Exploratory testing in Agile Environment

1. 7/29/2016 Exploratory testing in Agile Environment Exploratory testing in Agile Environment MOBILEAPPTESTING Exploratory Testing | mobileappstesting

2. Exploratory testing in A Exploratory testing in Agile gile Environment Environment Exploratory testing has become a useful tool when it comes to simultaneous testing in the agile model of software of development. Exploratory testing and the Agile environment of software development have set of instructions which connect to each other very well, hence they are often used together to get the best results while operation . The terminology used is for professional software developers, therefore for beginners; we would like to define the terms separately for better understanding. Explo Exploratory Testing ratory Testing As the name suggests, exploratory testing explores the objectives of testing by listing them inside specific time boxes (pre-declared) in which the approach to execution is given more value than planning. This method is much used but less talked about. The testers rely on hands-on experience which offers a better test scenario as compared to scripted testing in certain ways. To put it simply enough, exploratory testing can be stated as the combined process of design and test. The findings of the tests are recorded for further test cycles or deployed side by side for development. Agile Environment Agile Environment The Agile working environment basically gives more importance to intra-team interactive efforts while reacting to the test results on the go. The mode of work requires that the development proceeds as the testing is being carried out and the improvement is sought side by side. This kind of environment promotes healthy communication among the partners. The working software grows as the testing and execution continue to run along. How the two complement each other? How the two complement each other? There are certain stages to development that we are all aware of, namely: Planning Estimation Coding Integration Testing Release As per Agile, when the stages of planning and estimation are done with, the process of writing code and integrating it brings about frequent logs called scrums while testing. These scrums can be used for further development and the model of exploratory testing greatly favors it. The developers are able to get on-time reports for the iterations they are testing with and a resort to

3. risen logs can be found as the development is in progress. This reduces the development time from months to weeks. The duo of the two models also helps accommodate unforeseen issues with the software as it goes through exploratory testing and development becomes even more fruitful. The developer is also benefitted by the sense of experience he is able to obtain from the scrums which further point to the behavior of software under various constraints. Such an experience fine-tunes the usability of the software. Specifications of the testing environment Specifications of the testing environment To try to demonstrate the agile environment and exploratory testing we’ll talk about the various things that form the environment. The Test The test must include: A subject or a user who’ll generate the different conditions required for testing. Level of risk or the corollary of the software testing condition with the user. Error prerequisite or a plan of various conditions to be implied while testing. Guidelines for implying the condition The objective of the specific test on which the test depend. Failure point estimation. Created errors and software’s response. Estimation of errors. Guidelines for evaluation The determination of boundaries. Measures to change the variation. Distortions that may come up Some other points worth of note The test conditions applied to the software should neither be overly specific nor be too general as in both cases the objective of the certain test condition would change. There should be clarity based on where to explore, with what tool and what we intend to find.

4. Advantages of Exploratory testing in Agile Advantages of Exploratory testing in Agile Exploratory testing helps the tester in lot many ways. The tester is able to form interactive basis while testing with the other members of the team who are part of other areas such as the developer, the designer and the financial expert. This increases the overall knowledge of the tester about the product as well as the implications of the test results to various sectors. This promotes the tester’s own ability to think. The tester is able to think beyond the charter and design newer tests that help the software to develop in better ways. Disadvantages of Exploratory testing in Agile Disadvantages of Exploratory testing in Agile In the continuous development that follows, it sometimes becomes hard to recall which test suggested what change in design; this turns out to be a hassle when we use environments like Agile. The adaptability desired from the tester somehow is not matched upto the expectation and the tester may not be able to respond to the circumstantial challenges Agile puts down. For beginning testers, this can produce results that are often too ambiguous which can prove bad for the confidence of the tester. Conclusion Conclusion Exploratory testing has received much attention in recent years due to the benefits of self development opportunities that this technique offers. According to James Bach, every tester has once in their life used Exploratory testing mechanism without knowing about it, which makes it a very practical approach for testing. The combination of Agile Environment which is already based on principles similar to that of Exploratory Testing further enhances the implication of the both to testing. There are certain advantages to Exploratory testing for the testers and certain disadvantages which are part of every system that exists. It is advisable that via the guidance of Testing Managers, such anomalies could be overcome, thus, making Exploratory testing in Agile, a considerable option for experience based and time saving requiring conditions. More information at More information at www.mobileappstesting.com www.mobileappstesting.com; ;