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- What is Ad hoc Testing?
- Characteristics of Ad Hoc Testing
- Types of Ad Hoc Testing
- Exploratory Vs Ad Hoc Testing
- Ad Hoc Testing Advantages
- Limitations of Ad Hoc Testing
- When Not to Use Ad Hoc Testing
- How to Conduct Ad Hoc Testing
- Ad hoc Testing Examples
- Skills for Ad Hoc Testing
- Best Practices to Conduct Ad Hoc Testing
- Test on Real Devices and Browsers with TestGrid
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Before you release an application, you carefully plan your tests, execute them, document the results, and fix bugs, ensuring you’re able to touch all the moving parts of the code.
But what if, soon after the release, your users start experiencing errors you never thought existed in your app?
This happens because we mostly focus on testing expected user journeys. However, actual user interactions are unpredictable, even causing your app to break.
This is where ad hoc testing enters the picture. It allows you to expose hidden defects that structured testing might not be able to uncover.
In this blog, we’ll see what ad hoc testing is, its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and best practices for efficient testing.
What is Ad hoc Testing?
Ad hoc testing is a style of informal software testing that is typically performed without following test design principles and writing test cases. The aim here is to test the features of the software or app to discover potential flaws overlooked during standard testing processes.
In case you don’t find any flaws, the tests are run only once. Testers explore the app intuitively at different phases of the development cycle to identify bugs and errors.
Characteristics of Ad Hoc Testing
- Unstructured
This type of testing follows no predefined test cases or detailed documentation. The process is less systematic but more fluid, allowing you to catch edge cases that formal testing might miss.
- Tester-centric
Ad hoc testing depends almost entirely on the tester’s knowledge of historical patterns to identify the parts in an app most likely to contain defects. The testers think like real users and trigger unexpected events within the app.
- Error guessing
Ad hoc testing is a type of black-box testing. So, you don’t look into the code; rather, you engage with the app’s interface to uncover hidden flaws. It’s a focused trial-and-error process where testers try different approaches, such as deliberately breaking workflows to check how the app handles it.
Types of Ad Hoc Testing
1. Monkey testing
In this type of testing, you randomly interact with the app to uncover potential issues. Test cases are structured and follow a fixed sequence.
But real user behavior can be erratic, such as haphazardly clicking buttons or filling forms with unexpected data. The aim is to push the app to its limit to reveal any defects hiding deep inside that may cause a crash.
2. Buddy testing
This is a collaborative approach where the developer and tester team up to work on a specific module, exchange insights, and identify bugs or defects.
The shared expertise refines test case creation and testing strategies, as well as allows the developer to immediately resolve issues that are detected by the tester. This, in turn, speeds up feedback cycles.
3. Pair testing
In this type, two testers work together in the same environment to examine the app. One of them usually executes test cases, and the other records findings, provides feedback, and suggests additional test scenarios to improve coverage.
Moreover, the collaboration helps identify potential biases and assumptions that one tester might overlook.
Also Read: Fuzz Testing Explained (Benefits, Techniques, and Best Practices)
Exploratory Vs Ad Hoc Testing
| Aspect | Ad hoc testing | Exploratory testing |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Proper documentation is required during or after execution to keep a track of the test cases, test sessions and the defects | Formal testing process where you design, execute, and learn simultaneously |
| Documentation | Minimal documentation; defects are reported and resolved as they occur | Proper documentation is required during or after execution to keep a track of the test cases, test sessions, and the defects |
| Test execution | Testing begins after collecting the necessary test data | Test data collection and test execution can happen simultaneously |
| Time constraint | There’s no specific time for performing adhoc testing; the focus is mainly on finding issues | It typically includes dedicated time-boxed sessions where testers focus on specific charters or objectives |
| Tester expertise | There’s no specific time for performing ad hoc testing; the focus is mainly on finding issues | Informal testing that’s performed without planning and predefined test cases, and mostly relies on the tester’s intuition |
Ad Hoc Testing Advantages
- Flexibility
Because ad hoc testing doesn’t require you to design definite test plans, you can perform it at any given point in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). You can adapt to changing requirements quickly and examine features that have undergone recent code changes, since there are no predefined test cases to follow.
