Why I Prioritize Test Cases ?

Hi Tester,

In this newsletter I will explain why I prioritize test cases.

I will also explain the benefits of setting priority for test cases.

These benefits are based on my two decades of experience in testing.

Before I get in to that, let see what is test case priority.

As you know, testing is not just the test case execution.

It needs lot of planning and analysis. Test case development is one of the major activities in testing. And you know what, another major activity after test case development is setting priority for test cases.

Because all test cases can not be executed. Always.

So, I need to decide which test cases should be executed.

This depends on available time for testing and how critical the feature to be tested is. That is where is I do set the priority for test cases. This step is done immediately after test case development completes.

Priority is priority to execute the test case.

Here are the benefits of setting the priority for test cases.

Let’s dive in.

Helps to prioritize testing efforts:

Prioritization helps focus.

By assigning priorities to test cases, I can focus my efforts on the important cases first. By this, I can ensure that the most critical defects are found and fixed as early as possible.

I can confirm that critical functions are working as expected.

Improves test case coverage:

Test cases should cover all requirements.

When test cases are prioritized, I make sure to cover all of the important areas of the product. This helps me to reduce the risk of defect slippage.

Provides better understanding of software:

Important to know the product features I test.

Assigning priorities to test cases, helps me and team to gain a better understanding of the software.

This can help them to identify potential areas of risk and to develop more effective test plans.

Improves communication:

Testing can not be done in silo.

When test cases are prioritized, it can help to improve communication between testers, developers, and other stakeholders. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Testing effort is focused on the most important areas.

Increases efficiency:

Time is crucial.

I need to prioritize test cases, so that I can be more efficient in their testing efforts. No use if I spend more time on already tested and stable features.

This can help to save time and money.

Increased visibility:

Testing needs be transparent.

When test cases are prioritized, it can help to increase visibility into the testing process. This helps my stakeholders to understand the progress of testing and to identify any potential risks.

They too can suggest the priority feature to be tested.

Improved decision-making:

Decision is to be based on data.

Test case prioritization can help me to make better decisions. Decisions about about how to allocate time and resources. This can help to ensure that the most important tests are executed first.

I can also decide if I can give sign-off for the testing or not.

Reduced risk:

Risk is everywhere.

When test cases are prioritized, it can help to reduce the risk of defects being missed. This can help me to ensure that the software is released with a higher quality.

The risk of untested functionality release is minimized.

Improved customer satisfaction:

I test for customer satisfaction.

When software is released with great quality, it can help to improve customer satisfaction. The product solves the user problem.

This can lead to increased sales and revenue for the organization.

You can follow my learnings and implement test case prioritization and get benefitted.

Conclusion:

So, I prioritize the test cases to make sure that I ensure complete test coverage. Product delivered is of good quality. I can focus on executing high priority test cases. The focused work reduces the risk, increases the visibility and makes testing as transparent as possible. It helps me to increase the customer delight.

Please feel free to connect for any doubts.