What Should You Do If There Is Not Enough Time to Conduct Thorough Testing?

Original

Time constraints leading to inadequate testing are a common and frequent challenge. Many teams, when faced with this situation, either blindly reduce the scope of testing—resulting in critical issues being overlooked—or stubbornly attempt comprehensive testing under time pressure, leading to superficial execution across the board. In project management, there is a concept known as priority-based thinking—a mindset that involves ranking tasks based on their importance and urgency to guide decision-making. This same approach can be applied to testing: by focusing limited time on high-risk, high-value test points, we can replace exhaustive testing with precise testing. I will share my method using ZenTao as an example.

Step 1: Use a Risk-Value Matrix to Quickly Prioritize Testing

When time is limited, the worst approach is to test randomly without a plan. Testers can prioritize testing based on requirement priorities or use a risk-value matrix to organize all pending test function points. Let’s take an e-commerce project as an example to illustrate:

Business Value Dimension: Prioritize functions that directly impact core processes. For instance, core workflows such as order submission, user payment, and inventory deduction, as well as foundational functions like user login and shipping address saving, are considered high value. On the other hand, non-core functions like personal center theme settings or custom signature modifications are classified as low value.

Risk Probability Dimension: Focus on modules with a history of issues or high technical complexity. For example, if the payment module frequently encounters bugs due to interface encryption logic, or if a newly launched AI recommendation feature uses an algorithm framework the team is unfamiliar with, these would be considered high-risk modules. Such modules may directly impact user experience and should be tested as a priority.

Using these two dimensions, test points can be categorized into four types: high-value high-risk, high-value low-risk, low-value high-risk, and low-value low-risk. When time is tight, focus only on the high-value high-risk test points. Once the core tests are organized, directly input the test cases into the ZenTao project management software, label them with priority levels P1 to P4, and execute the tests in order of priority.

Step 2: Simplify Testing Processes by Eliminating Non-Essential Steps

Often, testing takes a long time due to redundant steps in the process. We can simplify the workflow appropriately to allocate more time for test execution. In ZenTao, test cases are completed using a checklist format. When creating a test case, there is no need to write a comprehensive and detailed document. It is sufficient to fill in the product it belongs to, the case type, case name, priority, and case steps. Additionally, emphasis should be placed on automated testing. For high-frequency testing scenarios, prioritize the use of automation to improve efficiency. During testing, tasks such as parameter validation for login interfaces are inevitable. Instead of manually entering usernames and passwords every time, an automated script can be written for batch execution, completing an hour's worth of manual work in just a few minutes. Through automated testing, the team can identify software issues within minutes, rather than waiting for days. This also enables testers to focus more on manual validation of core functions, ensuring both efficiency and attention to critical test points.

Step 3: Synchronize Progress Promptly and Define Testing Boundaries

When rushing to complete a project, it is easy for teams to become overwhelmed. We must avoid team conflicts arising from inconsistent understanding. Some members may believe that core functions have already been tested, while others may consider Feature A as core and insist it should also be tested. Teams can clarify the following two aspects through meetings:

• Bug Fix Priorities: Reach a consensus with team members on which bugs must be fixed in the current iteration and which can be addressed in subsequent iterations.
• Handling of Untested Functions: Clearly define which test points need to be skipped due to time constraints and the reasons for doing so. Communicate this to all relevant stakeholders to avoid disputes later.

Step 4: Focus Regression Testing on Critical Areas to Avoid Introducing New Issues

Regression testing is absolutely essential, but it is unnecessary to retest all functionalities, as that would be too time-consuming. We should focus on two key aspects: first, verify the module where the bug was fixed to ensure the issue has been truly resolved; second, check the core processes related to the fixed bug to prevent the repair from triggering chain reactions. In ZenTao, after developers resolve a bug, they can reassign it to testers for verification. This approach ensures the corrected component functions properly while maintaining scrutiny over key related processes, thereby eliminating the need for exhaustive full regression testing. The time saved can then be allocated to other critical testing areas.

Therefore, when facing genuine time constraints in a project, the core objective of testing shifts to safeguarding fundamental quality standards. Even with limited testing time, maximizing the stability of the project's core functionalities must remain the priority. This approach helps prevent critical issues from being overlooked due to an indiscriminate pursuit of comprehensive testing, which could ultimately compromise user experience and business outcomes after the project launch.