- Early defect detection
Ad-hoc testing in software testing can be performed early in the SDLC, even before formal test plans are created. You can explore app functionalities and user journeys to detect the critical usability issues and defects that traditional testing methods might overlook. This helps you prevent edge cases from slipping into production.
- Improved test coverage
An ad hoc approach complements structured testing methods and helps you improve test coverage. You can run ad hoc tests alongside unit testing, integration testing, or performance testing, to identify potential problem areas and defects these tests can’t catch.
- Resource optimization
Since ad hoc testing doesn’t require documentation, testers don’t need to dedicate time to test planning. Rather, they can focus on understanding the underlying architecture of the app and identify issues before they become complex and expensive to resolve. This testing method can be especially helpful when resources for structured testing are limited.
Limitations of Ad Hoc Testing
- Skill dependence
Ad hoc testing relies heavily on how well the tester knows about the potential failure points of the app. Therefore, testers who don’t have extensive experience might overlook features and functionalities, resulting in inconsistent testing quality.
- Insufficient exit criteria
Since ad hoc tests are not scripted, it might be difficult to define clear exit criteria during testing. This lack of clarity on when the testing must end can interfere with project timelines and deliverables.
- Limited testing metrics
Due to a lack of proper documentation, you might find it tough to track progress, identify patterns, and keep track of what’s being tested.
- Difficult to scale
Since ad hoc tests are mainly manual, as features and updates increase, testers might find it challenging to keep pace. This might lead to gaps in test coverage and missed defects.
- Challenging in highly regulated environments
Industries like healthcare and banking require compliance with multiple laws and guidelines. Therefore, thorough documentation and verification of data are critical. Ad hoc testing might not meet these strict standards.
When Not to Use Ad Hoc Testing
Ad hoc testing does offer flexibility and efficiency, but not for every scenario. Knowing when to opt out is critical for maintaining the integrity of your testing strategy.
Here are some of the situations where ad hoc testing might not be the best possible approach:
| Situation | Explanation |
|---|---|
| During beta testing with clients | Beta testing collects feedback from real users who test the app and provide suggestions for new features or changes in requirements. This process requires clear objectives and structured documentation to ensure feedback is addressed systematically. |
| When testing new UI elements | Ad hoc testing may not be effective if your testing team lacks comprehensive knowledge of the app. Identifying complex and subtle issues can be challenging without expertise. |
| Lack of expert knowledge | Performing ad hoc testing in test cases that already have errors can result in false positives. Therefore, defective test cases must be documented and fixed before adhoc testing to ensure reliable results. |
| On defective test cases | Performing ad hoc testing in test cases that already have errors can result in false positives. Therefore, defective test cases must be documented and fixed before ad hoc testing to ensure reliable results. |
How to Conduct Ad Hoc Testing
| Steps | How to Perform |
|---|---|
| Define test objectives | Set a clear testing goal. Determine whether you’re targeting specific defects, evaluating usability, or exploring the app to find issues. |
| Set up test environment | Configure the test environment to replicate real-world scenarios as closely as possible. Ensure availability of necessary tools, such as defect tracking or API testing tools, multiple browsers and devices, and test data for accurate results. |
| Start exploring the app with realistic scenarios | Interact with the app as an actual user would. Check the features, menus, and workflows to uncover usability issues or broken links. |
| Diversify input data | Test the app with varying input data, including valid and invalid inputs like special characters, empty fields, large text strings, and boundary values to check how it handles unpredictability. |
| Focus on critical paths | When you identify a defect, document the steps and environmental conditions that led to the defect, and reproduce it consistently to confirm its existence. This also helps developers replicate the defect and resolve it. |
| Recreate issues | Test the app with varying input data, including valid and invalid inputs like special characters, empty fields, large text strings, and boundary values, to check how it handles unpredictability. |
| Document findings and create reports | Test the paths critical to the app’s core functionality, such as login, checkout, or payment, to assess if these stay stable under expected user inputs. |
Ad hoc Testing Examples
Let’s look at some ad hoc testing examples so you know when and why to apply them:
- Different browser settings
Tweak the browser settings to test how the app responds. For example, disable the JavaScript setting in different browsers to check if the app throws an error.
