Exploratory testing is characterized by its reliance on the skills and experience of the tester. The effectiveness of exploratory testing depends heavily on the tester's ability to design and execute tests based on their intuition and knowledge of the application. This type of testing is often performed without predefined test cases, making the individual tester's expertise crucial.
References:
* ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 4.4 on experience-based testing techniques, including exploratory testing, which highlights the importance of the tester's skills.