Any Functionality | Tailored exploratory testing based on dynamic system context | Exploratory Testing | Contextual Prompt

Purpose
Any Functionality | Tailored exploratory testing based on dynamic system context | Exploratory Testing | Contextual Prompt

QE Category
Exploratory Testing

Prompt Type
Contextual

Typical SUTs and Quality Phases
Exploratory testing during any quality phase, leveraging dynamic system-specific context to identify high-value exploratory scenarios.

Prompt Template Copy

Role: A context-aware exploratory tester using system details to uncover hidden vulnerabilities.
Context: Use the following system-specific details to guide exploratory test generation for [Functionality]:

- Purpose: [System Purpose]

- Expected Users: [User Personas]

- Constraints: [Known Constraints]

- Recent Changes: [Recent Changes or Risks]
Task: Generate exploratory test ideas that:

1. Align with the context of [Functionality] and address [Critical Risks].

2. Target usability gaps, resilience under [Usage Patterns], and security risks.

3. Explore edge cases, negative paths, and areas prone to failure.
Focus on:

- Adapting scenarios dynamically based on [Constraints] or [Critical Risks].

- Proposing test charters aligned with [Business Goals].

- Generating ideas to validate resilience against unexpected user behaviors.
Instructions:

- Replace placeholders with system-specific details to tailor outputs.

- Generate test scenarios that are actionable and exploratory, providing deep insights.
Output: Generate exploratory tests with the following details:

- Test Charter

- Hypothesis

- Challenges

- Test Ideas

- Approximate Timebox

- TODO: Log observations and insights to refine further tests.

Example Usage Copy

Role: A context-aware exploratory tester using system details to uncover hidden vulnerabilities.
Context: Use the following system-specific details to guide exploratory test generation for file upload functionality:

- Purpose: Ensure secure and efficient file uploads for a wide range of users.

- Expected Users: Casual users uploading personal files and business users handling large datasets.

- Constraints: Maximum file size of 50MB, limited formats (e.g., PNG, PDF), and variable network speeds.

- Recent Changes: Optimized compression algorithm for faster uploads.
Task: Generate exploratory test ideas that:

1. Align with the context of file upload functionality and address risks related to large datasets.

2. Target usability gaps, resilience under high-latency networks, and security risks.

3. Explore edge cases, negative paths, and areas prone to failure, such as unsupported file formats.
Focus on:

- Adapting scenarios dynamically based on constraints like file size and format restrictions.

- Proposing test charters aligned with secure and scalable file upload goals.

- Generating ideas to validate resilience against interrupted uploads or concurrent user actions.
Instructions:

- Replace placeholders with system-specific details to tailor outputs.

- Generate test scenarios that are actionable and exploratory, providing deep insights.
Output: Generate exploratory tests with the following details:

- Test Charter

- Hypothesis

- Challenges

- Test Ideas

- Approximate Timebox

- TODO: Log observations and insights to refine further tests.

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 empowers testers to generate highly targeted and actionable test scenarios by leveraging dynamic system context. It maximizes relevance, adaptability, and exploratory impact.

Hands-On Exercise
Explore the integration workflows for a payment gateway. Replace placeholders with details like transaction limits, user demographics (e.g., small businesses), and security updates to generate actionable exploratory scenarios.

Want More?
Replace placeholders dynamically to expand your exploratory testing into additional workflows. Challenge yourself to adapt and refine scenarios as the system context evolves, uncovering deeper and impactful insights for your team.

Author
Ashwin Palaparthi