Exploratory Testing vs Automated Testing

History of exploratory testing:

Exploratory testing is first named “ad-hoc testing”. the “exploratory testing” was named by the software testing expert Cem Kaner in the classic book, which is Testing Computer Software....

Why use Exploratory Testing?

Below are some of the reasons for using exploratory testing:...

When should you use Exploratory Testing?

When need to learn quickly about the application: Exploratory testing is beneficial for the scenarios when a new tester enters the team and needs to learn quickly about the application and provide rapid feedback.  Review from a user perspective: It comes in handy when there is a need to review products from a user perspective. Early iteration required: Exploratory testing is helpful in scenarios when an early iteration is required as the teams don’t have much time to structure the test cases. Testing mission-critical applications: Exploratory testing ensures that the tester doesn’t miss the edge cases that can lead to critical quality failures. Aid unit test: Exploratory testing can be used to aid unit tests, document the test cases, and use test cases to test extensively during the later sprints....

When to say no to exploratory testing:

Organizations must be able to get the proper balance between exploratory testing and scripted testing. Until you reach a proper initial state only exploratory testing will not work and will not cover the expected result for the team....

Importance of exploratory testing for CI/CD:

Exploratory testing is open to all stakeholders and not just only to train the testers. using these tests we will able to capture screenshots, record voice during the session, and able to give feedback at the same time. this will be more fastly able to review as compared to traditional software testers...

Types of Exploratory Testing:

There are many types of exploratory testing. Few are as follows:...

Exploratory Testing Process:

The following 4 steps are involved in the exploratory testing process:...

Exploratory Testing vs Automated Testing:

Below are the differences between exploratory testing and automated testing:...

Best Practices for Exploratory Testing:

Understand the customer: For effective exploratory testing, it is important to understand the customer’s viewpoint and expectations properly. End users browse the same software in different ways based on age, gender preferences, and other factors. Testers must be able to approach the software from all those user perspectives. The aim of testing should be clear: For effective exploratory testing, the testers need to have a clear mindset and have clarity on the mission of testing. Testers should maintain clear notes on what needs to be tested, and why it needs to be tested. Proper documentation: It is important to make proper notes and take a document and monitor test coverage, risk, Tets execution log, issues, and queries. Tracking of issues: The tester should maintain a proper record of questions and issues raised during testing....

Challenges of Exploratory Testing:

Replication of failure: In exploratory testing replication of failure to identify the cause is difficult. Difficult to determine the best test case: In exploratory testing, determining the best test case to execute or to determine the best tool to use can be challenging. Difficult to document all events: During exploratory testing documentation of all events is difficult. Difficult reporting: Reporting test results is difficult in exploratory testing as the report does not have well-planned test scripts to compare with the outcome....

Advantages of Exploratory Testing:

Less preparation required: It takes no preparation as it is an unscripted testing technique. Finds critical defects: Exploratory testing involves an investigation process that helps to find critical defects very quickly. Improves productivity: In exploratory testing, testers use their knowledge, skills, and experience to test the software. It helps to expand the imagination of the testers by executing more test cases, thus enhancing the overall quality of the software. Generation of new ideas: Exploratory testing encourages creativity and intuition thus the generation of new ideas during test execution.  Catch defects missed in test cases: Exploratory testing helps to uncover bugs that are normally ignored by other testing techniques....

Disadvantages of Exploratory Testing:

Tests cannot be reviewed in advance: In exploratory testing, Testing is performed randomly so once testing is performed it cannot be reviewed. Dependent on the tester’s knowledge: In exploratory testing, the testing is dependent on the tester’s knowledge, experience, and skill. Thus, it is limited by the tester’s domain knowledge. Difficult to keep track of tests: In Exploratory testing, as testing is done in an ad-hoc manner, keeping track of tests performed is difficult. Not possible to repeat test methodology: Due to the ad-hoc nature of testing in exploratory testing, tests are done randomly and thus it is not suitable for longer execution time, and it is not possible to repeat the same test methodology....

Conclusion

Many advantages come with exploratory testing, such as its adaptability, versatility and capacity to address unexpected scenarios. This method helps testers to swiftly evaluate the functionality of the software and spot possible problems, which makes it especially useful early in a project or when dealing with changing requirements. A software product that incorporates exploratory testing within the testing lifecycle is more robust and dependable....