Investigating the Use of Initial Plans for Exploratory Tests

This article addresses topics related to exploratory testing (ET) and its application methods. Typically, during ET, there is no requirement to follow a script, as it involves free navigation within the software. A challenge for users with limited experience in defect detection is the lack of an initial plan for conducting ET. The main objective of this article is to propose the use of initial plans for users with limited experience in conducting ET to aid in defect detection in the software. The proposed method consists of two phases: (i) analysis of applicability and identification of alternative approaches for initial plans alongside ET, and (ii) administration of a survey with professionals in the testing area to observe their perception of the use of initial plans alongside ET. It is expected that with the alternative initial plans mentioned in this article, the process of conducting ET will be facilitated, especially for users with limited testing experience.