This article provides real-world scenario-based questions that help candidates understand common SDLC challenges faced in software projects.
Key Areas Covered:
✔ Requirement Changes & Impact on Testing
✔ Waterfall, Agile, & V-Model Testing
✔ Testing Without Clear Documentation
✔ Regression & Incremental Testing
✔ Risk-Based Testing
✔ Missed Requirements & Late Modifications
✔ Test Planning & Execution Challenges
✔ Stakeholder Communication.
Each question is designed to help testers think critically and approach interviews with confidence.
So get started.
1. A new project is being developed, and the client keeps changing requirements. How would you handle testing in such a scenario?
When requirements keep changing, flexibility in testing becomes crucial. Here’s how to handle it:
- Adopt Agile Testing – Use Agile methodologies like Scrum to accommodate changes quickly.
- Use Exploratory Testing – Helps in quickly validating new changes without waiting for detailed test cases.
- Prioritize Regression Testing – Automate where possible to ensure that new changes don’t break existing functionality.
- Maintain a Living Test Document – Instead of static test plans, use dynamic test documentation that evolves with requirements.
Example: In an e-commerce project, if the client suddenly changes the checkout flow, exploratory testing can immediately verify the impact, while automated regression tests confirm no past features are broken.
2. During the design phase, a critical requirement was missed. How would this impact testing later?
A missed requirement in the design phase can lead to defects found late, causing higher costs and delays.
- Impact:
- Late discovery of issues leads to rework, increasing project costs.
- Test cases might be incomplete, missing validation for crucial functionality.
- Developers may need to rewrite code, delaying testing timelines.
- Solution:
- Conduct Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) to track and map requirements to test cases.
- Regular review meetings with business analysts and stakeholders to catch gaps early.
- If a requirement is missed, create a hotfix testing strategy for it before deployment.
Example: If a healthcare app forgot to include data encryption, testing might detect security risks late, requiring major code changes just before release.
3. A project follows the Waterfall model. At what stage should testing ideally begin, and why?
In Waterfall, testing typically begins after the development phase in the Testing Phase, but ideally, test planning should start in the Requirement Phase.
Why?
- Helps testers understand business needs early.
- Allows test case design alongside development, saving time.
- Identifies gaps in requirements before coding starts.
Example: If testing starts only after development, a missing feature might require major rework. However, catching it early during requirement reviews prevents last-minute surprises.
4. How would you convince stakeholders about the benefits of early testing in an Agile SDLC?
Stakeholders usually care about cost and time. Here’s how to convince them:
- Early Testing Saves Money – Finding defects in the requirement phase costs much less than fixing them in production.
- Faster Releases – Testing alongside development ensures smoother, quicker releases.
- Better Product Quality – Continuous feedback reduces defects before they pile up.
Example: A mobile banking app caught a security flaw during early testing, preventing a costly security patch post-release.
5. Your team is working on a software system where security is a major concern. How would security testing be integrated into SDLC?
Security testing should be embedded at every stage:
- Requirement Phase – Identify security needs (e.g., encryption, authentication).
- Design Phase – Use threat modeling to analyze risks.
- Development Phase – Implement secure coding practices.
- Testing Phase – Conduct penetration testing, SQL injection tests, etc.
- Deployment Phase – Perform security audits before go-live.
Example: In a healthcare app, we tested for HIPAA compliance by ensuring that patient data remained encrypted at all times.
6. A project is moving from development to testing, but there is no clear requirement documentation. How would you proceed with testing?
When documentation is missing:
- Talk to Stakeholders – Gather knowledge from developers, business analysts, and users.
- Perform Exploratory Testing – Identify key functionalities through hands-on testing.
- Use Reverse Engineering – Understand expected behavior from existing software or competitors.
- Prioritize Risk-Based Testing – Focus on critical and high-impact areas first.
Example: In an old payroll system, we didn’t have clear documentation but used exploratory testing to identify calculation errors in salary deductions.
7. Your project follows a V-Model SDLC. How do testing activities align with the development phases?
In V-Model, testing is planned alongside development:
- Requirement Phase → Acceptance Testing Plan
- Design Phase → System Testing Plan
- Coding Phase → Unit & Integration Testing
This ensures testing is structured and aligned with development, preventing late-stage surprises.
Example: While developing a flight booking system, early test planning helped catch logic errors in seat reservations before coding began.
