STARWEST 2026 - Exploratory Testing

Wednesday, September 23

Christopher Leek
ClearStar, Inc.
W12

Making Exploratory Testing Data-Driven with Pareto Analysis

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - 1:30pm to 2:30pm

This session presents a disciplined approach to exploratory testing that combines component-level defect analysis with focused and data-driven test charter design. Christopher will demonstrate how to decompose an application into meaningful components, consistently map defects to those components, and apply Pareto analysis to identify the areas responsible for the majority of defects. These high-risk components then become the basis for targeted exploratory test charters that summarize relevant defect history and provide testers with concrete test ideas and heuristics. Each exploratory...