Exploratory Testing

Ministry of Testing

Suggestions:

We should drastically reduce the use of the term "user error," replacing it most of the time with "unexpected user behavior" - Exploratory testing can help us reduce the amount of unexpected user behavior because we will have anticipated it and made sure the system doesn't break when they do it - To limit redundant testing, we are going to think together to come up with a list of "off the happy path" user behaviours. - Helps to think about the way the user feels when they are working in the system. -- If a user is facing a deadline, and has an issue, they might be anxious. --- Anxious users may click buttons multiple times in a row, ignore instructions in warning modals, etc. -- If a user is new to the system and doesn't want to use it, they may be frustrated. --- Frustrated users may quit in the middle of a task, delete files or drafts in order to "start over," etc. -- If a user is new to the system and is excited about using it, they may be curious. --- Curious users may try to use features for different purposes than they were designed for.

--- by Deb Collins