B · Thinking toolsIntermediate40 min read
5. Heuristics: SFDIPOT & friends
Exploratory Testing · 36 pages source format
Heuristics are mental checklists that spark ideas under pressure. They are not complete test cases.
What you'll learn
- SFDIPOT
- CRUSSPIC STMP
- Consistency heuristics
SFDIPOT tour
Structure, Function, Data, Interfaces, Platform, Operations, Time.
- Structure — files, configs, hidden fields
- Function — features, error handling
- Data — inputs, defaults, migrations
- Interfaces — API, UI, imports
- Platform — browsers, locales, mobile
- Operations — install, permissions, logs
- Time — timeouts, schedules, TZ
Do this now
For your app, write one question per SFDIPOT letter.
Clear?
Heuristic-driven session
Pick one letter (e.g. Data or Time) as the lens for a charter.
Do this now
Run a 45-min session with an explicit heuristic lens. Log ideas generated.
Clear?