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Explore It! summary
Brief summary
Explore It! by Elisabeth Hendrickson is a guide to effective exploratory testing. It provides practical techniques for uncovering hidden risks and finding valuable information about your software.
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Table of Contents
Explore It!
Summary of key ideas
Understanding Exploratory Testing
In Explore It!, Elisabeth Hendrickson provides a comprehensive guide to exploratory testing, a software testing approach that emphasizes personal freedom and responsibility for the tester. She begins by explaining the importance of exploratory testing in identifying crucial bugs and issues that traditional testing methods might miss. She advocates for the use of exploration charters, which are mission statements for testing activities, to guide and document the process.
Hendrickson also introduces the concept of the 'testing tour', which involves exploring the software from different perspectives. She emphasizes the value of mixing scripted and exploratory testing, as they can complement each other, and explains how exploratory testing can be effectively used in agile development environments.
Building Essential Skills
The author then delves into the skills required for successful exploratory testing. She discusses the importance of observing the software's behavior, generating test ideas, and effectively managing time and focus. She also introduces the concept of the 'power of three', which suggests that three different people, with different skills and perspectives, should engage in exploratory testing to ensure a more comprehensive approach.
Furthermore, Hendrickson highlights the significance of recognizing and managing biases in testing, as well as the importance of understanding the software's context and its users. She also provides guidance on how to report and document the findings of exploratory testing in a way that is both clear and actionable.
Advanced Techniques and Strategies
In the latter part of Explore It!, Hendrickson introduces advanced techniques and strategies for exploratory testing. She discusses testing heuristics, which are rules of thumb or guidelines that help testers identify test conditions and test ideas. She also explores the concept of test framing, which involves determining the scope and focus of testing activities.
Moreover, she emphasizes the value of risk-based testing, where the focus is on testing the most critical areas of the software. She also provides insights into how to manage test data effectively, and how to deal with the challenges posed by complex and distributed systems.
Integrating Exploratory Testing into Development
Concluding the book, Hendrickson discusses the integration of exploratory testing into the development process. She advocates for testing early and often, and for using exploratory testing to drive development and design decisions. She also emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture that values and supports exploratory testing.
In summary, Explore It! offers a comprehensive and practical guide to exploratory testing. It not only provides a detailed understanding of the approach but also equips testers with essential skills and advanced techniques to effectively apply exploratory testing in their software testing endeavors.
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What is Explore It! about?
Explore It! by Elisabeth Hendrickson is a practical guide to exploratory testing in software development. The book provides a comprehensive framework for conducting effective exploratory testing, emphasizing the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. With real-world examples and actionable tips, it equips readers with the necessary skills to uncover hidden defects and improve the overall quality of their software.
Explore It! Review
Explore It! (2013) by Elisabeth Hendrickson is a practical guide to effective software testing methods. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers hands-on techniques for improving software testing processes, ensuring high-quality results.
- Emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in testing, enhancing overall test effectiveness.
- With its real-world examples and practical strategies, the book makes exploring the world of software testing anything but dull.
Who should read Explore It!?
Software testers and quality assurance professionals looking to improve their testing techniques
Developers who want to gain a deeper understanding of how their software behaves in different scenarios
Project managers and team leads interested in promoting a culture of continuous learning and exploration within their teams
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Explore It! FAQs
What is the main message of Explore It!?
The main message of Explore It! is embracing continuous testing and exploration for software success.
How long does it take to read Explore It!?
It generally takes a few hours to read Explore It!. The Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.
Is Explore It! a good book? Is it worth reading?
Explore It! is a must-read for software professionals, providing practical insights into testing strategies.
Who is the author of Explore It!?
The author of Explore It! is Elisabeth Hendrickson.
What to read after Explore It!?
If you're wondering what to read next after Explore It!, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Big Data by Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Kenneth Cukier
- Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
- On Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins and Sandra Blakeslee
- Brave New War by John Robb
- Abundance# by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler
- The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver
- You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier
- The Future of the Mind by Michio Kaku
- The Second Machine Age by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee
- Out of Control by Kevin Kelly