Understanding Priority vs. Severity in QA Manual Testing

As QA professionals, we often encounter terms like "priority" and "severity" when discussing defects. Although they might seem similar, understanding the difference is crucial for effective testing and project management.

?? Severity: This refers to the impact a defect has on the system. It's a technical measure of the bug's effect on the application's functionality. Severity levels range from critical (system crash) to minor (cosmetic issues).

?? Priority: This indicates the urgency of fixing a defect. It's determined by the business needs and project timelines. High priority defects need to be addressed immediately, whereas lower priority ones can be scheduled for later.

Here’s a quick example to illustrate:

• High Severity, Low Priority: A critical issue in a feature that's rarely used.
• Low Severity, High Priority: A minor UI issue on the home page of an e-commerce site right before a major sale.

Understanding these concepts helps ensure that we not only maintain high-quality software but also meet business objectives efficiently. Let’s continue to build robust and user-friendly applications by prioritizing our work effectively!