Risk-Based Testing and its Challenges

Risk-Based Testing (RBT) has been an important method in the hands of test managers for more than two decades, and it is widely recognized by testers and investors as a critical component of software testing.

Risk-Based Testing

Risk-based testing (RBT) is a form of software testing that is based on risk probability. It helps to determine the risk based on project sophistication, business criticality, level of consumption, and potential fault areas, among other factors. Risk-based testing highlights testing of software application features and functions that are more important and expected to have flaws.

Risk is the incidence of an unknown incident that has a positive or negative impact on a program’s observable success criteria. It may be something that happened in the past, something that is happening now, or something that will happen in the future. These unforeseen events can have an effect on a project’s expense, market, technological, and quality goals.

Risks may be positive or negative.

Positive risks are referred to as prospects, and they help in the long-term viability of a company. Investing in a new project, improving business practices, and creating new products are only a few examples.
Negative risks are also known as hazards, and guidelines to reduce or remove them are necessary for project success.

Risk-Based Testing Approach

Examine the requirements.
SRS, FRS, and Usecases documents are analyzed. This practice is carried out in order to identify and correct errors and ambiguities.
Signing off on requirements is one of the risk-reduction techniques for preventing late changes in programs. Any adjustments to standards that occur after the standard document have been established would be subject to a change control process and corresponding permissions.
Calculate the probability and effect of each requirement on the project, taking into account the specified parameters such as expense, timeline, resources, scope, technical efficiency, protection, efficiency, difficulty, and so on.
Determine the likelihood of failure and high-risk areas. A risk management matrix may be used to accomplish this.
Use a risk registry to keep track of the threats that have been detected. Risks should be updated, monitored, and tracked on a regular basis.
At this point, risk optimization is needed to determine risk ability and risk tolerance levels.
Depending on the ranking, prioritize the criteria.
The process of risk-based testing is established.
For preventive preparation, execution, and progress monitoring, heavily critical and moderate threats may be regarded. Low-risk items may be added to a watch list.
The aim of risk data quality assessment is to examine the data’s quality.
Plan and describe the test based on the ranking.
Plan the test cases in such a way that the highest-risk products are evaluated first, using the required research methodology and test design techniques. High-risk products may be checked by a resource who has extensive domain expertise.
Using the decision table technique on high-risk test items and ‘just’ equivalence partitioning on low-risk test items are two examples of test design strategies.
Multiple functionalities and end-to-end market situations are also covered by test cases.
Prepare the test results, as well as the test conditions and the testbed.
Examine the research team’s test plans, test strategy, test cases, test results, and any other documents they’ve made.
The review process is an effective step in identifying defects and reducing risk.
Perform a series of practice runs and quality control to ensure that the results are as anticipated.
Test cases are carried out in order of the risk item’s priority.
Maintain a chain of custody between risk products, tests that cover them, test results, and defects discovered during testing. All research methods that are correctly implemented will lower quality risks.
Risk-based testing can be applied at any level of testing, including component, integration, and system testing.

Risk-Based Testing Approach to the System Testing

Technical System Test also known as environment test and integration test. The term “environment test” refers to testing in the innovation, testing, and production environments.
Functional System Testing consists of testing all functionalities, features, initiatives, and modules. The goal of this test is to determine whether or not the system meets the requirements.
Non-functional System Testing consists of performance checks, load tests, stress tests, configuration tests, security tests, backup and recovery procedures, and documentation for non-functional system specifications (system, operation, and installation documentation).

Functional and non-functional evaluations are also used in system testing.

Functional testing ensures that the product/application meets the needs of the consumer and the company. Non-functional testing, on the other hand, is performed to see whether the product meets the customer’s needs in terms of consistency, reliability, usability, efficiency, compatibility, and so on.

Risk-Based Testing Process

Following are some steps that clearly specifies the risk-based testing process:

The risks are identified and classified in this process, a drafted risk register is developed, and risk filtering is performed to classify the significant risks.
Risk response entails constructing test objectives based on the risks and choosing suitable techniques to illustrate the test activity/test methodology in order to achieve the test objectives.
The test effectiveness score is calculated by taking into account document dependencies, specifications, cost, and time needed for Software testing, among other factors.
Test scoping is a research activity in which both investors and professional personnel are involved. It’s critical to stick to the agreed-upon risk spectrum. These risks must be resolved by testing, and all participants must agree on the duties that have been delegated to them and the budget that has been set aside for these tasks.
The test goals, expectations, and requirements for each test stage must be documented in the standard format after the scope of testing has been completed.

Challenges of Risk-Based Testing

Following are the risk-based testing challenges:

1. The Whole testing cannot be done

In Risk-based testing, the testers usually test the critical functionality of the app or the program and thus will pass on the result. So, some part of the application or the software remains untested in this testing.

2. We don’t have a good view of the future.

Unexpected events can alter the risk equation by a small amount or a large amount. By definition, risk entails some level of uncertainty. “You don’t know what you don’t know” is another way of putting it. There are certain aspects that we are unaware of. The problem is that we don’t always understand what those things are.!

3. No accurate information

When we base a risk assessment on information from a tester, there’s always the risk that the data is distorted, unreliable, or misleading. It isn’t always the case that testers lie, but they do sometimes forget things or have a memory that is skewed against their point of view.

4. The High-Risk Effect

Since too many problems are regarded as high risks in this perspective, the importance of risk management is diminished. There are few items that can be classified as “low” or “moderate” risk. People can exaggerate the significance of their own areas, believing that if something goes wrong, the entire operation will come to a halt. The problem with this perspective on risk is that it diminishes the importance of risk management because people struggle to create workable risk levels. Everything is a high risk.

5. Methods of evaluation are flawed

This can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most popular ones I’ve seen are:

misapplying someone else’s methods that don’t work in another settings
creating an ineffective and unproven approach on your own, and
misinterpreting a successful method incorrectly due to a lack of comprehension.

Conclusion

The Risk-Based Testing approach makes it obvious that the tester’s primary goal is not to keep examining faults regardless of severity or priority. Things have changed, and testers must now work smartly and clearly comprehend the customer’s and user’s needs and desires.

They must thoroughly research the product to determine which features are most commonly utilized in production, which revenue-generating path is most vital, and how to secure and safeguard clients from production challenges and business hazards.

As a result, the RBT approach clearly teaches the testers that just testing everything or extensively does not imply that testing is complete or that the product is defect-free. It is crucial for the tester to test properly in a set amount of time while ensuring that critical and substantial business implications are mitigated.

As a result, Risk Based Testing is the most effective method for the quality assurance team to guide project stakeholders based on project risks. The RBT technique assists the QA team in identifying and resolving risk that could jeopardise the achievement of the overall project goals and objectives, as well as fulfilling the QA Group’s ultimate goal.

TestDel helps companies to determine techniques for Risk based testing as per project functionality , timeline and budget.