A Brief Guide to Ad Hoc and Exploratory Testing

Manual QA testing services are all about structure, discipline, and scrutiny. Or are they? Let’s dig into the depth of the QA sandbox and see what else is there.

Some software testing is done without thorough planning or documentation. You may consider it an odd spin on QA services or a long-awaited bit of freedom. What we’ll talk about today meets somewhere in the middle. It may sound like ad hoc and exploratory testing services indeed prioritize creativity, but they also require expertise and determination, thus, becoming a trial for your skills.

What Is Ad Hoc Testing?

Ad hoc testing is performed without any specific plan or formal structure. It involves an improvised approach where QA specialists explore the software system. Thus freely looking for defects and unexpected behavior.

Simply put, imagine you have a new app on your phone. And instead of following predefined steps to test it, you decide to “play around.” You click on different buttons, enter various inputs, and try atypical/unanticipated actions to see what it all does.

Ad Hoc = Breaking the System?

You may often hear that ad hoc is about “breaking the system.” This is because it capitalizes on random and negative testing approaches. And one of the goals is to uncover any issues that might arise from unconventional operations. So, this is where the saying comes from. Seeing where the app under testing fails lets QA engineers locate deep-level errors.

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When to Run Ad Hoc Testing?

Generally, ad hoc testing takes place after the main test suite, hence ensuring that prior testing is complete, and helps determine the effectiveness of past checks. But some situations may shift this timeline.

Usability Testing

Ad hoc testing is valuable for evaluating software’s user-friendliness and intuitiveness. Casual interactions and flowing actions allow for assessing how easily users can navigate and accomplish tasks.

Bug Triaging

Ad hoc testing is frequent when triaging bugs. Here, it leads to quick issue reproduction and on-the-spot testing to gather more information on the problems.

Time Constraints

Ad hoc is efficient with time constraints or limited resources. It becomes a fast way of identifying critical defects or high-risk areas.

Early Testing

Ad hoc testing can occur in the early stages of development when formal test cases aren’t available. It helps determine basic functional issues and get initial feedback on the software.

Unconventional Scenarios

Ad hoc testing is useful when testing unconventional or edge cases that formal tests can’t cover. QA engineers can think creatively and try out unusual scenarios, locating possible deviations.

Rapid Feedback

Ad hoc testing can provide quick feedback when time is limited, or software behavior needs primary analysis. Ad hoc checks enable speedy feedback to developers or stakeholders.

Informal Testing

Ad hoc testing is suitable for informal testing sessions where the primary goal is to explore the software. It is productive in detecting issues that formal settings may not unveil.

Ad hoc testing is surely beneficial. Still, it should not replace formal testing approaches. It works best as an add-on to structured methods.

What Are the Types of Ad Hoc Testing?

Different types of ad hoc testing cater to diverse testing objectives and situations. Each allows employing flexible approaches, examine software from varying perspectives, and uncover obscure defects.

Monkey Testing – Pure Ad Hoc

During monkey testing, QA specialists randomly interact with the software. The priority is inputting diverse values, clicking buttons, and performing actions without following specific formats. And the goal is to assess the software’s stability, robustness, and error-handling capabilities under unpredictable and unexpected inputs.

Monkey testing can help uncover crashes, freezes, memory leaks, or other issues caused by invalid or deviated data.

Buddy Testing – Ideal for DevOps

Buddy testing involves a QA engineer and a developer working as a team. The former actively performs the testing tasks. And the latter provides feedback and suggestions.

Via this match, QA specialists can improve their test case building. While developers can resolve found bugs faster and advance their skills through the “QA view.”

Pair Testing – Knowledge-Sharing Team Up

Pair testing is a symbiotic testing approach where two QA experts work together. Usually, the duo consists of an experienced professional and a beginner. They collaboratively run tests and discuss the outcomes. One QA specialist acts as a guide and mentor, while the the other one is a learner who brings fresh perspectives and ideas.

Pair testing helps identify defects more effectively by combining the expertise and insights of both QA engineers.

What is Exploratory Testing?

Exploratory testing implies QA experts simultaneously learning about the software and designing test cases while executing them. Instead of following predefined test cases or scripts, they use gathered knowledge, experience, and creativity to probe the software.

You can think of exploratory testing as rewriting a personal novel. You know what it’s about. You’ve read many books to produce your own work. And now you’re finalizing the last draft. Relying on prior expertise and imagination, you remove extra adjectives and plot holes. All the while advancing skills for your next story.

When to Run Exploratory Testing?

Exploratory testing can be performed at various stages of the software development lifecycle. It also can complement other testing methodologies.

Early Stage Testing

Exploratory testing can be conducted during the early stages of SDLC when formal test cases aren’t present. QA engineers explore the software to better understand its features, identify risks, and provide insights to improve the project.

User Interface Testing

Exploratory testing is effective for evaluating applications’ UI. QA experts interact with the software, assess its usability, verify the visuals, and uncover issues that may impact UX.

