Testing has ability to innovate.
In software testing we continuously re-examine approaches, re-evaluate the effectiveness of the testing and creatively explore application / test suites to uncover as much bugs as possible.
If you ask the question "How do testers test?"; mostly you get answer that testers have test case suite, they execute the steps, compare actual output with the expected output. If they match then the test case passes else it fails.
I get surprised when managers from development tell me that anyone can test, there is no skill that is required for testing.
In one of my project, I had a situation when I had two testers execute the same test case suite in two different environments (same build though). I found that one of the testers was able to find more bugs compared to the other tester. Please note that bugs were not related to environment, they were related to functionality.
This indicates, that 'test cases' were not finding the bugs, it was the 'tester' who was finding bugs. Testing is not limited to execute test case and compare actual output with expected output. There is lot more.
I do not deny the importance of structured testing (i.e. execute test cases, compare actual output with the expected output). But I strogly believe that testers can test software creatively; i.e. test the application beyond test case; test it creatively.
Creative testing is experimental, it is iterative, you look for new ways of testing a functionality / software, you see things through fresh eyes. It requires you to continuously analyze and evaluate. It is the opposite of structured testing.
It requires a special skill "THINK LIKE A TESTER".
Think outside the box. Think about new and different ways to cross boundaries. Test as per specification; also construct scenarios for a real world situation. Do not limit the test to what is taught, but, RECONSTRUCT YOUR OWN IDEA.
Most important thing is to believe in yourself as a Tester.
