Sometimes having no plan sounds like a good plan too. When it comes to software development and testing, having no plan seems like a great plan to cause more nightmares. But, but, you can find a few things in testing that ought to be done without a plan. Yes, you heard us right. One such thing is Adhoc Testing. Doesn’t it sound fabulous already? Well, yeah, let’s get to know a bit more about it by learning its details up close. In this blog, we’ll know about the notability of Adhoc testing in the software industry comprehensively. So, let’s get going, folks!
What is Adhoc Testing?
It’s an informal type of software testing that seeks to break the testing process down to detect issues early. In other words, it’s a very random test that doesn’t require any pre-planned test design to make test cases or documentation; instead, it’s an accidental and spontaneous step.
- No. 1 learning is, Adhoc testing is random testing that doesn’t possess a plan or a particular structure.
- Although, there is a technique involved in it called Error Guessing, which again wouldn’t require you a plan to do so.
- You can have a bunch of experienced people or a person to guess what could potentially cause the errors or the source of the issue.
- Since it finds issues through a unique random approach, the defects are not mapped to the test cases.
When is the right time to execute Adhoc Testing?
You may think that Adhoc is such a random test, so it doesn’t matter when you perform it. But, let’s talk about the reality; actually, there is a good time for it to be implemented. You can introduce it to the process when you have limited time to do elaborative testing. Adhoc Testing is more effective when that person has good familiarity with the software (under testing) and doing the job for you.
Now, let’s also know about its types, so, further, you can effortlessly choose the one that suits your testing practices. Or try even combinations to discover new things on your own. (because that’s what random things are for!)
Types of Adhoc Testing:
We have listed out a few Adhoc Testing types and examples. Look below to learn more.
1. Buddy Testing:
The word ‘buddy’ is a good hint that indicates mutuality. Two people usually carry out this test—one from the development team and the other from the testing team. Through this type of Adhoc Testing, a tester would develop good test cases, and the developer can make better design changes, both doing these essentials mutually as early as possible. And the best time to take it up is after the completion of Unit Testing.
2. Pair Testing:
Two testers can take up this Adhoc Testing type, share ideas, and work on the same machines to detect the issues. If one person executes the test cases, the other person can make notes on the interesting findings. It is different from Pair Testing. In Pair Testing, only testers are involved with varying levels of knowledge, unlike Buddy Testing. (ideally a pair of an experienced and a non-experienced one)
3. Monkey Testing:
It is carried to break or crash the system. It is done to check the behavior (whether it will clash or not) of the software by intentionally providing the wrong inputs. It is often just automated, or you can use the written scripts that generate some inputs. It works effectively in the load or stress testing of an application by giving continuous random inputs.
Best Practices in Adhoc Testing
We have discussed so much about the definition of Adhoc Testing and its types. Let’s now emphasize the best practices of this software technique to achieve even better results. We have mentioned a few best practices down below.
1. Excellent business knowledge
Whether you are a tester or developer doing the Adhoc Testing, you have to have the good business knowledge to understand the real effects of Adhoc Testing. Likewise, understanding the end-to-end business process will help you find the issues quickly. (because you already know what makes a good business and what doesn’t)
2. Focus and test the key modules
When approaching this method, do remember to focus on the business-critical modules because they need to be tested first. First, identify these modules and then target them all for Adhoc Testing for better system quality.
3. Record the issues
It is one of the best practices to note down the findings and especially the defects. These defects are then added to the issue tracking tool. And following the same, the developer has to look into the issues to fix them. For every (valid) defect, must create a test case. Now, every defect is a lesson. These issues should reflect some value the next time while planning for test cases.
Can you do anything to make Adhoc Testing more effective?
Yes!
1. Divide and conquer:
Divide the parts of the software and test them piece by piece. Like this, you’ll have a steady focus and better testing.
2. Use good tools:
Using tools makes the job even easier, tools like debuggers, task monitors, and more. So, trying new tools and updating your proficiency in them is always a good idea.
3. Benefits of using Adhoc Testing:
There are so many benefits of implementing the technique, and we have mentioned a few for your reference. There can be more benefits other than these. You’ll know, discover more, and learn more when you try it by yourself.
- The best advantage of implementing Adhoc Testing is the correctness and completeness of testing (while you effectively work through all the defects even better than the planned testing).
- It doesn’t require any documentation or planning, and safe to call it ‘going with your gut feeling.’
- It is time-effective as well as efficient.
- It doesn’t cost you a lot of money.
- It helps testers to enhance their testing processes.
Folks, we hope you like the article. If yes, then do keep in touch. Everything is simple around here, starting from our tool to our content; simplicity is the best. We publish such interesting topics in and around development and testing every week. And, in a way, contribute to the testing community. If you want to encourage us, then be part of our social media and enjoy the education via entertainment.
