designed for? ??Does the app work under multiple scenarios? ??Is app performance good enough? What potential bugs are there? ??Top 5 scenarios where exploratory testing can be a huge benefit to your testing strategy. ??You’re not sure what tests to run ??You want to diversify the testing process after a cycle of scripted testing ??You need to recieve rapid feedback on a product ??You want to understand the ins and outs of a new release quickly ??You want to find more bugs!

Use the product as the end-users would use it. That's the best way to cover most common, and realistic scenarios. While testing pretend that you are 25 years old tech savy, then pretend that you are 60-70-80 years old and tjat you've been using the computer for the last two years, now you are an 'average joe', now you are stakeholder, etc. The last role you should take would be the one of the 2-4 yearold child - WRECK IT as hard as you possibly can.

Exploratory testing is a valuable tool for any type of project, but its utility scales with the size of the project. You'll probably be better off with 100% scripted coverage for small to tiny projects where resources are limited and development is more focused and less chaotic. You generally want to tailor your testing to the dev cycle/sprints. Alas, if you're going to have the luxury of exploratory testing a.k.a. free testing, you should always consider historical data. Start with areas that haven't been touched in a while, and areas that historically yielded issues. Then move towards feature sets that went in and last but certainly not least, cover anything that's been left out or that you have a feel for. Always trust your gut