Exploratory Testing: A Beginner's Guide

When it comes to app development, delivering high-quality software is more important than ever. Yet, even the best testing strategies can sometimes miss those subtle, hard-to-define issues that users sense but can’t always put into words. This is where exploratory testing comes in. 

In this guide, we’ll dive into what makes exploratory testing unique and powerful. First, we’ll define what exploratory testing is, why this testing method is a great ally to other testing types, as well as how to plan, execute, and document exploratory tests. Keep reading to learn more about exploratory testing and how to adopt it for your own projects.

What is exploratory testing?

Exploratory testing is a type of software testing approach that—unlike scripted testing which follows a predetermined path—encourages testers to venture off the beaten track and investigate with a “think outside the box” mentality.

Cem Kaner defined exploratory testing as:

“A style of testing that emphasizes the freedom and responsibility of the individual tester to continually optimize the quality of her work by treating test design, test execution, test result interpretation, and learning as mutually supporting activities that continue in parallel throughout the course of the project.”

This approach turns traditional testing on its head, prioritizing discovery and experimentation over simply using the cut-and-dry method of testing that looks like this: 

1. Identifying feature  
2. Testing said feature 
3. Reporting bugs

Although this method does get the job done, it’s limited in its scope and ability to see the bigger picture.

What is the difference between ad-hoc testing and exploratory testing?

Let’s debunk a common myth. Exploratory testing is not ad-hoc testing. While ad-hoc testing is characterized by its unplanned nature and minimal documentation, exploratory testing is time-boxed, with a fairly structured and methodical approach.

Why adopt exploratory testing?

Exploratory testing aims to test a software's features, functions, and operations as well as identify technical or functional problems. This type of testing excels at uncovering "unknown unknowns". Namely, issues that can't be anticipated through scripted tests or automation. It helps testers develop their intuition, turning vague feelings of something being "off" into actionable insights. This approach can enhance various testing types, including user acceptance testing (UAT), API testing, security testing, and even test automation.

Getting started with exploratory testing

But how do you get started with exploratory testing? Exploratory testing is all about continuous learning. Below is a quick overview of how you should plan for exploratory testing and  how to execute tests effectively.

Creating a charter

Create a charter. This is where you establish the foundations of the test to make sure it stays on track and generates results that can be used to make an impact. You need to evaluate three key points: What will you explore? What tools will you use? What do you want to discover? Put simply, start by asking yourself these three questions:

• What am I testing specifically? 

Are you testing a specific feature or functionality? Make sure you are specific and clear in your goal, as this will help you figure out the expected outcomes and generate the most data.

• What resources do I need for testing?

Do you need data to be created? What specific user permissions are required? Do you need to invest in any specific equipment? Whatever it is, you must have all your resources before you start testing to prevent any stalls and ensure test completion.

• What are my testing goals?

Make sure your goal isn’t just to “find some bugs”. Do you want to learn more about a feature or how something functions? How does something react under certain situations? It’s imperative that your end goal is clear and easy to define.

Once you’ve asked yourself these three questions, and you’ve written the basics of your charter template, it’s time to start making some decisions.

Running your exploratory tests

After you’ve established the charter, you can move on to planning. We included some steps below that can help you outline the process.

1. Plan your time

• Timebox (the practice of setting a time limit on a task) your overall testing effort.
• Break the timebox into focused sessions (e.g., two 30-minute sessions for a one-hour timebox).
• Limit total testing time maximum per charter. It’s easy to keep digging when testing, but when this happens, the scope of the test can become too broad. Limit your time to make sure all tasks are sliced up and targeted accurately.

2. Execute your tests

• Document your process (consider recording your session).
• Stay focused on the charter, but note any unrelated issues for later exploration.
• Take breaks if you feel overwhelmed or confused.
• Be flexible—adjust your approach if needed.

3. Debrief and document

• Share your findings and learning with your team.
• Document results in your test management system.
• Identify areas for future exploration based on peer feedback.

Remember, mastering exploratory testing is an ongoing journey. This guide offers a starting point, but there's always more to learn and discover about this powerful testing technique.

The bottom line

This beginner guide will help you understand the basics of how to run an exploratory test, but that still doesn’t make this an easy task. Most products require multiple rounds of testing from different perspectives, covering a variety of features and functionalities.

Whether you’re after unexpected insights or simply want a fresh perspective on your software, we can help. Our dedicated teams of ISTQB-certified engineers have over a decade of experience in software quality assurance, covering every step of your testing journey to success and beyond. 

Don’t get bogged down in the mud, contact our team and learn how our testers can help you reach faster time to market and make sure you outperform your competitors.