[Authors' note: Others have already made the point we make here: that exploratory testing ought to be called testing. In fact, Michael said that about tests in 2009, and James wrote a blog post in … [Read more...] about Exploratory Testing 3.0
Satisfice Blog
History of Definitions of ET
History of the term “Exploratory Testing” as applied to software testing within the Rapid Software Testing methodology space. For a discussion of the some of the social and philosophical issues … [Read more...] about History of Definitions of ET
“Are you listening? Say something!”
[Note: J. Michael Hammond suggests that I note right at the top of this post that the dictionary definition of listen does not restrict the word to the mere noticing of sounds. In the Oxford English … [Read more...] about “Are you listening? Say something!”
How Not to Standardize Testing (ISO 29119)
Many years ago I took a management class. One of the exercises we did was on achieving consensus. My group did not reach an agreement because I wouldn't lower my standards. I wanted to discuss the … [Read more...] about How Not to Standardize Testing (ISO 29119)
Let’s test at Let’s Test
I've been telling people that the best conference I know for thinking testers is Let's Test (followed closely by CAST, which I will also be at, this year, in New York). Let's Test was created by … [Read more...] about Let’s test at Let’s Test
Variable Testers
I once heard a vice president of software engineering tell his people that they needed to formalize their work. That day, I was an unpaid consultant in the building to give a free seminar, so I had … [Read more...] about Variable Testers
No KPIs: Use Discussion
My son is ready to send the manuscript of his novel to publishers. It's time to see what the interest is. In other words, we are going to beta on it. He made this decision tonight. What is the … [Read more...] about No KPIs: Use Discussion
Agile Testing Heuristic: The Power of Looking
Today I broke my fast with a testing exercise from a colleague. (Note: I better not tell you what it is or even who gave it to me, because after you read this it will be spoiled for you, whereas if … [Read more...] about Agile Testing Heuristic: The Power of Looking
Test Jumpers: One Vision of Agile Testing
Many software companies, these days, are organized around a number of small Agile teams. These teams may be working on different projects or parts of the same project. I have often toured such … [Read more...] about Test Jumpers: One Vision of Agile Testing
RST Methodology: “Responsible Tester”
[author's note: in an earlier version of this blog post, I called supporting testers "helpers." Supporting testers are certainly helpers, but I now call them supporting testers to emphasize that they … [Read more...] about RST Methodology: “Responsible Tester”