The Awkward Teenager of Testing: Exploratory Testing
Adopting an Exploratory Testing Framework by Shawn Faunce
We think we understand that awkward teenagerMany experienced testers will claim exploratory testing expertise, but too few have ever written an exploratory testing charter, and even fewer have applied a heuristic in that charter. We think we understand exploratory testing just as we think we understand teenagers, because “we have been there”. However the reality is that many of the words currently used in exploratory testing are foreign to us and we feel awkward about our lack of knowledge. This talk is about transforming a traditional testing into an exploratory awesome test team.
Tested = Checked + Explored
Charters
Target Areas
Reso
urce
s
Discovery
Mind M
aps
EcoSystem Heurist icsG o l d i l o c k s
Follow the DataNouns and Verbs
Sta rva t i on
Reconnaissance Charter
A c t i v e R e a d i n g Ambi
guity
Ana
lysis
Risk Heuristics
ReviewingCharters
Resources
TargetAreas
ToDiscover
Planning
Mind Maps EcoSystemHeuristics
BugReports
Framework
FindSomeone
Who Cares
Sourceof
Truth
Feedback
Tools
Learning
Cadence
Start Here
Vent
ure f
orth
Charters ResourcesTargetAreas
ToDiscover
Start with a Framework
Gives us a common, light-weight, solid foundation from which to venture forth
“Charters, We don’t need no stinking charters!”
- Cheech (or was it Chong ?)
A Spot, not a journey
Consistent naming
You must plan You must think
You seek treasures not defects
Improvementshere had
the biggestimpacts
Learning Reviewing
Adopt a Cadence
As you evolve through experimentation, cadence is your control variable to measure results.
Our crystal ball was surprisingly accurate
“What I learned yesterday” – what a difference a word makes
Adopting new practices only once a week
Planning
Improvementshere had
the biggestimpacts
Heuristics EcoSystem
Grab some Tools
Learning tools is an investment, invest in yourself because no else will
Conversation Starters
No one else is looking at the system this way
Few people have all the keys to the kingdom, be one of the few
Mind Maps
Improvementshere had
the biggestimpacts
Sourceof
Truth
FindSomeone
Who Cares
Bi-Directional Feedback
Feedback is a two-way street, you can be a consumer as well as a producer
The most interesting defects we find are neighbors of latest fix
Getting past the “that was the requirement” defense
They exist, you need persistence
BugReports
Improvementshere had
the biggestimpacts
Notes From the TrenchesChallenges and solutions transitioning a traditional test team into an exploratory test team on a large, heavily interfaced system.
I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymoreChallenge: Changing a mindset Solution: Framework, cadence, training, discussions, and metrics
Why do you want access to my system?Challenge: You need “visas” to exploreSolution: You need allies, and strong ones
Yet another build!!!?Challenge: Continuous Delivery means continuous deploymentsSolution: Test in parallel with and after production deployments
What is truth?Challenge: Acceptance criteria vs. Desired OutcomeSolution: Find someone who cares
Boldly going where no one has gone beforeChallenge: Indigenous population may be indigentSolution: “Marketing” brochure and chocolate chip cookies
References
3 Titans:• Elisabeth Hendrickson• James Bach• Cem Kaner
Elisabeth HendericksonHendrickson, Elisabeth, Explore It!: Reduce Risk and Increase Confidence with Exploratory Testing
James Bachhttp://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/category/exploratory-testing
Cem Kanerhttp://www.kaner.com/pdfs/QAIExploring.pdf
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