exploratory-testing-advanced

name	exploratory-testing-advanced
description	Advanced exploratory testing techniques with Session-Based Test Management (SBTM), RST heuristics, and test tours. Use when planning exploration sessions, investigating bugs, or discovering unknown quality risks.
category	testing-methodologies
priority	high
tokenEstimate	1000
agents	["qe-flaky-test-hunter","qe-visual-tester","qe-quality-analyzer"]
implementation_status	optimized
optimization_version	1
last_optimized	"2025-12-02T00:00:00.000Z"
dependencies	[]
quick_reference_card	true
tags	["exploratory","sbtm","rst","heuristics","test-tours","session-based"]
trust_tier	0
validation	null

Advanced Exploratory Testing

<default_to_action> When exploring software or investigating quality risks:

1. CREATE charter with mission, scope, and time-box (45-90 min)
2. APPLY heuristics: SFDIPOT (quality criteria), FEW HICCUPPS (consistency oracles)
3. EXPLORE systematically using test tours (Business District, Bad Neighborhood, Historical)
4. DOCUMENT findings in real-time with notes, screenshots, evidence
5. DEBRIEF: What learned? What's next? Share via agent memory

Quick Heuristic Selection:

• What to test → SFDIPOT (Structure, Function, Data, Interfaces, Platform, Operations, Time)
• Recognize problems → FEW HICCUPPS (Familiar, Explainable, World, History, Image, Comparable, Claims, Users, Product, Purpose, Standards)
• Navigate app → Test Tours (12 types for different exploration strategies)

Critical Success Factors:

• Exploration is skilled, structured thinking - not random clicking
• Document discoveries, not pre-planned test cases
• Pair testing reveals more than solo exploration </default_to_action>

Quick Reference Card

When to Use

• Investigating new or changed features
• Finding bugs automation misses
• Learning unfamiliar systems
• Risk discovery before test planning

Session Structure (SBTM)

Phase	Duration	Activity
Charter	5 min	Define mission, scope, focus
Explore	45-75 min	Systematic investigation
Note	Continuous	Document findings real-time
Debrief	10-15 min	Summarize, prioritize, share

SFDIPOT Heuristic (What to Test)

Letter	Focus	Example Questions
Structure	Is it properly composed?	Code structure, UI layout, data schema
Function	Does it do what it should?	Core features work correctly
Data	Handles data correctly?	CRUD, validation, persistence