26th June, 2017

Software testing is a complex process that involves in-depth identification and management of the potential risks. These may be concerned with different aspects of software development, such as legal liabilities, security, data integrity, project failure, nonconformity to quality standards etc.

Mainly, the risks can be classified into two types:

  • Product Risk: Also known as quality risk, it refers to the potential inability of a software to meet the expectations of the end users or stakeholders.
  • Project Risk: This involves factors that may defer or hamper the software testing project, i.e. unavailability of a test environment, shortage of staff, lack of required skills, delay in fixing issues etc.

Given below is a step by step guide to risk management in software testing:

Risk Identification

The most important step in identification is to analyze the risks faced in the previously developed software programs. Go through the project plan carefully and analyze the elements that may be vulnerable to any type of security risk. It is important to assess the risks in line with the objectives of the project. For a better understanding, you can create a flowchart and document all the risks in detail so that they can be retained in the project memory.

Risk Prioritization

It is recommended to sort the risk list on the basis of priority. This can be done on two basic principles, the probability of the risk being manipulated and the consequences it can have for the users as well as stakeholders. Rank each risk on a scale of 1 to 10 or high to low. Analyzing both these aspects in conjunction will give you an idea about the risks that are high on severity and need to be managed immediately.

Risk Management

Once all the risks have been analyzed and prioritized, the following measures may be applied to fix them:

  • Avoidance: This may be used if the risk is concerned with a new or minor element in the software. It involves delaying the release of the element, provided that it does not play a major role in the functioning of the software.
  • Transfer: In this, the risk management process is outsourced to a specialist who has the required tools and expertise to fix the problems identified. It may increase the overall cost of the project.
  • Acceptance: Any risk that cannot be treated due to factors like cost or non-availability of skilled staff, has to be accepted. It will be present in the current as well as future versions of the software.

For more information and tips on software testing, feel free to contact Centex Technologies at (855) 375 – 9654.