Just as a chef experiments with various ingredients to craft a unique culinary masterpiece, similarly, a stand-up comedian tests new jokes on the fly, adapting to audience reactions. Likewise, a journalist seeks out the truth by exploring multiple angles.
Exploratory testing embodies a similar spirit of creativity and discovery in software.
What is exploratory testing?
Exploratory testing is a type of software testing in which testers navigate an application without relying on predefined test cases and scripts, aiming to uncover bugs and hidden issues that traditional testing might overlook. It is the QA specialists’ creative zone where they are driven by curiosity, keen observation, improvisation, and adaptation.
Tigran Grigoryan, Quality Excellence Engineer at Mantis EVN, asserts, “Companies turn to QA specialists not merely for routine testing but for their mastery in exploratory testing. Although many standard procedures can be automated, it’s the expert ability of QA specialists to unearth hidden bugs and software issues through exploratory testing that truly enhances the smooth user experience.”
Focusing on discovery, QA engineers step into the users’ shoes, experiencing every functionality and scenario from the end user’s perspective, ensuring a comprehensive and intuitive user experience. They employ ad-hoc and unscripted methods, testing functions in real-time based on the application’s current state and their findings.
Here are a few real-life examples that highlight how this testing approach mirrors the unpredictable ways users interact with software.
For instance, imagine a tester evaluating a ride-sharing app by exploring various user journeys. For example, they might book a ride while frequently changing the pickup location or attempt to apply expired promo codes. This approach could help uncover problems like application crashes, incorrect fare calculations, or errors in the booking process that might not be identified with standard testing methods.
Alternatively, consider how exploratory testing might reveal a critical bug in an e-commerce platform’s checkout process that only occurs under specific, yet realistic, conditions like rapid input or simultaneous user actions.
Choose Mantis EVN as your QA partner
At Mantis EVN, our quality assurance specialists deliver an extensive array of services designed to elevate your software’s performance. From Exploratory and Functional Testing to UI/UX, Regression, and Compatibility Testing, we cover it all. Therefore, follow us on LinkedIn to discover the full spectrum of our services.
Seeking a QA team that can deliver a flawless user experience for your application? Look no further. Schedule a call with us today and let our expert team elevate your software to perfection!
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