Exploratory testing

In exploratory testing, QA engineers evaluate software on the fly, rather than follow a strictly defined test case. With this human-centric method, testers simultaneously design, execute and review tests -- all focused on how a customer experiences an application. Learn more about exploratory testing and what it reveals with this expert advice.

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May 14, 2019 14 May'19
Software tester roles must embrace code focus

IT gives testers license to voice contrarian opinions about software. But, as pressure to deploy intensifies, they might not be able to ignore code responsibilities anymore.
March 10, 2017 10 Mar'17
The solution to speedy mobile app delivery? It's crowdsourced testing

Sometimes you just need a lot of users playing with your app to find out how it's really working. Enter crowdsourced testing. It's the latest strategy to speed up your mobile dev.
March 17, 2016 17 Mar'16
Drunk user testing changed HubSpot's approach to UX research

Giving a drunken UI designer a user test changed HubSpot's UX research and UI design practices. The results were stunning, said UX designer Austin Knight at the Fluent Conference.
April 19, 2012 19 Apr'12
Software testers as qualitative researchers: STAREAST 2012 keynote

The qualitative research methods employed by social scientists are not so different from the work of software testers, according to STAREAST 2012 keynote speaker Michael Bolton.

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content

quality assurance (QA)

Quality assurance (QA) is any systematic process of determining whether a product or service meets specified requirements. Continue Reading
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The aim of containers is to simplify development work. Testers can enjoy the benefits, too, as these isolated systems free up time for stress, soak, security and exploratory tests. Continue Reading
3 ways to test in production promptly and productively

As much as Agile and DevOps changed development, they also shifted testers' roles -- to the right. Gerie Owen offers three ways to evaluate apps in production to find failures. Continue Reading

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Learn the value of exploratory testing vs. scripted testing

In this podcast, testing expert Matt Heusser explains how exploratory and scripted tests differ and how they complement each other. Continue Reading
The future of software testing: It's a brave new world

It's a brave new world software testers. Expert Gerie Owen begins an 11-part series on everything you need to know about the future of software testing today. Continue Reading
Electric utility device testing in the smart grid era

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Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

5 key ways to fulfill the role of QA in DevOps

DevOps teams want production-ready code, which means someone in this fast-moving pipeline needs to think like a user. Enter QA, with its toolkit of exploratory tests, design review and more. Continue Reading
Testers add this new skill to your repertoire: chaos engineering

Software testers just want to just focus on the application. But networks, clouds and other things can break your software too. Gerie Owen explains how chaos engineering can help. Continue Reading
What does it take to be a software testing mentor?

How do you handle young testers in your organization? Use your experience and flexibility to help grow a new generation of testers who can roll with the changes. Continue Reading

We’ve gathered up expert advice and tips from professionals like you so that the answers you need are always available.

What goes into a user story vs. use case for Agile development?

Developers refer to software requirements to code a good product, but there are different ways to categorize user needs. What's the difference between a user story vs. a use case? Continue Reading
Learn how to improve software quality with reverse-engineering

Customer complaints about a team's app can contain insight on how to improve it. Yet, to decipher the actual cause of any problem and a change to fix it, QA needs to be brought in. Continue Reading
Checklist for mobile app testing: 12 gaps to look out for

Emulators and automation tools are useful, but don't rely on them solely. Use this checklist for mobile app testing to ensure that software has no critical flaws. Continue Reading