XP 2025
Mon 2 - Thu 5 June 2025 Brugg - Windisch, Switzerland
Wed 4 Jun 2025 14:00 - 14:30 at 5.1A17 (Session) - Testing Chair(s): Per Beining

Exploratory Testing is a dynamic software testing approach that emphasizes creativity, real-time learning, and defect discovery. The integration of ET into structured frameworks like Scrum remains insufficiently explored and presents distinct challenges. This qualitative study investigates how ET is implemented in Scrum workflows and identifies key factors enabling its effective application. Interviews with 20 industry professionals highlight ET’s role in enhancing test coverage, uncovering usability issues, and addressing edge cases often missed by automated or scripted tests. The most critical enablers of effective ET are the tester’s willingness to learn about the system un- der test and the ability to adopt a user-centric perspective. Other key factors include testers’ curiosity, creativity, domain knowledge, and organizational support. Participants noted that ET complements Scrum’s iterative cycles, enabling teams to identify defects dynamically and improve software quality. Despite its advantages, ET faces challenges within Scrum, including time constraints and the need for traceability. Lightweight documentation practices, such as annotated mind maps and screen recordings, emerged as effective strategies to bridge these gaps. This study underscores ET’s potential to enhance Scrum workflows, providing actionable insights for optimizing testing strategies in Agile environments.

The Use of Exploratory Software Testing in Scrum (XP presentation_GNeri_126.pptx)533KiB
The Use of Exploratory Software Testing in Scrum (ET_in_Scrum__A_Qualitative_Study__XP126.pdf)262KiB
The Use of Exploratory Software Testing in Scrum (XP presentation_GNeri_126.pdf)443KiB

Wed 4 Jun

Displayed time zone: Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna change

14:00 - 15:30
TestingResearch Papers at 5.1A17 (Session)
Chair(s): Per Beining XPand ApS
14:00
30m
Talk
Exploratory Software Testing in Scrum: A Qualitative Study
Research Papers
Giulia Neri The University of Sheffield, Rob Marchand The University of Sheffield, Neil Walkinshaw The University of Sheffield
File Attached
14:30
20m
Talk
Fostering New Work Practices Bottom-up Through a Community of Practice - A Case Study in a Large-Scale Agile Software Development Organization
Research Papers
Franziska Tobisch Technical University of Munich (TUM), Florian Matthes Technical University of Munich
Link to publication File Attached
14:50
20m
Talk
A Mosaic of Perspectives: Understanding Ownership in Software Engineering
Research Papers
Tomi Suomi University of Jyväskylä, Petri Ihantola University of Jyväskylä, Tommi Mikkonen University of Helsinki, Niko Mäkitalo University of Jyväskylä
Pre-print File Attached
15:10
20m
Talk
Mutation Testing in Test Code Refactoring: Leveraging Mutants to Ensure Behavioral Consistency
Research Papers
File Attached
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