Exploratory Testing

by Maaret Pyhäjärvi

Exploratory testing is a systematic approach for learning about the target of testing for all kinds of information, and has it's strenghts in enabling us to learn things we don't even know we don't know about out systems. Being a systematic approach for discovering risks using rigorous analysis techniques couples with testing heuristics, exploratory testing is an approach to software testing that treats test design, test execution and learning as parallel, mutually supportive activities. An essential idea directing exploratory testing is to make best possible use out of limited resources: exploratory testing is for intelligent testing that delivers results and uses tools when needed.
This book summarizes how the author has learned to think while testing, describing some of the models of explaining things to others as part of teaching courses on testing. To the author, all testing is exploratory, and as such, the book provides a great summary for all things testing.

76 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Viktor Slavchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introductory book to exploratory testing, anyway I miss a more in depth view of what ET is in its core -experimentation, heuristics, questioning, etc.
I hope Maaret considers building more to this one. I definitely recommend it to those new to testing and exploring.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book on exploratory testing. It covers all the things you need to get yourself started with this form of testing. It explains the challenges and gives you advice on how to tackle them. The only downside for me is that this book is too short. I would love to dig deeper and read more about practical examples and hard to track bugs.