Overview

Exploratory Testing is a style of testing in which you explore the software while simultaneously designing and executing tests, using feedback from the last test to inform the next. Exploratory Testing helps us find surprises, implications of interactions that no one ever considered, and misunderstandings about what the software is supposed to do.

This highly interactive course includes a series of exercises designed to hone your Exploratory Testing skills. You'll learn about designing tests on the fly using variables, models, and heuristics. To make sure the information our Exploratory Testing reveals is the most valuable information possible, we'll discuss discovery of risk and verification of value. You'll also learn how to manage Exploratory Testing with Chartering and Session-Based Testing. Throughout, we'll present techniques you can start using right away to uncover those surprises that traditional, pre-planned tests tend to miss.

In order to ensure the class offers a rich, interactive experience, participation is limited to 25 people.

Outline

1. Introduction
   • Exploratory and scripted testing
   • Testing for information
   • Identifying stakeholders
   • Listing heuristics
2. Charters and Sessions
   • Testing for risk: The Nightmare Headline Game
   • Chartering discussions
   • Crafting a charter
   • The relationship between charters and sessions
   • Estimating sessions
   • Tracking results
3. Analyzing Variables
   • Variables and behavior
   • Identifying hidden and subtle variables
   • Variable heuristics
4. Modeling Behavior
   • Analyzing states
   • Creating state models
   • Interruption tests
   • Transition tests
5. Modeling the System
   • Network connection tests
   • Process tests
   • Follow the data
   • The CRUD heuristic
   • File tests
   • Multi-user system tests
6. Nouns and Verbs
   • Using objects and actions ("nouns and verbs") supported by the system to inspire creative new scenarios
   • Generating randomized tests
7. User Perspectives
   • Identifying users
   • Extreme personae
8. More Testing Ideas
   • Mining the defect database
   • Taking a field trip
9. Chartering and Sessions Revisited
10. Wrap-up