Far too often, small and medium-sized software projects rely on “gut feelings” when deciding which parts of their software might be high-risk. But risk can’t be felt—it needs to be measured, analyzed, and objectively justified. Here’s why taking a professional, evidence-based approach to risk management (and testing) is crucial.
Risk Is More Than Business Logic
Many teams only look at a single layer, like business requirements, when assessing risk. A more holistic approach considers additional layers such as release scope or previous testing history. By including test results from past cycles, you gain a clearer picture of whether a particular function really remains high-risk or if ongoing tests have reduced it.
One-and-Done Risk Values Are Problematic
Initial risk values are often assigned early in the project and rarely (if ever) updated, even if extensive testing has lowered the actual risk level over time. Proper risk management requires revisiting these values regularly and adjusting them based on fresh evidence, not letting them remain static “forever.”
Manual, Disconnected Processes Don’t Cut It
It’s common to see teams defining risk and test priorities in spreadsheets with no direct link to the actual test cases. This creates disorganized, inconsistent data. Instead, adopt a (semi-)automated solution that analyzes test data, ideally integrated directly into your requirements or test management tool, so there’s a clear relationship between risk values and test coverage.
Enter Q12-TMT
Q12-TMT Test Management Tool is designed and implemented by software test experts who were looking for a risk-based testing solution that provides risk assessment in a way that is:
- Multi-layered,
- Evidence-based,
- Interdisciplinary, and
- Iterative.
The tool automatically updates risk calculations on the fly based on your existing test cases and test outcomes, saving you time and ensuring your risk evaluations are always current. Built on scientifically proven methods, Q12-TMT helps your team focus on what matters most: shipping quality software.
Professional risk management relies on hard data, not guesswork. Evidence-based testing provides the basis for informed decisions and reduces uncertainty in software development. With Q12-TMT, organisations benefit from accurate analysis and data-driven testing, making development more efficient while improving software quality and security.
Try it now
Try Q12-TMT now – free and in > 1 minute or connect directly with Oliver Storch on LinkedIn to dive deeper into the topic!