Manual testing relies on human testers to perform test cases, interact with the software user interface, and observe its behavior. Testers use their domain knowledge, intuition, and experience to identify issues that may not be easily detected through automated means.

Manual testing often involves exploratory testing, where testers explore the software’s features and functionalities in an unscripted manner to uncover unexpected issues or behavior. This approach allows testers to think creatively and adapt their testing strategies based on real-time observations.

Testers may also perform ad hoc testing, where they test the software informally without predefined test cases or scripts. Ad hoc testing is useful for quickly identifying critical defects or assessing the overall quality of the software.

Manual testers approach testing from the perspective of end users, focusing on usability, intuitiveness, and user experience. They evaluate how well the software meets user requirements and expectations, including factors such as responsiveness, performance, and error handling.

Manual testing includes various types of functional testing, such as smoke testing, sanity testing, regression testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT). Testers verify that the software functions correctly according to specified requirements and performs the intended tasks without errors.

In addition to functional testing, manual testers may also perform non-functional testing, including usability testing, compatibility testing, performance testing, and security testing. These tests assess the software’s performance, reliability, scalability, and security aspects.

Manual testers document their test cases, test results, and any defects or issues discovered during testing. This documentation helps track the testing process, communicate findings to stakeholders, and facilitate defect resolution and retesting.