8. The client requests a rapid release cycle. How does this impact SDLC, and what testing challenges arise?
Rapid releases mean:
- More frequent testing – Testing must be fast and automated.
- Regression Testing is Crucial – Automated regression ensures older functionality isn’t broken.
- Risk-Based Testing is Needed – Focus on high-impact areas first.
Challenges:
- Less time for detailed manual testing.
- Increased dependency on test automation.
- Frequent changes may cause instability.
Example: A social media app had weekly releases, so we automated core tests (e.g., login, post sharing) to keep up with the speed.
9. The software being developed needs to comply with industry standards (e.g., healthcare, finance). How does this affect testing in SDLC?
Regulatory compliance means:
- More Documentation – Test cases must prove compliance.
- Security & Performance Testing – Standards may require load/security testing.
- Regular Audits – Testing must meet legal & regulatory checks.
Example: A banking app needed PCI-DSS compliance, so we performed penetration testing and audit logging verification.
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10. You find that development is running behind schedule. How does this impact the test planning phase in SDLC?
When development is delayed, testing gets squeezed, increasing the risk of rushed testing.
- Impact on Testing:
- Less time for thorough testing – Testers may need to cut down test coverage.
- Higher risk of defects in production – Since testing is rushed, defects may go undetected.
- Regression testing suffers – Less time means fewer automated or manual regression runs.
- How to Handle It:
- Risk-Based Testing – Focus on critical functionalities first.
- Parallel Testing – Start test case preparation while development is ongoing.
- Use Smoke Testing – Quickly verify major functionalities before deeper testing.
Example: In an e-commerce project, last-minute feature changes delayed development, so we prioritized checkout and payment flow testing over minor UI checks to ensure core business functions worked.
11. Your project follows an incremental SDLC model. How do you ensure proper regression testing for each increment?
In Incremental SDLC, new features are built in phases, so regression testing must ensure past increments still work.
- How to Ensure Effective Regression:
- Automate Core Test Cases – Re-run previous test cases quickly.
- Maintain a Regression Suite – Organize test cases for past increments.
- Use Continuous Integration (CI) – Helps detect broken features early.
- Risk-Based Approach – Prioritize business-critical functionalities first.
Example: In a hotel booking app, after adding a “Cancel Booking” feature, we had to regressively test past features like booking confirmation, payment deductions, and refunds to ensure no new bugs were introduced.
12. A major functionality has been modified late in development. How should testing be adapted?
Late modifications can break existing features if not tested properly.
- Adaptation Strategy:
- Impact Analysis – Identify what areas are affected and test them thoroughly.
- Regression Testing – Ensure other functionalities still work.
- Ad-Hoc & Exploratory Testing – Uncover unexpected issues.
- Automate Where Possible – Save time with automated checks.
Example: In a banking app, a late change to the interest calculation logic required retesting past transactions, balance updates, and interest statements to ensure correctness.
13. During requirement gathering, you notice ambiguity in some requirements. How should a tester address this?
Ambiguous requirements lead to misinterpretation and defects later.
- Steps to Address It:
- Seek Clarification – Talk to business analysts or stakeholders.
- Use Requirement Reviews – Get developers and testers to validate understanding.
- Create Assumptions Document – If clarity isn’t possible, document assumptions and get approval.
Example: In an insurance app, the term “premium adjustment” wasn’t clearly defined, so we collaborated with BAs to define exact scenarios before writing test cases.
14. How would you ensure testability of requirements during the requirement analysis phase of SDLC?
Testable requirements ensure effective validation.
- How to Ensure Testability:
- Requirements should be clear, measurable, and verifiable.
- Use Acceptance Criteria – Define “What is considered correct?”
- Conduct early reviews with testers, developers, and BAs.
Example: Instead of saying, “The system should be fast,” a testable requirement would be:
“The system should load user data within 2 seconds after login.”
15. Your company is transitioning from a traditional SDLC model to Agile. What major changes in testing should be considered?
Agile testing differs from traditional models by focusing on speed, collaboration, and continuous feedback.
- Key Changes in Testing:
- Testers get involved early – Work alongside developers.
- Frequent & Continuous Testing – Testing happens in short cycles (Sprints).
- Automation Becomes Essential – Regression testing must be fast.
- Exploratory Testing Gains Importance – Since Agile is fast-moving, scripted tests alone won’t be enough.
