Exploratory Testing in Tosca: How It Works

In the world of software testing, exploratory testing stands out as a powerful approach to uncover hidden bugs, usability issues, and unexpected behaviors in an application. While traditional test cases follow predefined steps, exploratory testing relies on the tester's experience, creativity, and instinct. Tricentis Tosca, a leading test automation tool, supports exploratory testing in a structured and efficient way. In this blog, we’ll explore what exploratory testing is and how it works within the Tosca environment.


What is Exploratory Testing?

Exploratory testing is an unscripted and adaptive approach where testers simultaneously learn about the application, design tests, and execute them. It is especially useful when:

  • Requirements are incomplete or evolving.
  • Quick feedback is needed.
  • You want to validate user experience (UX) or business flows.

Instead of rigid test cases, testers explore the application in real-time, making decisions based on the behavior they observe.


Why Use Exploratory Testing in Tosca?

Tricentis Tosca enhances exploratory testing by capturing test sessions, logging user actions, and generating documentation automatically. This brings structure and repeatability to an otherwise informal process. Tosca’s exploratory testing capabilities are integrated with Tricentis qTest, making it easier for teams to collaborate, track coverage, and report issues.

Key benefits include:

  • Real-time tracking of test sessions.
  • Automatic documentation of user actions.
  • Easy creation of reusable test cases from exploratory sessions.
  • Integration with defect management tools.


How Exploratory Testing Works in Tosca

Tosca enables exploratory testing through Session-Based Test Management (SBTM). Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:

1. Create a Test Mission

In Tosca or qTest, testers start by creating a test mission—a clear objective that guides the session. For example, “Explore the checkout process for edge case scenarios.”

This mission helps keep the testing focused while still allowing flexibility.


2. Start the Exploratory Session

Once the mission is defined, the tester launches the exploratory testing session. Tosca begins recording the tester’s actions, including:

  • Clicks and input fields
  • Navigated screens
  • Application responses
  • Screenshots at key moments

This real-time recording is crucial for traceability and post-session analysis.


3. Explore the Application

The tester navigates through the application based on their knowledge and curiosity. Unlike scripted tests, the flow is not fixed. The tester may try unexpected inputs, combinations, or paths to uncover issues.

If a bug is found, it can be documented instantly with screenshots and logs. Tosca can also log defects directly into tools like JIRA, saving time.


4. Annotate and Analyze

During or after the session, testers can annotate the recorded steps, mark defects, and highlight unusual behaviors. This makes it easier for developers or other team members to understand what was tested and what needs attention.


5. Generate Test Cases

One of Tosca’s most powerful features is the ability to convert exploratory sessions into automated test cases. This allows teams to reuse test flows for regression testing or further refinement.


Best Practices for Exploratory Testing in Tosca

  • Define clear test missions to stay focused.
  • Use time-boxed sessions to manage effort.
  • Collaborate with domain experts for deeper insights.
  • Regularly review and refine recorded sessions.
  • Convert valuable test flows into reusable test cases.


Conclusion

Exploratory testing in Tosca offers the best of both worlds: the freedom and creativity of manual exploration, combined with the structure and repeatability of automation. By recording actions, generating reports, and enabling test case creation, Tosca transforms exploratory testing into a powerful, trackable, and reusable asset. If your team is looking to enhance quality while staying agile, integrating exploratory testing in your Tosca strategy is a smart move.

Learn Tosca Training in Hyderabad
Read More : Tosca Requirements Management Integration

Visit IHUB Talent training institute Hyderabad
Get Direction

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Use Tosca's Test Configuration Parameters

Tosca by Tricentis is a powerful model-based test automation tool widely used in enterprise environments for end-to-end testing. One of its most useful features is Test Configuration Parameters (TCPs), which provide flexibility and control in managing test execution. TCPs enable testers to create reusable test cases by passing dynamic values without hardcoding them. This significantly enhances test maintenance, scalability, and efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore what Test Configuration Parameters are, how to create and use them, and the best practices to follow when working with TCPs in Tosca. What Are Test Configuration Parameters? Test Configuration Parameters are custom-defined key-value pairs that can be associated with test cases, test case folders, or execution lists in Tosca. They help manage configuration data such as environment URLs, browser types, credentials, or any other variable data that may differ across test runs. By using TCPs, you can avoid duplicating test case...
Read more

Tosca Licensing: Types and Considerations

 Tosca by Tricentis is a widely used, enterprise-level automation testing tool known for its model-based approach, scriptless testing, and support for a wide range of applications (web, desktop, mobile, API, etc.). As organizations look to implement Tosca into their quality assurance processes, one of the key areas to understand is its licensing model. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of Tosca licenses, key considerations for choosing the right license, and best practices to manage licensing efficiently within your test automation ecosystem. 🔑 Why Licensing Matters in Tosca Tosca is a commercial tool, and proper licensing is crucial to access its full range of capabilities, manage costs, scale efficiently, and remain compliant with Tricentis’s usage policies. The right licensing setup ensures that testers and teams can collaborate effectively without disruptions due to access or resource limitations. 📌 Types of Tosca Licenses Tricentis offers several licensing types ...
Read more

Using Hibernate ORM for Fullstack Java Data Management

In the world of fullstack Java development, managing data efficiently and seamlessly across the application is critical. One of the most powerful tools in the Java ecosystem for handling database operations is Hibernate ORM (Object-Relational Mapping). Hibernate simplifies the interaction between Java applications and relational databases, reducing boilerplate code and improving maintainability. This blog explores how Hibernate ORM works, why it’s widely used, and how it fits into the data management strategy of a fullstack Java application. What is Hibernate ORM? Hibernate ORM is an open-source Java framework that provides a powerful and flexible mechanism for mapping Java objects to database tables. It abstracts the low-level JDBC code, allowing developers to work with high-level object-oriented concepts. Instead of writing raw SQL queries, Hibernate allows developers to define database interactions using simple Java classes (also known as POJOs) and annotations or XML configurations...
Read more