Discover how to prioritize software testing tasks effectively when up against challenging project deadlines for optimal results.

The following method has worked well for me. Identify Critical Paths: Collaborate with the business to identify the critical functionalities or user journeys that are essential for launch. Test with a User Mindset: Approach testing from the perspective of a real user, mimicking how they would interact with the product. Leverage Automation (if available): If you have automated test suites, prioritize running them first, especially those covering the critical paths identified earlier. Manual Testing for Gaps: After automation, use manual testing to address areas not covered by automated suites. Throughout the process, maintain clear communication with stakeholders, keeping them informed about progress and potential risks.

Last updated on Jul 11, 2024

You're up against tight project deadlines for testing tasks. How do you decide what to prioritize?

When facing tight project deadlines in software testing, prioritizing tasks becomes a critical skill. You must manage your time effectively to identify the most crucial aspects that need attention. This involves understanding the project's scope, recognizing high-risk areas, and communicating effectively with your team. Balancing thoroughness with efficiency is key, as you navigate through the complexities of ensuring the software's functionality and reliability under pressure. Let's delve into strategies to help you decide what to prioritize when the clock is ticking.

1 Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is paramount in prioritizing testing tasks under tight deadlines. Focus on features that are most critical to your product's performance and user satisfaction. These typically include functions that handle financial transactions, user data, or core operations. Assessing the potential impact of a bug in these areas can guide you towards allocating your limited time to the most sensitive parts of the application, ensuring the highest risks are mitigated first.

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Tharun V S

Driven QA Engineer | 3 Years of Expertise in Manual & Automated Testing | Leveraging Automation & Insightful Analysis to Elevate Product Quality | Exploring New Opportunities
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When deadlines are tight, I focus on testing the most critical features and areas that affect users the most. Use automated tests to save time on repeated tasks and Check past issues to avoid repeating them. Also, communicate regularly with the team to keep everyone updated on progress and any challenges. This ensures alignment and helps in making quick, informed decisions.

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Torsten Pohl

Freelance Software Tester with expertise in ETL and automation.
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In addition to the aspects of risk assessment already mentioned, consider the following aspects: Review past defect data to find patterns in where bugs often occur, as this can show which areas need more thorough testing. Also, look at the complexity and extent of recent code changes, as more complex or widespread changes are more likely to cause serious issues, requiring prioritized testing in these areas.

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2 Test Coverage

Maximizing test coverage is a challenge when time is scarce. Prioritize writing tests for new features and changes that have been made since the last release. While it's tempting to aim for 100% coverage, focus on critical paths that users are most likely to take. Automate where possible to save time, but remember that some areas might require the nuance of manual testing to ensure quality.

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3 Automation Leverage

Automation can be a lifesaver when you're racing against the clock. Prioritize automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks that are prone to human error. This will free up time for more complex tests that require manual attention. However, be wary of over-relying on automation; ensure that it's used to complement testing efforts rather than replace them entirely.

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4 Communication Clarity

Clear communication with your team is crucial when deadlines are tight. Prioritize daily stand-ups or brief meetings to synchronize efforts and address any immediate concerns. Keep channels open for testers to quickly report issues and for developers to provide feedback. Efficient communication can prevent bottlenecks and ensure everyone is focused on the most urgent tasks.

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5 User-Centric Focus

Keep the end-user in mind when prioritizing your testing efforts. Identify the user journeys that are essential for a satisfactory user experience and ensure they are thoroughly tested. Prioritize bug fixes based on how they affect the user, with those impacting usability or causing frustration at the top of your list. Remember, a product that meets user expectations is more likely to succeed.

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Baptistin Pradeau

Freelance | Senior QA & Formateur ISTQB
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In the context of tight deadlines, it is indeed essential to put yourself in the user's place to provide directly felt value. Exploratory tests are particularly suitable for this context. This allows in several sessions of 30 min to 1.5 hours to explore the application through test charters which indicate to the experienced tester the objective of this session. This is a first approach, possibly to be completed with a more formal strategy, but it is often very profitable.

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6 Continuous Integration

Embrace continuous integration (CI) to streamline your testing process. Prioritize setting up automated builds and tests to run with every code commit. This practice helps catch issues early and reduces the integration problems that can arise from merging code from different developers. With CI, you'll be able to focus on newly introduced problems, ensuring that recent changes haven't adversely affected existing functionality.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Balaji Ramamurthy

Associate Vice President - QA @ Photon Interactive
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The following method has worked well for me. Identify Critical Paths: Collaborate with the business to identify the critical functionalities or user journeys that are essential for launch. Test with a User Mindset: Approach testing from the perspective of a real user, mimicking how they would interact with the product. Leverage Automation (if available): If you have automated test suites, prioritize running them first, especially those covering the critical paths identified earlier. Manual Testing for Gaps: After automation, use manual testing to address areas not covered by automated suites. Throughout the process, maintain clear communication with stakeholders, keeping them informed about progress and potential risks.

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Yuliia Salaman
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Start by compiling all tasks you plan to tackle in a day. Differentiate between urgent and important tasks. Evaluate the importance of each task in achieving your goals. Realistically, acknowledge that not everything on your list can be completed in a day. Prioritize based on what must be done versus what can wait. Focus on the essential tasks that will bring a sense of accomplishment by day's end. After prioritizing, trim down your list by cutting tasks that are less critical. Take a moment to center yourself, then dive into your prioritized tasks with focus and readiness for whatever challenges may arise.

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You're up against tight project deadlines for testing tasks. How do you decide what to prioritize?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Risk Assessment

2 Test Coverage

3 Automation Leverage

4 Communication Clarity

5 User-Centric Focus

6 Continuous Integration

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Testing

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You're up against tight project deadlines for testing tasks. How do you decide what to prioritize?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Risk Assessment

2 Test Coverage

3 Automation Leverage

4 Communication Clarity

5 User-Centric Focus

6 Continuous Integration

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Testing

Rate this article

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