This is the future of testing if you ask me. I am very happy to see the number of testers in Sweden standing up saying that Exploratory testing was the solution to their testing problems. For the first time we have a true exploratory peer conference called SWET - Swedish Exploratory Testers in October 2010. The attending people have all tried Rapid Testing according to the context-driven school and gotten hooked. Now you have the chance to listen to what James has to say. It may confuse you, bother you, amuse you. I am pretty sure it will make you think about what you are doing. To me it is much more than just testing - it is about thinking, problem solving, questioning and philosophy.
After a long and cold winter this is the chance for you to collect energy and get a boost before summer. Join the context-driven community!
"I am very happy to see the number of testers in Sweden standing up saying that Exploratory testing was the solution to their testing problems."
What were their problems?
All of them were solved by Exploratory testing?
Tobbe>> I will keep it short: mainly it was about changing from heavy processes, heavy documentation often in the form of very detailed procedural test cases to Test ideas, charters and Session-based testing. All this while making sure that they can always answer the questions: What have you done, what have you found? Some have changed to doing only exploratory testing but most still have som scrited test cases. Earlier they say they had no chance in coping with rapidly changing requirements - now they do. They find more problems faster.
All problems solved? Well, there are no silver bullets!
If you want to read more try http://www.thetesteye.com . That is where I and some colleagues blog about testing.