The webinar discusses testing risk management. It defines risks as things that can negatively impact a project's outcomes. There are two types of risks: product risks like bugs that affect stability, and project risks like delays that affect schedule or cost. The presenter advocates that QA managers are well-suited to manage risks due to their end-to-end visibility and balanced perspective between technical and business concerns. Effective risk management involves keeping an up-to-date risk table, reviewing risks regularly, and ensuring meetings focus on mitigation rather than blame.

1. Joel Montvelisky
Chief Solution Architect
Simplify Test Management
PractiTest Webinar:
Testing Risk Management

2. What do we want to cover today?
• Risk Management around
Development & Testing?
• Cataloging and Managing your Risks.
• Adding the Value of QA by Managing your Risks.
• Questions and Answers.
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3. A little about me…
 Professions :
(last 18 years)
- Tester
- QA Manager
- Blogger
- Speaker
- Solution Architect
 PractiTest:
- Chief Solution Architect
- QA Manager
 Off Topic (more or less…)
Mild OCD
 Natural Risk Manager
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4. About
 SaaS ALM Solution
 Simple & Intuitive – yet – Methodological & Flexible
 Integrates with Jira, Selenium, Jenkins, Redmine, Bugzilla, QTP,
Ranorex, SoapUI, etc…
 Best Darn Support in the Business 
Simplify Test Management

5. Question?
Do you have Risk Management in your organization?
 I’m not sure…
 No.
 Yes, managed by Project Management or Development.
 Yes, managed by the QA.

6. Risk Management in
Development & Testing
Risk:
“Something” that may have a negative effect
on your project’s outcome.
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Content
Schedule Cost

7. Risk Management in
Development & Testing
Two Type of Risks:
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1) Product Risks:
Risks that may affect stability of the product
>> Bugs…
2) Project Risks:
Risks that may affect schedule or cost of the project
>> Delays, scheduling conflicts, bad estimates, hidden costs, etc

8. Risk Management in
Development & Testing
Who should manage risks…?
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9. What is Risk Management?
1. Keeping track of all the risks –
focus the team on the relevant ones.
2. Understanding the repercussions of the risk
if it was to materialize - worst case vs. probable
3. Definitions of Risk Owners
4. Defining Avoidance plans & Mitigation plans
5. Adding new risks & removing irrelevant risks
from the Risk Table (List)
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10. Risk Management Meeting
 Periodic meeting
- Once a week (or less)
- 20 – 30 min
 Representatives from all teams and disciplines
- Sources of information
- Decision makers
 Agenda:
- Review top risks
- Update risks
- Add new risks, remove irrelevant risks
- Review action items & corrective actions
 Mail Summary with Up-to-Date Risk Table
What is Risk Management?

11. Risk Management Table
 Risk Name (and short description)
 Risk Owner
 Risk Category
 Risk level
 Date or milestone
What is Risk Management?

12. How to capture and manage risk effectively?
Risk Management Tips & Tricks
1. Transparency and Visibility
Have an up to date risk table in project dashboard
2. (Agile Teams) Add risk review to standup meetings
3. Create a Risk office drop-box or mail address
Discrete and anonymous

13. How to capture and manage risk effectively?
Risk Management Tips & Tricks
4. Ensure Risk meetings do not
become Blame meetings
5. When in doubt, assume history repeats itself
6. Curiosity killed the cat.
Optimism killed the project.

14. Adding Value to the QA
by Managing your Project Risks
Why are QA Managers the
Best Choice for Risk Managers?
 QA has End-to-End visibility of the project and process
 QA is balanced between the Tech and Business worlds
 QA is process oriented
 QA is seldom over optimistic

15. Questions & Answers
Testing & Development
Risk Management

16. About
 SaaS ALM Solution
 Simple & Intuitive – yet – Methodological & Flexible
 Integrates with Jira, Selenium, Jenkins, Redmine, Bugzilla, QTP,
Ranorex, SoapUI, etc…
 Best Darn Support in the Business 
Simplify Test Management

17. Thank You!
joel@practitest.com
http://qablog.practitest.com
Simplify Test Management