Session Tester - a lightweight SBTM tool
Session Tester is an exploratory testing tool for managing and recording Session-Based Testing. Think of it as an IDE for exploratory testers. Session Tester has a timer so you can keep your test sessions at the desired length, and it provides an easy way to record session notes. Session Tester has an optional mission reminder feature to help you keep your testing sessions on track. Notes are stored in an XML format that can be converted to HTML, or be transformed into whatever form you wish. Session Tester was written in Java, so it should run on any operating system that has a recent version of the Java Runtime Environment. We have tested with Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS X (Intel) and Linux.
Download & Install
Download Session Tester here
We are still in Beta. Be sure to have a recent JRE installed (at least JRE 6, update 6), or else Session Tester might not run properly.
If you are unsure about your JRE, go to the Sun site for a new version. We last used update 11, but anything recent should work: Java SE Downloads. There are also instructions on installation and usage in the User Guide. Once you have a recent JRE, just unzip into a folder, double click the executable jar file, and start testing.
Resources
If you are unfamiliar with Session-Based Testing, check out this article by Jon Bach: Session-Based Test Management.
Paul Carvalho shares some of his ideas and experiences here: Lessons Learned in Session-Based Exploratory Testing
Satisfice SBTM Central: SBTM
SBTM in a regulated environment: Applying Session-Based Testing to Medical Software
Wikipedia has an entry on the topic: SBTM
Usage
Using the tool: Using Session Tester (Note, this section needs work.)
Forums and Community Space
Forums are available here. The forums are the best place to discuss the tool, ask questions, raise concerns and ask for new features.
Web Site
Issue Tracker
JIRA is available here.
Development Details
For details on where we think we are going next, see our Project Road Map.
If you are interested in getting access to the source code, use our SVN or browse it through Fisheye.
If you are interested in helping out in developing Session Tester, see further details here.