Example: In a healthcare project, moving to Agile meant we automated core functionalities (appointment booking, reports download) to keep up with sprint deadlines.
16. How does risk assessment fit into the SDLC, and how would you handle high-risk areas in testing?
Risk assessment helps prioritize testing efforts based on impact & likelihood of failure.
- How to Handle High-Risk Areas:
- Identify critical functionalities (e.g., payment, authentication).
- Use Risk-Based Testing – Test high-risk features first.
- Increase test depth in high-risk areas (e.g., boundary testing, security tests).
Example: In an online banking app, fund transfers were considered high-risk, so we tested transaction failures, incorrect balances, and security breaches before testing UI changes.
17. You are part of a project that is migrating an old system to a new one. How would you approach testing?
Migrating a system needs careful validation to prevent data loss, functionality issues, or compatibility errors.
- Testing Strategy:
- Data Migration Testing – Ensure no data corruption or loss.
- Parallel Testing – Compare old and new system outputs for consistency.
- Backward Compatibility Testing – Ensure new system supports old integrations.
Example: While migrating an HR payroll system, we ran paycheck calculations in both systems and compared results for accuracy.
18. A stakeholder suggests skipping the testing phase due to a tight deadline. How would you respond?
Skipping testing is risky and leads to expensive post-release defects.
- How to Convince Them:
- Show Cost vs. Risk – Fixing a production bug costs 10x more than fixing it early.
- Suggest Risk-Based Testing – Instead of skipping testing, focus on critical areas.
- Highlight Potential Impact – Ask, “What happens if this bug causes system failure?”
Example: A retail app skipped checkout testing, leading to cart failures on launch day, causing huge revenue loss.
19. How would you manage testing in a hybrid SDLC model (combining Agile and Waterfall)?
Hybrid SDLC means some phases follow Waterfall, while others use Agile.
- Testing Adaptation:
- Follow structured planning for Waterfall parts.
- Use continuous testing for Agile iterations.
- Ensure clear handoffs between Agile and Waterfall teams.
Example: A banking project used Waterfall for core banking features and Agile for mobile app UI, so we balanced detailed test planning with quick Agile sprints.
20. How does test planning differ in Agile SDLC compared to traditional models like Waterfall?
Agile testing is continuous and iterative, while Waterfall testing is structured and sequential.
- Waterfall Test Planning:
- Heavy test case documentation upfront.
- Testing starts after development finishes.
- Agile Test Planning:
- Lightweight test documentation (mind maps, checklists).
- Testing happens alongside development.
Example: In an Agile project, we wrote high-level test scenarios instead of detailed test scripts to keep up with rapid changes.
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21. The project scope is constantly changing. What are the implications for testing?
Constant scope changes can disrupt test planning and introduce more defects if not handled properly.
- Implications for Testing:
- Increased Regression Testing – Changes can break existing features.
- More Exploratory Testing – Since requirements are evolving, predefined test cases might not cover everything.
- Higher Defect Leakage Risk – Rushed testing due to frequent changes can lead to undetected bugs.
- Test Automation Becomes Crucial – Running repeated manual tests is inefficient.
- How to Handle It:
- Use Agile Testing – Continuous testing aligns well with changing scopes.
- Impact Analysis – Identify which areas are affected before testing.
- Keep Documentation Flexible – Maintain lightweight, adaptable test cases.
Example: A travel booking app had frequent UI/feature updates, so we relied on automated regression tests to ensure previous functionalities remained intact.
22. How would you prioritize test execution when development and testing happen simultaneously in Agile SDLC?
Since development and testing run in parallel in Agile, prioritizing efficiently is key.
- Prioritization Approach:
- Test Critical Features First – Focus on business-critical functions.
- Risk-Based Testing – Identify high-risk areas for early testing.
- Automate Regression Tests – Quickly verify unchanged functionalities.
- Use Continuous Testing – Run tests as soon as features are available.
- Collaborate with Developers – Shift-left testing (early bug detection).
Example: In a food delivery app, login, payment, and order placement were tested first, while UI elements were tested in later cycles.
23. You are testing a project following a Spiral SDLC model. How do you ensure proper risk-based testing?
Spiral SDLC focuses on risk analysis at each phase, so testing should align with it.
- Ensuring Risk-Based Testing:
- Identify Risks Early – Security, performance, or compliance risks.
- Prioritize Testing Based on Risk Impact – Focus on high-risk areas first.
