I had a bit of a rant brewing in my brain, triggered by seeing people still using the term "manual tester" (and I know some folks happily self-identify as that, but it's often used rather pejoratively). https://lisacrispin.com/2025/01/15/testing-terminology-and-misperceptions/
Comments
Instead of "manual testing," I like to use the term "experiential & exploratory testing." In essence, you really are validating the experience!
You don't hear about manual developers? Manual devops? Manual engineering managers? Manual PMs?
Manual laborer <> mindless. It just means that you are doing things by hand. But it is typified as being unskilled.
Manual transmissions are the bane of many Americans. But I like driving cars with manual transmissions.
I could go on, but you are spot on.
So think of artisanal bread making, where small batches of high quality breads is the goal. Quality, not mechanization.
So maybe artisanal testing? I'm only 1/2 joking