---
title: "Frame Testing as an Information-Gathering Activity"
source: "https://virtualddd.com/heuristics/frame-testing-as-an-information-gathering-activity/"
authors: ["Anne-Marie Charrett"]
tags: ["testing", "quality", "sociotechnical systems", "ranking"]
type: "guiding heuristics"
question: "How should we evaluate the purpose and effectiveness of our testing efforts?"
submitter: "Anne-Marie Charrett"
---

# Frame Testing as an Information-Gathering Activity

Define the primary purpose of testing as gathering information about the state of the system to enable informed decisions. This reframes testing from a simple bug-finding exercise to a strategic activity that reduces uncertainty. Every test must be justified by the value of the information it provides.

## Example

Before adding a new automated test, we ask, “What new information will this provide that our existing tests do not?“ If the information is redundant or of low value, we reconsider the effort.