01 / The problem
The release ships Friday.Risk-based testing, one decision at a time.
There is one testing window left.
By Abhimanyu Grover · Updated September 10, 2026
Scroll to make the choice ↓02 / The problem
The suite will not fit.
There are more tests than hours.
03 / The problem
Something will go untested.
The deadline forces a choice.
04 / Define the risks
Risks describe what can go wrong.
Risk-based testing starts with the consequences.
Test cases check specific behaviors.
05 / Define the risks
A broken avatar is annoying.
The customer can still use the product.
06 / Define the risks
A purchase can fail.
The customer cannot complete the purchase.
07 / Risks and test cases
One risk. Several test cases.
Link card approval, declined payment, and retry tests.
Each checks part of the same risk.
08 / Build the matrix
Start with likelihood.
How likely is this risk to occur?
Consider recent changes and previous defects.
09 / Build the matrix
Then consider impact.
What happens if it fails?
Consider customers, revenue, security, and essential workflows.
10 / Build the matrix
Use simple ratings.
Start with low, medium, and high.
Label them one, two, and three.
11 / Build the matrix
Score the risk.
Likelihood × impact gives the risk score.
Its score guides testing priority.
12 / Score the risks
A purchase can fail.
This risk scores six.
Three test cases address it.
A purchase can fail: likelihood 2, impact 3, score 6.
13 / Score the risks
A customer can lose access.
This risk also scores six.
Two test cases address it.
A customer can lose access: likelihood 2, impact 3, score 6.
14 / Score the risks
Results can be hard to find.
This risk scores four.
Two test cases address it.
Results can be hard to find: likelihood 2, impact 2, score 4.
15 / Score the risks
A report can be unavailable.
This risk scores two.
Two test cases address it.
A report can be unavailable: likelihood 1, impact 2, score 2.
16 / Score the risks
A profile picture can stay unchanged.
This risk scores one.
One test case addresses it.
A profile picture can stay unchanged: likelihood 1, impact 1, score 1.
17 / Make the choice
Prioritize the linked tests.
The payment and access risks come first.
Their five linked test cases lead this plan.
18 / Set the budget
Choose a testing budget.
With 45 minutes, five test cases fit.
These durations are illustrative.
19 / Set the budget
More time changes the plan.
With 60 minutes, two search tests fit too.
The risk score has not changed.
20 / See what remains
A linked test can remain unplanned.
Make the gaps visible for each risk.
21 / Question the scores
These scores are judgments.
A six is a rating, not a failure probability.
Your team may rate these risks differently.
22 / Change the evidence
New evidence can raise a risk.
Suppose report exports start failing.
Raise that risk’s likelihood from one to three.
23 / Keep learning
Revisit the ratings every release.
Use changes, defects, and business context.
Review the results of the linked test cases.
24 / TestCollab · Risk register
Give your team one risk register.
Record risks in TestCollab. Assign owners.
Keep ratings and mitigation plans together.
25 / TestCollab · Traceability
Connect each risk to its tests.
Link several test cases to one risk.
Keep requirements and defects connected too.
26 / TestCollab · Test planning
Build a plan around higher risks.
Sort and filter test cases by Risk Level.
Each reflects the highest exposure among its linked risks.
Your team chooses what to run first.
27 / TestCollab · Results
See the gaps. Review the results.
Coverage shows which risks have linked tests.
Verification shows the latest results of those tests.
Follow up where tests fail or have not run.
28 / Your next release
Bring risk-based testing to your team.
Connect your risks, test cases, and results in TestCollab.
Risk-based testing is available on the Enterprise plan.
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