How do you approach prioritizing test cases when faced with tight deadlines?

How do you approach prioritizing test cases when faced with tight deadlines?

When faced with tight deadlines, I follow a strategic approach to prioritize test cases effectively:

1. Identify critical functionalities: I first identify the critical functionalities of the system that must be thoroughly tested to ensure its reliability and performance.
2. Risk-based testing: I prioritize test cases based on the potential risks associated with specific features or modules. This allows me to focus on high-risk areas first.
3. Regression testing: I prioritize regression test cases to ensure that any recent changes or enhancements have not impacted the existing functionality of the system.
4. Collaboration with team: I work closely with developers, product owners, and other stakeholders to understand their priorities and align the testing efforts accordingly.
5. Automation: I prioritize test cases that are more suitable for automation, as it can help in speeding up the testing process and meeting tight deadlines.

By following this approach, I can effectively prioritize test cases and ensure that the most critical functionalities are thoroughly tested, even under tight deadlines.