A brief introduction to agile methodology and exploratory testing

Exploratory Testing is a very important activity in an agile environment because it can facilitate software testers to stay up with the speedy development pace of agile software.

First, a brief introduction of Agile methodology and Exploratory testing:

• In agile methodology, the software is discharged in tiny iterations.
• Each iteration goes through with, estimation, development, integration, testing, and release.
• Because of frequent releases, check automation becomes necessary as developers have to be compelled to get fast feedback on the status of the application.
• The automated checks serve as regression tests to confirm that with every unharness the software has not regressed.
• Exploratory Testing is outlined as simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution.

It is Associate in Nursing approach to check that values the tester as Associated in Nursing integral  part of the test method and shares the constant values as the Agile Manifesto:

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

2. Working software over comprehensive documentation

3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

4. Responding to change over following a plan

Exploratory Testing is also complementary to test automation;  whereas automated checks are checking for regression problems, exploratory testing focuses on new features that are developed.

This is necessary as a result of every sprint generally lasts solely a number of weeks, that doesn’t permit sufficient time for scripting tests cases.

On the opposite hand, exploratory testing in an agile setting, permits testers to get familiar with the domain and the application and on every iteration, understanding is enhanced and

hence testers become more efficient.

Agile-Exploratory-Testing

There are 2 sides to testing, ones which support programming, i.e. Unit Test.

Unit Test:  Support writing code (unit tests) or give a sign of once the programmer is done (acceptance tests) and therefore the ones that critique the product, look at the finished product with the intent of discovering inadequacies.” It’s here, in the area of critiquing the product, where exploratory testing may play a major role in an agile project.

In agile, the tests that support programming are mostly done by developers and are almost always automated and is an indication from a programmer’s point of view. Whereas exploratory tests aim to search out attainable problems that are on the far side automatic computer user can test.

The exploratory testers specialize in areas wherever existing automatic tests may return up short.

Exploratory Testing: Effective exploratory testers engaged in agile use the ways of exploratory testing to assist and inform the project team concerning attainable problems with the merchandise.

Their checking is often unstructured and managed exploitation charters and test sessions.

Also thanks to the short intervals of development, testing inherently becomes risk-based, and exploratory testing will specialize in high-risk areas to search out potential issues.

Agile methodologies and exploratory testing are complementary methods which, when employed together, can create excellent synergy within the testing experience.

Thanks