Oduro is from Ghana and is an experienced Software Quality professional who likes to contribute towards the larger testing community with thoughts on specific areas. 

It is time to hunt bugs! Let us talk about exploratory test

On exploratory testing projects, we will give you the freedom to explore an app/website by yourself to identify all possible bugs you can find. Fear not! We are not talking about insects or animals, a bug is a problem in a piece of software that causes unexpected results or makes the app/website crash.

Let’s tackle some common myths about this type of testing, so you can feel confident when you receive an exploratory cycle invitation.

Myth 1: There are no rules to follow in exploratory testing

WRONG! As in any other cycle, we always encourage our testers to read the complete description of the project – including the Overview and the In Scope/Out-of-Scope areas for testing. In fact, one of the main clues to become a skillful tester is your capability to read and follow instructions. Do not rush; if you miss something important in the instructions, you may waste your time!

Make sure you understand the complete description of the project before starting your hunt, and do not forget to read the Out of Scope Section carefully, as there might be parts of the website/app that you are not allowed to test.

Myth 2: It does not require previous testing knowledge

If you are a new tester, we do not want to discourage you from joining these cycles. On the contrary, we want to provide you with the necessary tools to succeed on your first hunt!

What is it that you should know before joining an exploratory project? You need to learn how to report bugs; we rely on your written skills and your capability to meticulously report issues so we can easily reproduce them afterwards by following your instructions.

A complete course about bug reporting is available at the Testerwork Training Center or Academy for you to review anytime!

Myth 3: Exploratory tests are time consuming or take longer to complete than other types of testing

When following the corresponding Overview instructions, exploratory testing should not take longer than other types of projects. In fact, by having the freedom to explore an app/software, you also have the possibility to set up your own schedule. Keep in mind that the key to success is not the quantity of errors you find, but the quality of your bug reports.