What does risk-based testing prioritize?

Risk-based testing prioritizes tests that address the potential impact and likelihood of failure. This approach enables teams to focus their testing efforts on the areas of the application that pose the highest risk to the overall functionality and user experience. By assessing which components are most likely to fail and which failures would have the most significant consequences, QA professionals can allocate their resources efficiently.

This prioritization helps to ensure that the most critical aspects of the application are thoroughly tested, thereby enhancing the reliability and quality of the software product. Acknowledging both the impact of possible failures and their probability allows teams to make informed decisions on what tests to conduct first, maximizing the effectiveness of the testing phase.

The emphasis on risk in this approach differs from other testing strategies that may focus on specific aspects such as compliance with regulatory standards or aesthetic changes, which might not directly correlate to the operational risks of the application.