Major Steps of Risk-Based Testing

First of all let’s figure out what does RBT (Risk-Based Testing) mean. RBT is software testing that is based on prioritizing tests of the elements depending on their importance and likelihood or impact of failure. This methodology comes into an effect when the release of the product is being signed up without prior performing exhaustive testing. As the time and budget are usually limited, RBT is used to determine what should be tested first and build the most suitable schedule. There are the major 4 steps that should be performed within risk-based testing:

1.Risks identification

Defining the main risk situations that may occur in case if functions or modules hadn’t been tested thoroughly. In other word, determining what could happen in case of bugs in feature. For example, in finance industry in case if the calculation of the profit gained by the client was wrong it could involve risk of lawsuits against company (i.e. bank or stock company).

2.Determining The Likelihood Of Each Risk

On this step experts determine the probability of risk implementation and the likely impact of it; the effect of each risk and amount of company’s losses if risk will occur. One assigns values ranged from 0 to 1 for relative probability of risk occurrence as compared to other.

3.Calculation The Numeric Value For Each Of The Risk

Multiplying the value for relative probability of occurrence and an impact for each risk in order to get the range of numeric values of the risks. This step can be easy performed in such editor as Microsoft Excel.

4.Focusing On The Risks With Highest Probability

First of all, you need to test features the defects in which could result in the most negative consequences for company. Then you should test activities directed from higher to lower numeric value (get it from Step 3).

Risk-based testing helps to streamline testers’ efforts in the most efficient way solving primarily priority tasks. This approach is very important as helps managers reducing the costs related to testing within the limited resources. Anyway, if you have never used RBT before you should start now and see how much you’ll benefit from it.