Software Testing with Thinking Types

When the Software Testing comes into the picture, a human brain is the best testing tool. In other words,
when we test software, we process information or solve problems or make decisions and create new
ideas. As a tester, we should be very much focused and should be developed different thinking types so
that we are able to relate them with different situations.

Testing activities require different thought processes. Because if that, it is important to understand the
different thinking methods for each activity.

Types of thinking covered in this post are:

Analytical thinking

Abstract thinking

Concrete thinking

Convergent thinking

Creative thinking

Critical thinking

Divergent thinking

Holistic thinking

Sequential thinking

Let’s try to understand briefly thinking methods of Software Testing

Analytical Thinking

It means having an ability to segregate a whole or volume into basic parts in order to examine their
relationships. It involves thinking in terms of logical & step-by-step manner to break a larger system of
information into some sections.

Example: When we analyze what happens when a user submits a form and the request is sent to an API
which communicates with a Database.
Abstract Thinking

It is opposite of concrete thinking. It refers to think about the things that are not actually in presence.

Testers who think in an abstract way with the broader significance of thoughts and information rather
than the concrete details.

Example: Abstract Thinking testers can come up with better test scenarios. They will look at a user story
and try to figure out how this could relate to or impact other parts of the system.

Concrete Thinking

Concrete thinking means to apply factual knowledge OR opposite of abstract thinking.

Testers who are thinking concretely as of like to follow instructions and have detailed plans. They do not
like anything which is fuzzy or ambiguous. As such concrete thinkers prefer to work with a specific lists of
plan and worksheets.

Some testers will not start testing until all acceptance criteria are defined properly as a user story.

Convergent Thinking

Convergent thinking is like to put a number of different sections of a topic together in some organized
and logical manner to find a particular answer.

Example: When we try to find a root cause of a bug, we gather relevant information and extract
necessary data accordingly.

Creative Thinking

Creative thinking means looking fresh OR thinking outside the box. In creative thinking, sometimes we
break the established theories or so called rules and procedures and do the things with new imaginative
way.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to reason to analyze something in order to determine its validity or
accuracy. It is about to be an active learner. It is mainly the most important type of thinking in the
context of testing. As testers, we should always question and communicate about our ideas and
assumptions.

Example: When we look at a user story, we may ask questions about the acceptance criteria rather than
accepting them as they are given to us.

Divergent Thinking

Divergent Thinking mentions the ability to generate some creative ideas by exploring many possible
solutions in an effort to find one that works. It brings facts and data together from various sources and
apply logic and knowledge to make such decisions.
Holistic Thinking

It also known as nonlinier thinking process. It is the ability to see the big picture and recognizes how the
components form the larger system. It involves expanding your thought process in multiple directions,
rather than in just one direction.

In other words, this is when we perform integration or system testing.

Sequential Thinking

It also known as linier thinking process. It refers to process the information in some order. It involves
step-by-step progression where a response to a step must be obtained before another step is taken.

In other words, this correlates to when we follow a script with predefined steps and expected results.

Summary:

Software testing not only requires testing skills but it also requires deep thinking. It is a process of
constantly asking questions, communication with team players along with clients and analyzing the
information we receive. Hence, different test activities require different thinking processes.
Understanding the different thinking types will help in asking the right questions.