- Perform Iterative Testing – Each Spiral phase should have dedicated tests.
- Regression Testing is Key – To validate changes at every loop.
Example: In a healthcare software project, data privacy risks were identified early, leading to stronger encryption and security tests in each Spiral phase.
24. How would you manage testing in a hybrid SDLC model (combining Agile and Waterfall)?
Hybrid SDLC blends Agile flexibility with Waterfall structure, requiring a balanced approach to testing.
- Managing Testing Effectively:
- Use Waterfall for Stable Features – Structured planning for complex functionalities.
- Use Agile for UI & Enhancements – Quick feedback loops for iterative improvements.
- Maintain Separate Test Strategies – Unit tests in Agile, system testing in Waterfall.
- Frequent Communication – To align Agile teams with Waterfall planning.
Example: A banking system used Waterfall for core transaction processing and Agile for mobile app UI enhancements.
25. A stakeholder suggests skipping the testing phase due to a tight deadline. How would you respond?
Skipping testing is like driving a car without brakes – it’s risky and leads to major failures.
- How to Respond:
- Show the Cost of Bugs in Production – Fixing a bug post-release costs 10x more.
- Suggest Risk-Based Testing – Focus on critical functionalities if time is short.
- Highlight Business Impact – Ask, “What if this system fails for customers?”
- Propose Automation – If time is an issue, automate key test cases.
Example: A retail app skipped checkout testing to meet a launch deadline – leading to checkout failures, lost revenue, and angry customers.
26. How does test planning differ in Agile SDLC compared to traditional models like Waterfall?
Agile test planning is flexible and iterative, while Waterfall follows structured, sequential planning.
- Waterfall Test Planning:
- Detailed upfront test documentation.
- Testing starts after development completes.
- Agile Test Planning:
- Uses lightweight documentation (checklists, mind maps).
- Testing happens alongside development (Sprint Testing).
- Automation plays a big role to handle frequent changes.
Example: In a mobile banking app, Agile testing meant continuous feedback on new features, whereas Waterfall required detailed upfront planning.
27. The software being developed needs to comply with industry standards (e.g., healthcare, finance). How does this affect testing in SDLC?
Compliance requires strict validation, documentation, and security measures.
- Impact on Testing:
- Regulatory Compliance Testing – Ensure adherence to laws like HIPAA (healthcare) or PCI-DSS (finance).
- Extensive Documentation – Every test must be traceable to compliance needs.
- Security & Performance Testing – Industry regulations often demand these.
- Frequent Audits & Reports – To provide proof of compliance.
Example: A payment processing system underwent PCI compliance testing, checking encryption, transaction security, and fraud detection.
28. You are working on a project with rapid release cycles. How does this impact SDLC, and what testing challenges arise?
Fast release cycles mean less time for detailed testing, increasing the risk of undetected defects.
- SDLC Impact:
- Testing Becomes Continuous – Automated testing is a must.
- Frequent Regression Testing – Ensure older features aren’t broken.
- Feature Prioritization – Not all tests can be executed in tight deadlines.
- Testing Challenges:
- Less time for manual testing – Requires exploratory and risk-based testing.
- Increased Dependence on Automation – Helps test faster.
- High Defect Leakage Risk – Need quick feedback cycles to catch critical bugs early.
Example: A ride-sharing app released updates weekly, so we automated core functionalities like login, ride booking, and payments to maintain quality.
29. How would you handle testing when development and testing happen simultaneously in Agile SDLC?
In Agile, testing and development happen in parallel, meaning testing must be fast, flexible, and continuous.
- How to Handle It:
- Collaborate with Developers Early – Pair testing to catch defects as soon as code is written.
- Automate Regression Tests – Helps test faster without slowing development.
- Use Risk-Based Prioritization – Focus on high-risk features first.
- Perform Exploratory Testing – Since requirements evolve, scripted tests alone aren’t enough.
Example: In a SaaS-based CRM system, new features were released every 2 weeks, so we ran daily automated tests and collaborated with developers throughout the sprint.
30. A client keeps requesting last-minute changes. How would you handle this in testing?
Frequent changes can destabilize software and cause testing delays.
- How to Manage Last-Minute Changes:
- Impact Analysis First – Understand what parts of the system are affected.
- Prioritize Quick, Critical Tests – Run smoke and sanity tests before deeper testing.
