Ad-hoc vs. Exploratory Testing
Submitted by Antony Marcano on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 13:47.
exploratory testing
In various discussions I've been having lately I've tried to help people distinguish between ad-hoc testing (or as some people say - having a play) and exploratory testing...
Ad-hoc testing in comparison to exploratory testing is like the difference between someone who only runs when they are late for their train and a professional athlete that competes in 100 metre sprints.
The person that runs for the bus simply runs instinctively - yet the professional athlete, with the sports-science consultant, studies ways to optimise their running, trains and practices to improve both their power and technique (such as with the Pose method).
The minute you even read about exploratory testing, you are stepping away from ad-hoc (having a play) testing. The mere fact that you appreciate that it isn't only instinctive but realise that there is a method to what may at a glance seem easy to do is the day you are no longer just "having a play".
Ad-hoc testing in comparison to exploratory testing is like the difference between someone who only runs when they are late for their train and a professional athlete that competes in 100 metre sprints.
The person that runs for the bus simply runs instinctively - yet the professional athlete, with the sports-science consultant, studies ways to optimise their running, trains and practices to improve both their power and technique (such as with the Pose method).
The minute you even read about exploratory testing, you are stepping away from ad-hoc (having a play) testing. The mere fact that you appreciate that it isn't only instinctive but realise that there is a method to what may at a glance seem easy to do is the day you are no longer just "having a play".