What is the goal of 'exploratory testing'?

The goal of exploratory testing is to explore the software functionalities without a formal test plan. This approach encourages testers to use their creativity and intuition to discover issues by actively engaging with the application rather than strictly following predefined test cases. Testers in exploratory testing utilize their knowledge of the system and their experience as users to investigate various aspects of the software, allowing them to identify defects that might not be captured through traditional scripted testing methods. This kind of testing is particularly valuable in situations where requirements are not fully defined or when rapid feedback is necessary, making it a dynamic and adaptive strategy for ensuring software quality.