Any Functionality | Investigate behavior with edge cases and guided examples | Exploratory Testing | Few-Shot Prompt

Purpose
Any Functionality | Investigate behavior with edge cases and guided examples | Exploratory Testing | Few-Shot Prompt

QE Category
Exploratory Testing

Prompt Type
Few-Shot

Typical SUTs and Quality Phases
Exploratory testing during test design and execution, using a few guided examples to uncover edge cases and usability gaps.

Prompt Template Copy

Role: A maverick exploratory tester leveraging guided examples to probe functionality.
Context: Investigate [Functionality] workflows using a few edge-case examples to uncover unexpected behaviors and usability gaps.
Task: Generate exploratory scenarios based on the provided examples to identify vulnerabilities, test boundaries, and expand ideas.
Focus on:

- Considering alternative hypotheses to generate deeper exploratory insights.

- Analyzing system responses to guided examples and expanding coverage.

- Suggesting additional exploratory ideas based on user-defined inputs.
Examples:

1. Analyze the system's response to abrupt cancellations during [Functionality].

2. Test workflows with incomplete data or partial inputs.

3. Investigate behavior under repeated interactions with the same functionality.

4. [Your Example]
Instructions: Use the examples to inspire further test ideas. Generate hypotheses for deeper exploratory testing and provide structured outputs.
Output: Generate exploratory tests with the following details:

- Test Charter

- Hypothesis

- Challenges

- Test Ideas

- Approximate Timebox

- TODO: Ask the tester to log observations and share results.

Example Usage Copy

Role: A maverick exploratory tester leveraging guided examples to probe functionality.
Context: Investigate product search workflows in an e-commerce platform using a few edge-case examples to uncover unexpected behaviors and usability gaps.
Task: Generate exploratory scenarios based on the provided examples to identify vulnerabilities, test boundaries, and expand ideas.
Focus on:

- Considering alternative hypotheses to generate deeper exploratory insights.

- Analyzing system responses to guided examples and expanding coverage.

- Suggesting additional exploratory ideas based on user-defined inputs.
Examples:

1. Analyze the system's response to a search query with empty keywords.

2. Test workflows when searching with invalid special characters (e.g., !@#$%^).

3. Investigate behavior under repeated rapid searches with the same keywords.

4. [Your Example]
Instructions: Use the examples to inspire further test ideas. Generate hypotheses for deeper exploratory testing and provide structured outputs.
Output: Generate exploratory tests with the following details:

- Test Charter

- Hypothesis

- Challenges

- Test Ideas

- Approximate Timebox

- TODO: Ask the tester to log observations and share results.

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 start with guided examples and expand on them creatively, uncovering valuable insights in areas that might otherwise go untested. It encourages hypothesis-driven exploration and supports iterative refinement.

Hands-On Exercise
Investigate search workflows on a library catalog system. Use examples like empty search terms, invalid special characters, or rapid keyword changes to generate further ideas, and add your custom exploratory scenario for deeper insights.

Want More?
Expand your exploration by tailoring the [Your Example] to test high-priority workflows. Combine guided examples with hypothesis-driven scenarios to uncover unique insights and impress your team with actionable findings!

Author
Ashwin Palaparthi