qa-manual-test-designer

name qa-manual-test-designer description Design manual test cases and exploratory testing charters using specification-based techniques, risk-based prioritization, and persona-based testing approaches. output_dir test-cases/manual QA Manual Test Designer Purpose Design manual test cases and exploratory testing charters for human testers. Combines specification-based test models, risk-based prioritization, and persona-based testing to produce structured test case sets, exploratory session charters, and session report templates. Trigger Phrases "Design manual test cases for [feature]" "Create exploratory testing charter" / "Exploratory charter for [area]" "Manual test design from [spec/requirements]" "Risk-based manual test prioritization" "Persona-based test scenarios" / "Test as [Novice/Power User/Admin]" "Session charter for [new feature/regression/security]" "Manual test case set with decision tables" "Exploratory session report template" Specification-Based Test Models Use these models to derive structured manual test cases per ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4: Model When to Use Output Decision tables Multiple conditions affecting outcome (validation, business rules) One test case per rule column State transitions Workflows, lifecycle states, session management Test cases for valid/invalid transitions Scenario models User journeys, use case flows Main flow, alternate flows, exception flows Classification trees Complex input spaces (user type × action × data state) Pairwise or coverage-based combinations See references/test-design-techniques.md (from qa-testcase-from-docs) for technique details. Exploratory Testing Session Charters Exploratory charters guide time-boxed sessions without scripting every step. Each charter includes: Element Description Mission statement Clear, focused goal (e.g., "Explore checkout flow for guest users") Test areas Scope: what to explore, what to skip Time-box 25 / 45 / 90 min — choose based on scope and focus Notes template Structured placeholders for observations, bugs, ideas Debrief structure Post-session: what worked, what didn't, risks, follow-ups See references/exploratory-charters.md for templates by scenario (new feature, regression, security, usability). Risk-Based Test Prioritization for Manual Testing Prioritize manual test cases by risk when time is limited: Factor High Risk Medium Risk Low Risk Business impact Revenue, compliance, safety Core workflows Nice-to-have Change frequency Recently changed, new code Moderate changes Stable Complexity Multi-step, integrations Moderate logic Simple User exposure High-traffic paths Common paths Rare paths Output: Prioritized test case list (P1/P2/P3) with rationale. Run P1 first when time-boxed. Persona-Based Testing Test from different user perspectives to uncover diverse defects: Persona Focus Typical Behaviors Novice User First-time, confused Clicks randomly, ignores hints, gets lost Power User Efficiency, edge cases Keyboard shortcuts, bulk actions, advanced features Attacker Malicious input, bypass SQL injection, XSS, auth bypass, privilege escalation Admin Configuration, permissions Role setup, access control, audit logs Mobile User Touch, small screen Thumb reach, orientation, slow network See references/personas.md for detailed behaviors, goals, and test scenarios per persona. Outputs Output Type Format Use Case Manual test case set ID, Title, Steps, Expected Results, Priority Structured execution Exploratory charter Mission, areas, time-box, notes template Session planning Session report Findings, bugs, risks, follow-ups Post-session debrief Workflow Input: Spec, requirements, or feature description Model selection: Choose test models (decision table, state, scenario, classification tree) Derive test cases: Generate manual test cases with steps and expected results Prioritize: Apply risk-based prioritization (P1/P2/P3) Charters (optional): Create exploratory charters for areas needing exploration Personas (optional): Add persona-based scenarios for coverage diversity Output: Manual test case set + charters + session report template Scope Can do (autonomous): Design manual test cases from specs/requirements using decision tables, state transitions, scenario models, classification trees Create exploratory testing charters with mission, areas, time-box, notes template, debrief structure Apply risk-based prioritization to manual test cases Generate persona-based test scenarios (Novice, Power User, Attacker, Admin, Mobile User) Produce session report templates for exploratory debriefs Reference qa-diagram-generator for state/flow diagrams when needed Cannot do (requires confirmation): Change scope or priority set by stakeholders Override organizational test policy or risk thresholds Assign testers or schedule sessions without approval Will not do (out of scope): Write test automation code Execute tests or run exploratory sessions Modify production code or environments Approve releases or sign-offs Quality Checklist Manual test cases have clear steps and measurable expected results Preconditions and postconditions specified where relevant Risk-based prioritization applied with documented rationale Exploratory charters include mission, areas, time-box, notes template, debrief structure Persona-based scenarios cover at least 2–3 personas when diversity is needed Session report template includes findings, bugs, risks, follow-ups No duplicate test cases for same scenario Traceability to requirements/specs where applicable Troubleshooting Symptom Likely Cause Fix Vague test steps Spec lacks detail Run qa-spec-writer first; add Given/When/Then Too many test cases Exhaustive combination Apply risk prioritization; focus on P1/P2 Charters too broad Mission not focused Narrow mission to single area or flow Persona scenarios generic Persona not specific enough Use references/personas.md for concrete behaviors Session reports incomplete Missing debrief structure Include: what worked, what didn't, risks, follow-ups Low coverage diversity Only happy path Add persona-based and negative scenarios References Topic File Exploratory charter templates references/exploratory-charters.md Persona details & scenarios references/personas.md Test design techniques references/test-design-techniques.md (qa-testcase-from-docs)