What is Risk-Based Regression Testing?
Risk-Based Regression Testing is an approach in software testing that prioritizes retesting of parts of a software application based on the potential risk associated with changes made to the codebase. This strategy helps ensure that the most critical areas of the software are tested thoroughly, increasing the efficiency of the regression testing process.
In traditional regression testing, all tests are executed regardless of the risk or impact of changes. However, with risk-based regression testing, testers analyze which components of the application are likely to be affected by recent code changes. By conducting a risk assessment, teams can identify high-risk areas that require more extensive testing, while potentially reducing the overall testing effort for low-risk features.
The process typically involves the following steps:
- Identify changes made to the software.
- Assess the risk associated with each change.
- Prioritize test cases based on risk levels.
- Execute the selected test cases.
This method not only safeguards the functionality of essential features but also optimizes both time and resources during the testing phase, making it a valuable practice in the software development lifecycle.