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Regression Testing

Exploratory testing can be useful during regression testing, especially after implementing new features. QA specialists investigate the affected areas to verify that the changes have not introduced any side effects.

Defect Investigation

When a defect is reported or found, exploratory testing can help inspect the issue further. QA professionals study the problem, run checks, and gather information to help developers diagnose and fix the error.

Usability Testing

Exploratory testing is helpful when evaluating the software’s usability and user-friendliness. QA engineers can put themselves in the users’ shoes and provide feedback on areas that may cause confusion, hinder productivity, etc.

New Feature Testing

Exploratory testing helps understand and evaluate new features or functionalities’ behavior. QA experts test different usage scenarios and comment on any issues, inconsistencies, or unexpected outcomes.

Risk-Based Testing

Exploratory testing is often used as part of risk-based testing approaches. QA specialists focus on high-risk areas or critical functions where defects may have severe consequences.

Exploratory testing does not fall on particular SDLC stages. Yet it’s most effective when you understand the application and its context well.

What Are the Types of Exploratory Testing?

The types of exploratory testing offer different approaches based on the level of structure and guidance. Thus allowing choosing the most suitable option based on the objectives and available resources.

Freestyle Testing – Flexibility & Creativity

Freestyle testing is an open-ended approach with the freedom to explore the software without any constraints. QA professionals use their experience and intuition to interact with the product informally. Basically, freestyle exploratory testing is about creativity and swift adaptations.

Scenario-Based Testing – Focus on the Users

Scenario-based testing focuses on testing the software using predefined scenarios or use cases. These simulate real-life situations, covering different workflows, inputs, or interactions. Roaming around these scenarios lets QA engineers evaluate how well the software aligns with expected outcomes.

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Strategy-Based Testing – Directed Effort

Strategy-based testing uses predefined strategies or heuristics to guide the testing process. QA experts follow strategic guidelines to uncover specific defects or center on critical elements. These principles could come from industry best practices, domain knowledge, past experiences, or particular objectives.

What Are the Differences Between Ad Hoc & Exploratory Testing?

Ad hoc testing is spontaneous, has unplanned nature and minimal documentation. On the other hand, exploratory testing is fairly structured. It includes lightweight planning, documentation, and dedicated testing time. Both offer flexibility and creativity in exploring the software but differ in their level of structure and formality.

Test Planning

• Exploratory testing typically involves some test planning, even though it may be “minor” and adaptable. So, there is an idea of the areas to explore, targets to achieve, and potential risks to consider.
• Ad hoc testing, however, lacks formal test planning and relies on spontaneous actions and intuition.

Documentation

• Exploratory testing encourages the documentation of test ideas, observations, and outcomes as testing progresses. It capitalizes on the fact that even brief software testing deliverables are valuable for reporting and future reference.
• Ad hoc testing doesn’t need extensive documentation since it is more about “messing around and finding out.”

Time Allocation

• Exploratory testing typically has a dedicated time slot within the testing process. Namely, QA professionals may set aside specific periods for focused exploration and analysis.
• Ad hoc testing can occur anytime during testing and with other testing activities.

Skill & Experience

• Exploratory testing leverages QA skills and incorporates a more systematic approach to uncover defects and validate software behavior.
• Ad hoc testing relies more on individual expertise, intuition, and improvisation.

What Are the Pros & Cons of Unscripted Testing Techniques?

Not having a plan isn’t always bad. Ultimately, you can breathe out and maybe even have fun. That’s why ad hoc and exploratory testing are so valuable after all.

Pros of Unstructured Testing

• Flexibility. Unscripted testing provides flexibility, permitting to adapt testing approaches based on knowledge, experience, and real-time observations.
• Creativity. Unscripted testing encourages QA engineers to think creatively. They can design unique test scenarios, inputs, and interactions that predefined test cases might not cover.
• Efficient bug detection. Unscripted testing often leads to discovering defects that are not anticipated during formal test planning.
• Learning & exploration. Unscripted testing promotes learning about the software under test. QA specialists can fully grasp the system, its functionalities, and potential risks.

Cons of Unstructured Testing

Remember we mentioned that ad hoc and exploratory testing can’t replace the fundamentals? Well, here are a few reasons for that.

• Lack of coverage. With unscripted testing, there is a risk of missing certain bugs or test scenarios.
• Limited reproducibility. The lack of predefined steps in unscripted testing makes reproducing exact testing conditions more challenging.
• Documentation challenges. Insufficient documentation during unscripted testing can lead to reporting, tracking, and knowledge transfer difficulties.
• Experience dependency. Unscripted testing heavily relies on QA skills, experience, and intuition. Firms with less experienced engineers may face challenges in achieving optimal results.

Skills QA Engineers Should Have Now and in the Future

To Sum Up

Unstructured testing is the ultimate level of QA skill. As ad hoc and exploratory testing motivate you to rely on amassed expertise, they let you explore your own capabilities. “Freestyle” testing is enjoyable. But it is also effortful. Yet, don’t get discouraged. Once you power up your knowledge, running informal tests will feel like an achievement and a reward.

Good luck, and keep learning.