slug: exploratory-testing
title: "Exploratory Testing — Structured Discovery of Bugs"
version: 1.0.0
description: "Learn session-based exploratory testing, test charters, and heuristics to find bugs systematically."
category: quality-assurance
tags: [exploratory-testing, manual-testing, bug-hunting, quality, test-charters]
difficulty: intermediate

xp:
  read: 15
  walkthrough: 40
  exercise: 25
  quiz: 20
  quiz-perfect-bonus: 10

time:
  quick: 5
  read: 20
  guided: 50

prerequisites: [test-strategy]
related: [debugging-systematically, accessibility-fundamentals]

triggers:
  - "What is exploratory testing?"
  - "How do I find bugs without a test plan?"
  - "What are test charters?"
  - "How do I do structured manual testing?"

visuals:
  diagrams: [diagram-flow, diagram-mermaid]
  quiz-types: [quiz-drag-order, quiz-timed-choice]
  slides: true

sources:
  - url: "https://www.amazon.com/Explore-It-Reduce-Risk-Exploratory/dp/1937785025"
    label: "Explore It! by Elisabeth Hendrickson (book)"
    type: book
  - url: "https://www.satisfice.com/download/session-based-test-management"
    label: "Session-Based Test Management (James Bach)"
    type: docs