5 Exploratory testing APIs

 

This chapter covers

  • What exploratory testing is and how it works
  • How to plan exploratory testing sessions
  • What an exploratory testing session might involve
  • How to share what has been learned from an exploratory testing session

Before we dive into exploratory testing, let’s start with a short activity. Find a piece of paper and a pen, and write down a script that guides a reader from point A to point B. This could be from the office front door to your desk or from the front door of your house to your kitchen. Try not to worry too much about the route. With your script written, if you can, give it to someone else, and ask them to start at point A and use your script to get them to point B. Once they’ve completed the journey, ask them a simple question: What things did they see as they followed your script? For example, was there anything interesting on the walls? Did someone have an unusual item on their desk? It doesn’t matter what they say; note it down, then ask them to do the same activity again. But this time, don’t give them a script to follow. Tell them they have 10 minutes to get from point A to point B, but during those 10 minutes, they can write down everything they see around them as they make their journey.

5.1 The value of exploratory testing

5.1.1 The testing cycle in exploratory testing

5.2 Planning to explore

5.2.1 Generating charters

5.2.2 Charters and exploratory testing sessions

5.2.3 Organizing our exploratory testing

5.3 Exploratory testing: A case study

5.3.1 Beginning the session

5.3.2 Knowing when something isn’t right

5.3.3 Coming up with ideas for testing

5.3.4 Using tools

5.3.5 Note-taking

5.3.6 Knowing when to stop

5.3.7 Running your own exploratory testing session

5.4 Sharing your discoveries

5.5 Exploratory testing as part of a strategy

Summary