- Mobile app gestures
Test your app on touchscreens with random swipe, tap, and drag gestures to assess and spot UI/UX issues.
- Stress test features
Interact with the app features randomly, such as submitting multiple forms or opening and closing windows, to identify performance bottlenecks.
- Check navigation
Click through menus and user flows, jump between pages, and hit buttons out of sequence to identify any broken links or unexpected behavior in the app.
Skills for Ad Hoc Testing
For anyone performing ad hoc testing, here are some must-have skills:
- Thorough understanding of the app, including its features, functionalities, and behavior
- Ability to prioritize critical areas such as user workflows or newly added features
- Capacity to think beyond conventional testing scenarios to uncover edge cases
- Experience testing apps by simulating real-world scenarios
- Ability to document observations and log defects
Also Read: Skills Required for Software Testers
Best Practices to Conduct Ad Hoc Testing
- Identify defect areas
Although the ad hoc method is unstructured and doesn’t typically require much preparation, performing a preliminary defect analysis will help you focus on high-risk areas where defects and bugs frequently arise.
This targeted analysis will deepen your understanding of the app’s vulnerabilities and allow you to keep a record of the locations where issues emerge.
- Design a rough plan
Though ad hoc testing doesn’t require formal documentation, creating a basic plan that focuses on specific features will help you target your tests more efficiently and save time. Include the areas that have not been covered by existing test cases or any new features in your outline to enhance test coverage.
- Create test categories
Once you know the functionalities and features of the app you want to test, assign them categories. This will allow you to identify critical defects and ensure no features are overlooked. You can create groups for functional workflows, such as login and checkout, or UI elements like navigation and forms.
- Document your steps
Take a note of the steps you performed during testing, the environment details, scenarios you covered, and the features you tested.
This will serve as a valuable reference for you to revisit specific tests or actions. Keeping records helps refine your testing strategy in the future and enhance existing test cases.
- Record defects
Keep a log of the defects and errors you encounter during testing. The more detailed it is, the better, as it provides you with a reliable reference to address the issues promptly. You can create a more comprehensive defect report and improve the efficiency of the debugging process.
- Consider session testing
Instead of testing all the features simultaneously, allocating dedicated sessions to test the features individually might allow you to focus better on specific issues and enhance problem identification.
Test on Real Devices and Browsers with TestGrid
To ensure your app doesn’t run into unexpected errors, your testing strategy must be foolproof. This means replicating as many real-world scenarios as possible, and on real browsers, operating systems, and devices.
TestGrid is an end-to-end AI-powered test automation platform that lets you test your app on 100+ real Android and iOS devices, hosted on both cloud and on-premise.
With its cross-browser testing feature, you can replicate and validate defects on any browser environment to create a more robust and reliable app.
To see the platform in action, start your free trial with TestGrid today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who performs ad hoc testing?
Any software development team member can perform ad hoc testing, including test engineers, developers, and business analysts. This includes testers or quality assurance personnel who are familiar with the app’s functionality. Developers can perform the test while coding to ensure better code quality.
- Can ad hoc testing be automated?
Some parts of ad hoc testing can be automated to speed up the process and make it more consistent. Automated tools can help you generate clean test data and record ad hoc test sessions, which can be used for documentation and reproduction of defects.
- Why is ad hoc testing important?
Ad hoc testing helps you identify loopholes in your existing testing strategy by revealing gaps in test coverage. You spot integration and usability issues by using out-of-the-box- box testing. Catching missed defects early in the testing cycle helps you prevent costly setbacks.
