This document provides an overview of exploratory testing, including what it is, test charters, managing and measuring exploratory testing, and tools that can be used. Exploratory testing involves simultaneous learning, test design, and execution. Test charters outline goals for exploratory test sessions and focus on a single area. Session-based and mindmap-based approaches can be used to manage exploratory testing. Results should be recorded to track progress. Tools mentioned include Bug Magnet for exploratory testing and Rapid Reporter for note-taking.

1. Exploratory Testing and Tools
Conor Fitzgerald
Rob Meaney
8th June 2017
@MinistryCork

2. Overview of Exploratory
Testing
Conor Fitzgerald
@conorfi
Robert Meaney
@robmeaney

3. Overview
• What is Exploratory Testing?
• What are Test Charters?
• Manage and Measure Exploratory Testing?
• Exploratory-Testing Tools

4. What is
Exploratory
testing?

6. What is Exploratory testing?
Scripted vs Exploratory
Both valid; complementary; shortfalls
Growth of Exploratory testing
Direction and Measurement
Personal freedom and Judgement
Approach and Mindset

7. Exploratory Testing Concise
Definition
“Simultaneous learning, test design
and test execution.”

8. Examples

9. What are test charters?

10. Testing Charters
A test charter outlines a goal or mission for your exploratory
test session.
It’s better to have multiple charters
Each of which is concise and focuses on a single area

11. A Good Testing Charter
“A good charter is a prompt: it suggests sources of inspiration
without dictating precise actions or outcomes” (Hendrickson,
2013, p. 16).

12. Testing Charter Template
Explore . . . <target>
With . . . <resources>
To discover . . . <information>

13. Testing Charter Template
Explore editing profiles
With real usernames
To discover if there are instances where username
constraints are not enforced

14. Testing Charter IDEAS
Acceptance Criteria(Story)
Exploring with Personas
Exploring with Tours

15. Manage and Measure
Explorative testing?

16. Managing Explorative Testing
• Session-Based Test Management(SBTM)
• Mindmap/Thread-Based Test Management(TBTM)
• Record Results/Track Progress

17. Session-based test management
(SBTM)Session-based test management (SBTM) involves
• Creating test charters for a testing idea
• Exploring uninterrupted for a specific time period
• 20 - 60 minutes
• Recording the results
• Following up with a debriefing session.

18. Mindmap/Thread-based test management
(TBTM)
It works on the idea of organizing tests around threads of activity, rather
than test sessions.

19. Recording Results
• Allows you to track progress
• Review completed coverage
• An opportunity to peer review and Positive feedback
• An opportunity to review your own charters or results
• Reporting to management

20. Track Progress
Whiteboard/paper
Project-management tool
Tasks in Jira
Excel

21. Exploratory-
TEST Tools

22. Bug Magnet (Exploratory-testing assistant)

23. Rapid Reporter (Note-taking Application)

24. References (BOOKS)
More Agile Testing: Learning Journeys for the Whole
Team (Chapter 12: Exploratory testing)
Janet Gregory and Lisa Crispin
Explore It! Reduce Risk and Increase Confidence with
Exploratory Testing
Elisabeth Hendrickson

25. References (BLOGS)
http://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/503
http://www.satisfice.com/articles/et-article.pdf
https://smartbear.com/learn/software-testing/introduction-to-exploratory-testing/
https://blog.smartbear.com/testing/exploratory-vs-scripted-testing-one-or-the-other-or-both/
https://blog.smartbear.com/load-testing/should-exploratory-load-testing-be-part-of-your-
process/
https://www.stickyminds.com/sites/default/files/magazine/file/2013/Demystifying%20Explorat
ory%20Testing.pdf

26. References (Tools)
Bug Magnet
gojko.github.io/bugmagnet
Rapid Reporter
http://testing.gershon.info/reporter/

27. Discussion