Severity refers to the impact a defect has on the functionality or operation of a system or component. It helps prioritise issues based on their potential effects on users or system performance.
Key characteristics of severity:
- Impact Assessment: Severity measures how significantly a defect affects system operations.
- Levels of Severity: Common classifications include critical, major, minor and trivial.
- Objective Evaluation: Severity is determined based on technical criteria rather than user perception.
Understanding severity helps teams prioritise defect resolution efforts effectively, ensuring critical issues are addressed promptly.