Test Ideas 14th June 2011 Briefing the context: A blog post published on 7th June 2011 from

my friend, on www.testingideas.wordpress.com is as said below. Looks like the author of post had given a vague test mission with hidden trap; but it is a very intelligent statement. Did you ask is that so? It says Generate functional tests (ideas) for the below image. This throws question back, asking should one generate test ideas for testing image file delete-yesno.jpg or for the dialog seen in the image file.

Exploring:

Im not sure what should be tested whether the image file or dialog seen in the image file. Later author of the post says, Then how about writing tests for all the other meanings you infer and also tell that is seen in below image:

*Note: Read other comments of me and Dhanasekar, attached at end of this document.

Illation: Isnt that you keep inferring test observations on and on as testing is continued. When you closely observe the words Then how about writing tests for all the other meaning you infer, dont it looks like the activity that does not stops unless a decision is taken. You as a tester can influence the decision taken with test report but is it possible to make decision to stop testing and ship it? Havent you observed such decision is in hands of stakeholders who matters? May be if Im testing for product that is developed for me, may be I can take such decision on testing it myself. Few words from author of this post are very intelligent and it can be read in the comments written too. Probably the author might not be aware when he wrote those words or might be aware and included what the practicing tester call TRAP in those words. Testing is as expensive as programming of a product is. It takes time of people -- who matters, who delivers, who assess the product for knowing the existing and non-existing problems and that may come up for using shipped product. Most importantly the credibility of all these people is at stake if nothing goes useful for who matters. From my mistakes I have learned and learning, expected is not shipped because of not right questions being asked, it is for not being questioning at all. Not assessing the risks because doing that stuff(s) consume resources though it adds values can turn as source of n problems in short span. Assumptions helps to test; but building tier of assumptions on an assumption actually costs if unaware of it. In this context looks like whats happening is same. Author of post says to test for all other meaning I infer and say should have interpreted in the way it has been answered. There are no incorrect or wrong or right questions; there are ways of seeing questions just casually. Its like if a person sees an attribute in a question which suits or relates to her or his attitude or practice, probably it would be termed as right or good question, else hope you know what it would be called. What if it is not so? Is it a wrong question? Might be if Windows Vista had asked its targeted users often how compatible it should be to them while using it, it would have made much more dollars revenue. Can you imagine what would have happen if T.A. Peterman had not gone often to the people who wanted trucks with questions -- how they wanted truck, for what purpose etc., may be it would have been different story with that brand. Likewise if Henry Ford wanted to have huge impact and revolution in vehicle industry, no doubt he would have questioned where will you drive vehicles of his make and how fast? Now the problem at the desk is how often such questions were asked by people hired by Henry Ford or by Ford industries and TA Peterman..

Observations: a) The dialog has title http://www.sleepingdeer.com. b) Going through the blog, observed it is more concerned about UX or User Experience. c) Yet another tester, Parimala Shankariaha, author of curioustester.blogspot.com has got few user experience test ideas. I do not want to repeat ideas if she has made it there. d) The image of dialog given by Dhanasekar is available at below URL: http://www.sleepingdeer.com/yawp/?cat=3 http://www.sleepingdeer.com/yawp/foundations/technical-writers-as-user-experiencedesigners-a-revolution/ e) What I infer from actual blog post where the dialog available is that, the author is more interested in the simplicity of message which relates to edit actions edit, save and delete. And looks like it is talking more Technical Writing and UX aspects. Im constructing the functional tests for next 30 minutes from now to know that UX and message does what it is supposed to do and what it actually does.

Test Ideas: Start time: 12:02 AM 1. What does the dialog shows if just one item is selected? Will it say item or items? 2. Does the same dialog and message will be shown on selecting other content available in other module of application? In that case will the word items will confuse the user? 3. What kind of message it is from application? Is it warning, informative, error or a question for a user? That is not available in the dialog displayed? Dialog is not saying what kind of message is being displayed to user. 4. Do this dialog and other dialogs in application will be displayed in all other browsers, OS and devices? Does the dialog, message, font type, font size, font color, background color will appear to be same in them? Does the title bar read same in all the above said? 5. Are there any accessibility standards available in this dialog and others? If yes what are they and will it had to UX value of this application? 6. The message does not tell whether it deletes the file permanently from database or not. It just says Want to delete the selected items? Can the user get back the item(s) deleted later if needed? This is not highlighted in the message, though message is simple and clear. 7. Looks like the theme is MS Windows Classic theme. If yes, then it should meet the standards of Microsoft UI and UX guidelines. 8. If the user machine is not MS Windows but using classic Windows theme, later changing the theme should show GUI and controls appropriate to the changed theme. Is that happening? 9. What kind of application is this? So that the default action in the dialog can be decided. If it has important and critical items or files, the default action in the dialog would be No and not Yes. 10. If I change the screen resolution, does the dialog and controls in still remain pleasing and intact with its functionality? 11. What happens If I leave the dialog as it is for a time period? Will it close itself with an informative message left behind to a user? 12. In what all ways I can close this dialog without performing the action of deletion?

13. How this dialog appears to users who are visually challenged? 14. What if the user zooms in or zooms out, the screen? Will this dialog appears to be pleasing and does its job still? 15. Will it show any other dialog or message on clicking button Yes and No? If yes, what are they and how will they are presented? Ex time taken to delete is beyond expected; unable to delete the file; file is already deleted by other user or same user in other instance; or the file being deleted is being opened or edited; file being deleted is already deleted. 16. If display properties of system Windows and buttons, color scheme and font size is changed, will the dialog remains functional from its UX and UI aspect? 17. What if the color system is changed? Will font color of text and the size of dialog will have any impact on UX functionality? 18. Does the border and sizing of spacing in and around the dialog is consistent? So that it does not irritate or strain the eyes more of user. Will screen tool tip displayed will also be appropriate and contextual for the changes happened or happening? 19. Message in the dialog need to be conversational with user. Does that message in dialog is more conversational? Does the message tell impact of action? End time: 12:34 AM