What is Pair Testing?

Pair testing is a software testing technique in which two people work together at one keyboard to test the software application. One does the testing and the other analyzes or reviews the testing. This can be done between one tester and developer or business analyst or between two testers with both participants taking turns at driving the keyboard.

Pair testing is a form of exploratory testing, which means that the testers are free to explore the software and look for potential problems. This can be more effective than traditional testing methods, which often rely on pre-defined test cases.

There are many benefits to pair testing, including:

• Increased defect detection rate: Pair testers can often find more defects than individual testers.
• Improved communication and collaboration: Pair testing helps to break down silos and improve collaboration among team members with varying job titles.
• Increased knowledge sharing: Pair testing helps to transfer knowledge between team members, which can lead to improved overall testing skills.
• Faster testing: Pair testing can often be faster than individual testing, as two people can work together to test the software more effectively.

Pair testing is a valuable technique that can be used to improve the quality of software. It is a particularly effective technique in agile development environments, where rapid feedback is essential.

Here are some of the roles that can be played in pair testing:

• Driver: The driver is the person who actually interacts with the software. They will follow the test plan or explore the software as they see fit.
• Navigator: The navigator is the person who observes the driver and provides feedback. They may ask questions, suggest alternative approaches, or point out potential problems.
• Reviewer: The reviewer is the person who reviews the test results after the pair testing session is complete. They may look for defects that were missed by the driver and navigator, or they may provide recommendations for improvement.

Pair testing can be a very effective way to improve the quality of software. It is a valuable technique that should be considered by all software development teams.

Ref: Wiki