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Impact Analysis

Impact Analysis is the process of evaluating the effect of a change (change request, defect fix, enhancement, or requirement update) on the application, test artifacts, timelines, and risks.

Impact analysis answers: “What will be affected if this change is implemented?”

1. Definition

Impact Analysis is the process of evaluating the effect of a change (change request, defect fix, enhancement, or requirement update) on the application, test artifacts, timelines, and risks.

Impact analysis answers: “What will be affected if this change is implemented?”

2. Purpose of Impact Analysis

  • Prevent unintended side effects
  • Estimate testing effort and timeline
  • Identify regression scope
  • Support informed decision-making
  • Reduce risk before implementing changes

3. When Impact Analysis Is Performed

  • Change requests (CRs)
  • Requirement updates
  • Defect fixes (especially high severity)
  • Production issues
  • Release scope changes

4. Manual Tester’s Role in Impact Analysis

  • Identify impacted functionalities and modules
  • Determine affected test scenarios and test cases
  • Estimate regression testing scope
  • Identify test data and environment changes
  • Highlight risks and dependencies

5. Areas to Analyze (Tester Checklist)

5.1 Functional Impact

  • Which features or workflows are affected?
  • Are dependent modules impacted?

5.2 Test Artifacts Impact

  • Test cases to be updated
  • New test cases required
  • RTM updates

5.3 Regression Impact

  • Existing functionality that must be re-tested
  • Risk-based prioritization

5.4 Data & Environment Impact

  • Test data changes needed
  • Environment configuration updates

5.5 Timeline & Risk Impact

  • Additional testing effort
  • Release delay risk

6. Impact Analysis Process (Manual Testing View)

  1. Review change/defect details
  2. Identify affected requirements
  3. Trace impacted test cases via RTM
  4. Estimate regression scope
  5. Communicate impact to stakeholders

7. Real-Time Example

Change Request:

  • Modify checkout tax calculation logic

Tester Impact Analysis:

  • Affected: Checkout, Order Summary, Invoice
  • Update: Test cases, BVA, decision tables
  • Regression: Payment, Discounts, Refunds

8. Impact Analysis vs Root Cause Analysis

Aspect Impact Analysis Root Cause Analysis
Focus Effect of change Cause of defect
Timing Before implementation After defect
Goal Risk prevention Defect prevention

9. Common Mistakes

  • Superficial analysis
  • Ignoring dependent modules
  • Skipping regression assessment
  • Not documenting analysis results

10. Interview-Ready Answers

Short answer:

Impact analysis evaluates the effect of a change on existing functionality, test cases, and timelines.

Detailed answer:

Impact analysis helps testers identify affected areas, estimate regression scope, and assess risks before implementing changes to ensure quality is not compromised.

11. Key Takeaway

Impact Analysis ensures changes are controlled, risks are known, and quality is protected before execution.