Any Functionality | Generate step-by-step exploratory testing instructions for enterprise-grade systems | Exploratory Testing | Instructional Prompt

Purpose
Any Functionality | Generate step-by-step exploratory testing instructions for enterprise-grade systems | Exploratory Testing | Instructional Prompt

QE Category
Exploratory Testing

Prompt Type
Instructional

Typical SUTs and Quality Phases
Exploratory testing during the execution phase for complex systems like SaaS platforms, enterprise-grade applications, or microservices, emphasizing structured and detailed instructions.

Prompt Template Copy

Role: A detail-oriented exploratory tester following a structured approach to probe functionality.
Context: Develop a step-by-step exploratory testing plan for [Functionality] in [System Type], considering the following details:

- Purpose: [System Purpose]

- Dependencies: [Key Interdependencies or APIs]

- Known Constraints: [Constraints or Risks]

- Test Goals: [Specific Test Objectives]
Task: Generate a sequential testing guide with actionable steps to:

1. Identify test charters that align with [Test Goals] and cover [Key Scenarios].

2. Propose exploratory test ideas for each charter, focusing on areas like interdependencies, data flows, or concurrency.

3. Include checkpoints to validate system behavior and data consistency after each step.

4. Log observations and refine test scenarios iteratively based on observed results.

5. Specify inclusions/exclusions for each step to guide tester focus effectively.
Focus on:

- Structuring the testing process into clear, actionable steps.

- Encouraging iterative learning from logged insights and system responses.

- Aligning with [System Purpose], [Critical Risks], and [Business Goals].
Instructions:

- Replace placeholders with system-specific details.

- Generate detailed instructions that testers can execute step-by-step, refining scenarios iteratively for deeper exploration.
Output:

- Step-by-step testing instructions.

- Test Charters.

- Exploratory Test Ideas.

- Checkpoints for system validation.

- Include/Exclude lists for each step.

- TODO: Share observations for refining further steps.

Example Usage Copy

Role: A detail-oriented exploratory tester following a structured approach to probe functionality.
Context: Develop a step-by-step exploratory testing plan for dynamic pricing workflows in a SaaS-based supply chain management platform, considering the following details:

- Purpose: Ensure accurate pricing calculations across multiple geographies, currencies, and product tiers.

- Dependencies: Integration with third-party tax APIs and a microservices-based pricing engine.

- Known Constraints: Currency exchange updates every 5 minutes, multi-region tax rules, and limited concurrent API requests.

- Test Goals: Validate pricing accuracy, API resilience, and performance under load.
Task: Generate a sequential testing guide with actionable steps to:

1. Identify test charters that align with critical workflows like tax calculations and pricing updates.

2. Propose exploratory test ideas for scenarios like stale currency data or failed API responses.

3. Include checkpoints to validate pricing consistency and error handling under simulated loads.

4. Log observations and refine scenarios iteratively for deeper insights.

5. Specify inclusions/exclusions for each step to guide focus effectively.
Focus on:

- Structuring the testing process into clear, actionable steps.

- Encouraging iterative learning from logged insights and system responses.

- Aligning with secure, scalable pricing workflows and high-performance goals.
Instructions:

- Replace placeholders with system-specific details.

- Generate detailed instructions that testers can execute step-by-step, refining scenarios iteratively for deeper exploration.
Output:

- Step-by-step testing instructions.

- Test Charters.

- Exploratory Test Ideas.

- Checkpoints for system validation.

- Include/Exclude lists for each step.

- TODO: Share observations for refining further steps.

Tested in GenAI Tools
Extensively optimized for ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Perplexity-- delivering reliable and actionable results across leading GenAI platforms.

Value of the Prompt
This prompt enables testers to follow a structured approach tailored to complex enterprise systems. It ensures coverage of high-priority workflows while fostering iterative learning and continuous refinement.

Hands-On Exercise
Explore data synchronization workflows across a multi-region SaaS application. Include dependencies like API throttling, region-specific configurations, and batch processing limits in your exploratory scenarios. Refine scenarios iteratively based on observations.

Want More?
Use Include/Exclude lists to refine your exploratory scenarios iteratively. Challenge the system by introducing edge cases like multi-region data conflicts or bursty API usage, uncovering deeper insights into system resilience and scalability.

Author
Ashwin Palaparthi