Scripted Testing – How is it different from Exploratory Testing?

In software testing, there are two approaches that are popular and widely used- Scripted testing and exploratory testing. In this tutorial, we will first discuss scripted testing. Then look at some important differences between both approaches.

In traditional software development methodology, testing is a separate phase that does not overlap with any other phases. For example, in the waterfall model, once the development phase ends, the testing phase starts.

In such methodologies, the testing team prepares the documents required in the testing process before the testing phase begins. And then performs the testing with the help of these documents. This approach i.e. planning and preparing testing documents before the actual testing is also used in today’s modern methodologies such as RAD and it is known as scripted testing.

What is Scripted Testing?

Scripted testing is an approach where the testing team sticks to the script that consists of test cases and detailed steps. The testing team follows these written test cases and executes them and tries to find any bugs in the system.

In scripted testing, the testing team prepares various documents such as test plan, test case specification, and many others based on the requirements specification. The main goal of scripted testing is to keep the necessary documents ready before the testing process. The testing team should have instructions ready to be followed during the process.

Advantages of Scripted Testing

There are some advantages of using the scripted testing approach and they are explained below.

• The test cases are designed based on the requirements specification. This helps in covering all the features or functionalities of the system mentioned in the requirements document.
• Test cases designed by any individual can be used by other team members, too.
• Tracing the test cases to requirements becomes easier as test cases are designed after referring to the requirements specification.
• For complex applications such as finance-related applications where many business rules are involved, proper planning is required before the testing process starts. Scripted testing is a helpful approach for such applications.
• Creating automation scripts for automation testing based on the test cases is easier.
• While creating the test cases, the testing team can get an overall understanding and the working of the system. This will help them in looking at the big picture and testing the system efficiently.
• If some requirements are missing from the requirements specification, then the same can be identified while designing the test cases.
• Scripted testing can be helpful to those testers who do not have enough domain knowledge to test the system on their own.
• It is useful when repeatability is involved i.e. certain scenarios need to be tested again.

Disadvantages of Scripted Testing

Apart from some advantages mentioned in the above section. This approach has some disadvantages.

• Those scenarios that have not been covered in test case documentation might be missed during the testing process. This is because the testers are supposed to follow the test script.
• Designing test plans and test cases, or any other testing documents, is a time-consuming process. It may not be suitable for projects where quick and rapid deliveries are expected.
• If requirements are not clear or incomplete, creating efficient test cases beforehand is not possible.

Difference between Scripted and Exploratory Testing

Exploratory testing is a testing approach where testers test the system while exploring it on the fly without any test documents to refer to.

In this testing, unlike scripted testing, test design, and test execution take place parallelly without any planning. Exploratory testing is mainly useful in projects where rapid deliveries are expected, and frequent changes are integrated.

In such projects, there may not be enough time to create testing documents. And testers may need to test the system frequently and quickly.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to two testing approaches i.e. scripted testing and exploratory testing. There have been many experiments to decide which of the approaches is best.

Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. It should be management’s decision when it comes to choosing any one of them. This decision is made based on the nature of the application and development methodology being used.

In this section, we will look at some of the differences between scripted testing and exploratory testing.

Scripted testing vs Exploratory testing

Conclusion

A scripted testing approach is one where the testing team has to prepare formal test documents before starting the actual testing. It is a time-consuming process. But at the same time, it gives maximum test coverage. In exploratory testing, testers do not have any formal documentation. They test the system based on their domain knowledge and analytical skills.

Both approaches are useful depending upon the project. The perfect idea for the successful testing process is to use both approaches. One of the ways of mixing both approaches is to perform exploratory testing along with keeping track of what was tested and preparing a detailed bug report.

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