exploratory-testing

Agile Exploratory Testing

exploratory-testing

Agile Exploratory Testing

Exploratory testing is a type of functional testing and is equally as important in an Agile testing environment as in the Waterfall testing environment. Exploratory testing allows testers to take ownership over the newly developed code and test it in a structured yet some say unorganised fashion. The QA tester does not follow a specific set of test scripts but instead tests the software from an end users/ business process mind-set, Coming up with smart and inventive ways to try to find bugs.

The QA team documents defects as usual, but detailed documentation isn’t needed (unless specifically requested by your client). Exploratory testing is not scripted. Rather, it’s about developing the best tests based on each unique piece of software. As is using an unscripted approach, exploratory testing often comes from how the end users will be interacting with the software as if they were in a live environment.

Exploratory testing in Agile follows a few specific principles.

  • Test plan, design and execute in a single sprint
  • You must be flexible yet focused on the end goal
  • Quality assist rather than Quality assure whenever possible
  • Make sure to share Knowledge to all involved

Exploratory testing can help when up against tight deadlines it allows you to find more bugs while covering larger areas of the system. 

3 best practices for any QA tester when using an exploratory testing approach.

  1. Organise and stick to a plan
  2. Focus on key areas of the system that are relevant to your change
  3. Keep track of your test coverage as you don’t want to be double working areas unless totally necessary

Feel free to have a look at some of QAForce’s other blog posts around this topic.