The Imagination Factor in Testing

摘要

The possible existence of software defects must be imagined before the defects can be identified, other than by chance. Stated another way, if testers are not able to imagine the possible existence of software defects, then defects will be identified only by chance. This principle applies to all types of defects, including requirement, code, database, and documentation defects. This paper describes the importance of imaginative testers and ways to enhance the imagination of the test team. Testers must have and use active imaginations in order to be effective. This seems obvious and is perhaps an age-old truth in the Software Testing discipline, but how does a Test Team put this abstract statement into practice? The audience will be challenged to experiment with some exercises to foster the imagination, with special focus throughout the different phases of a typical software project.