009 – Project Part 2: Exploring and Understanding the Application - rkb-sdet/SoftwareTesting GitHub Wiki

1. Context

  • Continues from Section 7 (project initiation) and Section 8 (domain knowledge – e-commerce).
  • Purpose: Explain next steps after project from the client begins and demo is done.
  • Testing team now focuses on exploring and understanding the application using client demo, documents, and domain knowledge.

2. Objective of This Phase

  • Timeline: ~7 days (as per client, may vary by complexity).
  • Activities:
    • Explore and understand the application features.
    • Identify doubts and clarify with client.
    • Possible discovery of existing defects during exploration.
  • No formal testing outputs expected; main focus is familiarization.

3. Example Project

  • Sample application: TutorialsNinja - E-commerce site (tutorialsninja.com/demo)
  • Domain: E-commerce
  • Identify:
    • Application URL
    • Purpose (buy/sell products online)
    • Client (hypothetical for this demo, e.g., an e-commerce company)
    • Project = specific application given for testing.

4. Exploration & Documentation Approach

  • Use Mind Mapping tool (e.g., XMind) to note observations.
  • Structure:
  1. Basic details (App name, URL, purpose, client/project distinction)
  2. Functional explorations
  • Advantages of Mind Map: better organization than plain text/notepad.
  • Tool shortcuts:
    • Tab → child node
    • Enter → sibling node

5. Functionality Exploration (Part 1)

(Detailed mapping of each function’s behaviour, variations, and navigation options.)

A. Login / Registration / Forgot Password

  • Multiple navigation paths to Login/Registration.
  • Registration form: personal details, email, password, newsletter opt-in, privacy policy checkbox.
  • Accounts auto-login after registration.
  • Forgot Password: sends reset link to provided email.
  • Breadcrumb navigation on all pages.

B. Search Functionality

  • Search box → results page with filters:
    • Categories/subcategories selection
    • Search in product descriptions
  • Search results views:
    • Grid View
    • List View
  • Product comparison option available from search results.
  • Sorting, display counts (15/25/50 per page).

C. Product Comparison Feature

  • Add products from:
    • Search results (grid/list)
    • Product display page
    • Category/subcategory listings
  • Comparison page shows side-by-side features and specs.
  • Multiple navigation methods to comparison page.

D. Product Display Page

  • Sections/Attributes:
  1. Product images (thumbnails, lightbox, scrolling)
  2. Product name, brand, code
  3. Availability statuses (In stock/Out of stock, unclear on limited stock → client query)
  4. Pricing (with/without tax)
  5. Quantity selector, Add to Cart button
  6. Description tab
  7. Reviews tab (write review form, review approval workflow)
  8. Average review rating & count
  9. “Write a review” link
  10. Social media sharing buttons (Facebook Like, Twitter Share, etc. – integrated via AddThis)
  11. Related products section
  • Extra options for some products (e.g., Apple Cinema):
    • Specification tab
    • Reward Points info
    • Bulk purchase discounts
    • Customization/available options (e.g., size, colour, file upload, text input)
    • Minimum quantity restrictions

E. Wishlist Functionality

  • Add from product display page, related products.
  • Requires login; stored for later purchase interest.
  • Wishlist page features:
    • Remove item
    • Add to cart from wishlist
    • Navigate to product display page from image/name
  • Navigation to wishlist via:
  1. Success message link after adding
  2. Header wishlist icon
  3. My Account menu → Wishlist link

6. Observations & Best Practices

  • Track multiple navigation paths to the same function.
  • Note success messages after operations (register, add to cart, wishlist, compare, review).
  • Identify queries for the client (e.g., limited stock handling).
  • Some features vary per product (must test with different products).
  • Document third-party integrations (e.g., AddThis sharing widget).

7. Status at Session End

  • Completed exploration of:
    • Login, registration, forgot password
    • Search & filters
    • Product comparison
    • Product display page (detailed mapping)
    • Wishlist

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