The primary intent of conducting software testing is to uncover the bugs, assess them, and identify the associated risks. This approach will enhance the software cycle-over-cycle, mitigate risk, and allow smooth business operations to reflect an improved business revenue.
The testing volume increases faster than deploying the new functionalities. There is no need to test the old capabilities frequently to ensure that the new functionality doesn’t create any discrepancy in the system. Also, various stakeholders might have a different view of “risks” than developers or testers (not just probability of failure, but impact); hence, it becomes critical to carry out risk-based testing for bug prevention and detection.
Risk-based approach helps,
- Identify high-risk areas
- Direct testing efforts
- Early detection for high-risk failures
- Lower regression errors (no degradation in functionality that was working)
Testing of pre- and post-development codes help in identifying and resolving the bugs in the system; thereby, it will help mitigate risks quickly and efficiently. It is to be noted that risk-based testing is not limited to bug prevention and detection alone. After the complete code of the software is written, the testing experts can also identify issues based on their expertise, knowledge, and experience when the software is in the development or designing phase. However, no software should go without risk-based testing in the deployment phase, as it can cause technical issues or corrupt the database and applications.
Difference between Bug Prevention and Bug Detection
Bug prevention and bug detection in software are two different constraints with regards to the aspects of before the code is written and after the code is written, respectively. Bug prevention is the practice of discovering issues before the coding for any software is completed. With bug prevention, concerned individuals can rethink the design so that the code possesses the ability of risk mitigation.
On the other hand, bug detection is the practice of uncovering unknown risks during and after the code is written concerning the impact of other distinct constraints on code. Through bug detection, coding teams can make changes in real-time to enhance the scope of software utilization and avoid any probability of encountering issues.
Concept of Risk-Based Testing – bug prevention and detection
Risk-Based Testing can be explained as a basis of prioritization of the test cases that are to be conducted on software. By documenting the significance of function, its likelihood of failure and impact in case of failure, testers can focus their efforts on areas that can have a significant negative impact.
The process of bug detection comprises analysis, prevention, and management, which will ensure that all the bugs and defects are identified and resolved before the software reaches the final users and prevent it from causing any issues in their system.
Further, bug/defect analysis, prevention, and management practices ensure that all the bugs/defects go through a pre-determined life cycle to be fixed and closed. The nature of the bug depends upon the resources it uses, and the effects cause the software to behave abnormally. The goal of bug analysis, prevention, and management practices is to identify the root cause and treat them.
The root cause of the bug occurrence generally contributes to the factor of the bug. It needs to be mitigated and resolved to eliminate all the probability of recurrence of the concerning defect. However, the coding team needs to make sure the elimination of root causes should be affecting the performance of the software in any way.
The bug prevention and detection in the risk-based testing process concern the risk containment and mitigation aspects for the risk management process. The risk management process ensures that software is prepared to mitigate the risk whenever it arises during the risk-based testing process. It is based on predetermined programming that can minimize the adverse impact.
Risk Monitoring and Controlling
Risk monitoring and controlling is the process of tracking all the identified risks, such as monitoring residual risks, detecting the new ones, assuring risk plan execution, and evaluating the software ability and effectiveness to eliminate the risks. The risk monitoring and controlling process works throughout the software development life cycle by recording the risk metrics related to the implementation of contingency plans.
While carrying out risk-based testing, 75% of risks arising in test cases can be monitored and controlled, whereas 25% of risks in the test cases may remain undetected due to lack of exposure to application functionalities. Risk monitoring and controlling is a continuous process as new risks may arise by adding new functionalities in the ongoing software development lifecycle. An efficient risk monitoring and control process aims at providing necessary support. It ensures that all risk-based testing practices and robust communication are adapted for making effective decisions to mitigate risks proactively.
Overall, it can be stated that risk-based testing and its varied practices and processes ensure that software is deployed for use by the final users without any bugs or defects. Risk-based testing carries out the practices for bug prevention, bug detection, defect analysis, defect prevention, and defect management for eliminating every possibility of software misbehavior at the user’s end.
Risk-based testing also documents every risk and its triggers so that a risk mitigation plan can be executed as soon as any risk occurs, or trigger is activated. Risk-based testing works in real-time as it starts with the planning phase of software and ends when software is deemed ready for deployment after all the testing. Real-time working of risk-based testing ensures that all the bugs and defects are eliminated from the root causes before they adversely affect the performance of the software at the users’ end.
Yethi is your go-to all your software QA needs
Even a minor bug can adversely affect the software quality putting the brand reputation at stake. An excellent testing process can improve the quality of the software. At Yethi, we follow a process of risk categorization and prioritization. We offer automated business process simulation for high-risk areas to increase the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of the banking/financial software.
We select test scenarios based on importance to customer & security, financial impact, the complexity of business logic, and integration points. Being a leading QA partner for banks and financial institutions, we have touched base in over 22 countries offering QA solutions for more than 80 clients worldwide.
Yethi’s test automation platform, Tenjin, is a 5th generation robotic platform that can efficiently carry out even the complex testing process with ease. It handles test execution, test management, and defect management at various stages to ensure accurate test results with excellent performance without compromising the critical aspects.