Exploratory Testing - James Bach
Summary
TLDRThe video script challenges the conventional understanding of testing in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of exploratory testingβa method where testers have the autonomy to make decisions during the testing process. It criticizes the industry's tendency to underestimate testers, suggesting that creativity and intelligence are crucial for effective testing. By arguing that scripted testing, which limits tester autonomy, is less interesting than exploratory testing, the speaker highlights the need for a shift in perspective. They advocate for recognizing testers as intelligent individuals capable of making smart, strategic decisions, rather than mere followers of predefined scripts.
Takeaways
- π Exploratory testing is about empowerment and control, allowing the tester to make decisions during the testing process.
- π‘ The essence of exploratory testing is the freedom to explore and choose different paths, akin to how other professionals exercise their skills in various ways.
- π§ Being a tester is not about following a rigid script, but about using intelligence and creativity to identify issues and find solutions.
- π« The perception that testers are not smart or that testing is a 'stupid' job is a misconception that leads to the need for a special term like 'exploratory testing'.
- π Scripted testing is sometimes necessary, especially when a tester wants to stop making new choices and follow a predetermined plan.
- π€ The industry's confusion between testers as mere followers and as intelligent problem-solvers has led to the emphasis on exploratory testing.
- π Testers should be seen as clever human beings hired for their ability to think critically and adapt to different scenarios.
- π οΈ The value of exploratory testing lies in its adaptability and the tester's ability to react to new information and changing circumstances.
- π Exploratory testing encourages a more dynamic and responsive approach to testing, which can uncover issues that scripted methods might miss.
- πΌ It's important to recognize the professional skills and decision-making abilities of testers, rather than reducing them to mere executors of tests.
Q & A
What is the core concept of exploratory testing?
-The core concept of exploratory testing is that it is a type of testing that is controlled by the tester, allowing them to make choices and exercise their critical thinking skills during the testing process.
Why is the term 'exploratory testing' unique in the context of testing jobs?
-The term 'exploratory testing' is unique because it highlights the fact that testers, unlike in many other professions, are often expected to follow predefined scripts and not make independent choices, which is unusual for roles that require intelligence and problem-solving skills.
What does it mean for a tester to have control during testing?
-Having control during testing means that the tester has the autonomy to decide what to test, how to test it, and when to make changes or stop testing, based on their observations and understanding of the software being tested.
Why would a tester ever choose to give up control during testing?
-A tester might choose to give up control during testing to adhere to strict guidelines or regulatory requirements, or when using scripted testing methods that are more suitable for certain types of testing, such as compliance-based or accessibility testing.
How does the perception of testers as 'stupid' affect the industry?
-The perception of testers as 'stupid' or less intelligent leads to an undervaluation of their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which in turn can result in a preference for scripted testing over more dynamic and adaptable exploratory testing methods.
What is the role of intelligence and adaptability in exploratory testing?
-Intelligence and adaptability are crucial in exploratory testing as it requires testers to think on their feet, make informed decisions, and adapt their approach based on the outcomes of their testing and the behavior of the software under test.
How does exploratory testing differ from scripted testing?
-Exploratory testing involves simultaneous test design and execution, with a focus on discovery and learning, whereas scripted testing follows predefined test cases and is more structured and less flexible.
What are some benefits of exploratory testing?
-Benefits of exploratory testing include the ability to uncover bugs that may be missed by other testing methods, the flexibility to adapt to new findings, and the encouragement of creativity and critical thinking among testers.
What are some challenges associated with exploratory testing?
-Challenges of exploratory testing include difficulties in replicating failures, determining the need for tools, selecting the best test cases, reporting test results, and documenting all events during execution.
In what situations might exploratory testing be particularly useful?
-Exploratory testing can be particularly useful when there are experienced testers on the team, when an early iteration is required, when testing a critical application, or when introducing new testers to the team.
How does the industry's view of testers affect the use of exploratory testing?
-The industry's view of testers as mere executioners of scripts rather than intelligent professionals can lead to underutilization of exploratory testing, which relies on the tester's ability to make informed choices and adapt to the software's behavior.
Outlines
π The Essence of Exploratory Testing
This paragraph emphasizes the importance of exploratory testing in the software testing process. It argues that without exploratory testing, a tester becomes a mere 'human algorithm,' losing the ability to make choices and exercise control. The core idea is that exploratory testing allows testers to harness their intelligence and decision-making skills, which are inherent in other professions but often overlooked in testing. The paragraph challenges the misconception that testers are not intelligent and highlights the need for the industry to recognize the value of exploratory testing as a reflection of a tester's intellect rather than a special technique.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘exploratory testing
π‘tester
π‘human algorithm
π‘power to make choices
π‘scripted testing
π‘intelligent people
π‘construction followers
π‘quality assurance
π‘software testing
π‘professional
Highlights
Exploratory testing is about maintaining control as the tester.
The essence of exploratory testing is the ability to make choices during the testing process.
Every profession has the power to make choices, but testers are often seen as an exception.
Teachers and managers have the freedom to deviate from their scripts without being labeled as 'exploratory'.
The term 'exploratory testing' may be necessary because people underestimate the intelligence of testers.
Intelligent behavior is mistakenly seen as a special technique when it's just testers doing their job.
Exploratory testing means having control over the testing process.
Scripted testing can be valuable when a tester wants to stop making new choices.
The industry sometimes confuses testers with construction followers rather than recognizing them as intelligent professionals.
Exploratory testing is fundamental and should not be seen as a special technique.
The need for a term like 'exploratory testing' highlights a misunderstanding of the testing profession.
Testers should be seen as normal, clever human beings hired for their intellectual capabilities.
The discussion around exploratory testing is a response to an industry that undervalues tester's intelligence.
The contrast between exploratory and scripted testing is not about the methods but the level of control and choice.
Exploratory testing emphasizes the tester's role as a decision-maker in the process.
The industry's perception of testers needs to shift from mere followers to recognizing their full intellectual potential.
Transcripts
[Music]
testing is exploratory if you take
exploratoryness out of testing then
you're no longer a tester you're a
program you're a human algorithm
so the fundamental idea behind
exploratory testing is and always has
been
testing that is in the control of the
tester as the tester is doing the work
in other words do you have the power
to make choices
notice how every other job we can
imagine has power to make choices
and no one
has a special word for that
a school teacher can choose to teach a
lesson in a different way and no one
says whoa whoa what are you doing some
kind of exploratory teaching a manager
can decide to say something in a meeting
that they haven't written out in advance
and nobody says hey that's exploratory
management you're doing
why is it
that only when testers act like ordinary
smart human beings that people seem to
think they need to have a special word
for that and I already know the answer
the answer is because people think
testers are stupid
they think testing is stupid so when you
do anything smart they feel like that
must be some kind of special technique
you're using rather than just being a
normal
clever human who was hired to use their
brains now as soon as you say that
explore trade testing means testing over
which you have control
then what's really interesting is to ask
yourself well why would you ever not
have control and that's an interesting
question because there are times when
you do want to give up control when you
want to stop making new choices and
that's interesting
that's why I think scripted testing is
the interesting thing to talk about not
exploratory testing the only reason we
feel we have to talk about exploratory
testing is our industry is so screwed up
that they've confused us
for construction followers instead of
intelligent people
[Music]
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