- Use Agile Testing Approach – Focus on small, incremental testing rather than full cycles.
- Automate Where Possible – Reduces rework effort.
Example: In an e-learning platform, a sudden change in the quiz feature required immediate impact analysis to ensure previous quizzes and scoring logic remained intact.
31. How would you approach testing if the software needs to be compatible across multiple devices and platforms?
Cross-platform compatibility ensures consistent performance across devices.
- Approach to Multi-Platform Testing:
- Define Key Devices/Browsers First – Prioritize the most used platforms.
- Use Cloud-Based Testing – Services like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs help test across multiple devices.
- Automate Repetitive Tests – Helps validate UI and performance across various devices.
- Perform Real-Device Testing – Simulators aren’t always reliable for real-world usage.
Example: In a food delivery app, testing involved Android, iOS, Chrome, and Safari, ensuring that order placement, payments, and tracking worked seamlessly across all platforms.
32. You are testing a new feature in an application, but there is very little documentation. How would you proceed?
When documentation is missing, exploratory and ad-hoc testing become essential.
- How to Handle It:
- Talk to Developers/Product Owners – Gather insights directly.
- Compare with Similar Features – Look at how existing functionalities work.
- Perform Exploratory Testing – Identify unexpected behaviors without relying on written test cases.
- Create Your Own Documentation – Document findings for future reference.
Example: In a travel booking app, testing the “multi-city flight booking” feature without documentation required reverse engineering similar single-city booking flows.
33. How do you test software that integrates with third-party APIs?
Third-party API integrations can introduce instability and dependency issues, so testing must be structured.
- Best Practices for API Testing:
- Validate API Responses – Ensure correct data is returned.
- Perform Load Testing – Check how APIs behave under high traffic.
- Handle Failures Gracefully – Simulate scenarios where the API is down or returns errors.
- Use Postman or Automation Tools – Automate API requests for faster validation.
Example: In a hotel booking app, the payment gateway API was tested for transaction failures, refund processing, and timeouts to avoid real-world payment disruptions.
34. You are working on a project where test data is critical. How would you manage test data effectively?
Test data directly impacts testing quality, especially in data-driven applications.
- How to Manage Test Data:
- Use Realistic Data – Avoid using only synthetic data; use anonymized real data when possible.
- Automate Data Generation – Tools like Faker, Mockaroo, or SQL scripts help create diverse datasets.
- Data Masking for Security – In healthcare/finance apps, mask sensitive fields.
- Maintain Separate Environments – Keep test, staging, and production data isolated.
Example: In a loan approval system, different test datasets were used to cover high-risk applicants, rejected cases, and exceptional scenarios.
35. How do you ensure effective collaboration between developers and testers?
Collaboration between developers and testers leads to fewer defects and faster bug fixes.
- How to Improve Collaboration:
- Encourage Early Involvement – Testers should participate in requirement discussions.
- Use a Common Bug Tracking Tool – JIRA, Bugzilla, or Azure DevOps.
- Pair Testing & Development – Developers and testers test together in real-time.
- Have Regular Sync Meetings – Discuss progress, blockers, and priorities.
Example: In an Agile fintech project, pair testing with developers reduced bug-fixing time by 40% since issues were caught early.
36. A project is nearing release, but critical defects are still open. What do you do?
Critical defects before release put the product’s reputation and user trust at risk.
- How to Handle It:
- Perform Risk Assessment – Identify which defects are truly critical.
- Suggest a Hotfix Plan – If fixing all issues isn’t feasible, prioritize a post-release fix plan.
- Increase Testing Focus on Workarounds – Ensure temporary solutions work.
- Delay Release if Necessary – If issues are high-impact, discuss postponement with stakeholders.
Example: In a healthcare app, a data sync issue was found before release. Since it could impact patient records, the release was delayed for a quick fix.
37. A product has a tight release schedule, and you need to reduce testing efforts. How would you prioritize?
When time is limited, not everything can be tested, so strategic prioritization is key.
- How to Prioritize:
- Risk-Based Testing – Test critical business areas first.
- Automate Regression Tests – Save time on repetitive testing.
- Use Exploratory Testing for Quick Validation – Helps find unexpected issues fast.
- Perform Smoke Testing – Ensure essential workflows function before release.
Example: A finance app had a tight deadline for a loan approval update. We prioritized testing credit score calculations and approval workflows over UI enhancements.
