A Basic Approach I Follow as a Test Engineer for Release Testing
Simple but effective practices that help me plan and test releases with confidence.
For testers who feel unsure, overloaded, or don’t know where to start
Release testing can feel messy. Deadlines are close, changes keep coming, and you’re expected to give confidence without having full control over the product or the time.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“What should I test first?”
“How do I know when testing is enough?”
“What do I even say during a release call?”
This approach is for you.
This is not a framework or a checklist. It’s a simple way of thinking that helps me stay focused during release testing. It’s built from real work, mistakes, and learning on the job.
1. Start by Understanding the Product, Not the Test Cases
Before worrying about test cases or automation, I try to understand the product itself.
I ask basic but important questions:
What problem does this product solve?
Who uses it and how do they use it in real life?
What would hurt the customer most if it failed?
I explore the product end to end. Not just happy paths, but:
What happens when I interrupt a flow?
What happens with bad or unexpected input?
Where does data come from and where does it go?
If I don’t understand the product, my testing becomes guessing.
Understanding the product gives direction to every test I run.
2. Accept That You Can’t Test Everything, Then Choose Wisely
In release testing, time is limited. Trying to test everything usually leads to shallow testing and false confidence.
So I prioritize.
I focus first on:
New features: Things that haven’t been used in production yet.
Changed areas: Bug fixes, refactoring, configuration changes.
High-risk areas: Features that are complex, business-critical, or have caused problems before.
When I’m unsure what’s risky, I ask:
What would break trust if it failed?
What is used most often?
What is hardest to change once released?
Prioritization is not about skipping work.
It’s about spending effort where failure would matter most.
3. Use Plans to Start, Not to Limit Your Thinking
I usually begin with a simple plan. It helps me cover obvious areas and avoid missing basics.
But during testing, I expect the plan to change.
As I test, I pay attention to:
Surprising behavior
Inconsistent results
Areas that feel fragile or confusing
When I find something interesting or risky, I follow it. That’s exploratory testing.
Testing is not about finishing a checklist.
It’s about learning fast and adjusting based on what the product shows you.
4. Communicate What You Know, Not What You Wish Was True
During a release, people want certainty. Testing rarely provides that.
So I avoid saying things like:
“Everything is tested”
“There are no bugs”
Instead, I communicate clearly:
What I tested
What I didn’t test
What issues were found
Where I feel confident
Where risks still exist
A typical statement might be:
“Based on the areas we tested and the issues we found, I believe the product is in a reasonable state to release, with known risks in these areas.”
My job is not to approve releases.
My job is to provide information that helps the team make decisions.
5. Expect Surprises and Learn From Every Release
No release goes exactly as planned.
New issues appear late. Requirements change. Something behaves differently in production.
When that happens:
I adjust my focus
I learn more about the product
I improve how I approach the next release
Every release teaches you:
Where your assumptions were wrong
Which risks you missed
What deserves more attention next time
That learning is part of the job.
Final Thoughts
This is the basic approach I follow during release testing:
Understand the product and how people use it
Accept limits and prioritize risk
Use plans as a guide, not a cage
Communicate honestly and clearly
Stay flexible and keep learning
If you’re a beginner, this gives you a starting point.
If you’re mid-level and feeling stuck, this can help you reset.
If you’re confused during releases, this can help you focus.
It’s not perfect. It’s not complete.
But it’s a practical way to test with intent instead of panic.
And from there, you’ll find your own way.
If you found this helpful, stay connected with Life of QA for more real-world testing experiences, tips, and lessons from the journey!