Last updated on Jul 7, 2024

Stakeholders are unhappy with your testing results. How do you handle their conflicting feedback effectively?

When you present your software testing results, you might not always receive a round of applause. Sometimes stakeholders are unhappy, and their feedback can be conflicting. As a software tester, your job is to ensure quality and mitigate risks, but what do you do when stakeholders disagree with your findings? It's vital to navigate through their concerns effectively to maintain the project's integrity and your professional credibility.

1 Understand Concerns

Before you can address any issues, you must understand the concerns of your stakeholders. Listen intently to their feedback without becoming defensive. Recognize that each stakeholder may have different priorities and perspectives on what constitutes a successful test. For example, a product owner might focus on feature functionality, while a security expert is concerned with vulnerability assessments. Your role is to gather all the feedback and dissect it to understand the underlying issues that may not be immediately apparent.

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Rukma Naga Kiran Pilla

|Automation Test Architect|QA Manager|SDET|Selenium|Java|UFT|VB Script
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Have a connect with your stake holders and understand clearly their expectations, bring in your test metrics to show case them your efforts and plan during validation phase. As per the discussions if any changes require in test approach make necessary changes and propose a new solutions that are mutually agreed to have more effective and efficient results .

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Md. Farhan Labib

Specialist SQA Engineer @10 Minute School | Playwright | k6 | Manual Testing
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From my experience, managing stakeholders' feedback requires a strategic and empathetic approach. I start by genuinely listening to each concern, ensuring I don't get defensive. Each stakeholder sees the software differently – the CEO wants a smooth launch, while developers fret over minor bugs. My job is to untangle their concerns. What's the core issue? Is it a critical bug or a usability tweak? By understanding their priorities, we can find solutions that address everyone's needs.

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Mazhar Ali

Business Transformation | Driving Innovation & Strategy | UI/UX | Process Optimization | Project Management | Business Analysis | Mobile Application Enhancement | Product Management | Stakeholder Analysis |
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Handle conflicting stakeholder feedback effectively by understanding their concerns, clarifying expectations, and presenting data-backed insights. Propose solutions based on prioritized risks and impact analysis, involving stakeholders in decision-making. Maintain transparency and open communication to build consensus on next steps.

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2 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is crucial when dealing with conflicting feedback. You need to articulate the testing process, the criteria used, and how the results were determined. Use non-technical language that all stakeholders can understand. Ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the scope of the testing and the implications of the results. It's important to convey that while not all feedback can result in immediate changes, all concerns are taken seriously and considered in the context of the project's goals.

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Md. Farhan Labib

Specialist SQA Engineer @10 Minute School | Playwright | k6 | Manual Testing
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Frustrated stakeholders with test results? Been there! Here's my take: talk it out. Explain our process, the why behind the tests, and what the results mean in plain English. Not everyone's a coding wizard. We listen to all feedback, but prioritize based on project goals. Not every suggestion gets implemented right away, but everyone's concerns matter. Remember, clear communication is key to a smooth launch!

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3 Prioritize Feedback

Once you've gathered all the feedback, it's time to prioritize. Not all concerns will hold the same weight, and some may be outside the scope of the current testing cycle. It's your responsibility to determine which feedback is most critical based on the risk it poses to the project. For instance, a minor user interface issue might be less urgent than a potential security flaw. By prioritizing feedback, you can focus on what matters most and ensure that key issues are addressed promptly.

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4 Propose Solutions

After prioritizing, propose solutions or compromises that align with the project's objectives. This might involve retesting certain aspects, adjusting test cases, or even revisiting the software requirements. Your goal is to find a path forward that satisfies stakeholder concerns without compromising the quality or delaying the project timeline unnecessarily. Present these solutions with an understanding of each stakeholder's perspective to foster agreement and move forward.

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5 Implement Changes

Once stakeholders agree on a solution, it's time to implement changes. This might mean adjusting your testing strategy or working with developers to address identified issues. It's essential to keep stakeholders updated on progress and any new findings that arise from the changes. Transparency throughout this process helps build trust and ensures that stakeholders feel their concerns are being addressed in a meaningful way.

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6 Review Outcomes

Finally, review the outcomes with all stakeholders after implementing changes and conducting any additional tests. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the changes and how they've addressed the initial concerns. It's also a time to reflect on the testing process itself and discuss any improvements that could be made for future projects. By closing the loop, you reassure stakeholders that their feedback has led to tangible improvements in the software's quality.

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Yuliia Salaman
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Handling conflicting feedback from stakeholders can be challenging but essential for project success. Once changes are implemented, evaluate their impact on addressing stakeholder concerns. Conduct thorough testing or feedback sessions to validate improvements. Analyze outcomes against predefined metrics or success criteria to measure effectiveness.

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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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Stakeholders are unhappy with your testing results. How do you handle their conflicting feedback effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Understand Concerns

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Prioritize Feedback

4 Propose Solutions

5 Implement Changes

6 Review Outcomes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Testing

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Stakeholders are unhappy with your testing results. How do you handle their conflicting feedback effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Concerns

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Prioritize Feedback

4 Propose Solutions

5 Implement Changes

6 Review Outcomes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Testing

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