Difference between Severity and Priority in Testing

Severity:
Severity is defined as the extent to which a particular defect can create an impact on the software. Severity is a parameter to denote the implication and the impact of the defect on the functionality of the software.

Priority:
Priority is defined as parameter that decides the order in which a defect should be fixed. Defect having the higher priority should be fixed first.

Difference between Severity and Priority in Testing:

Severity	Priority
Severity is a parameter to denote the impact of a particular defect on the software.	Priority is a parameter to decide the order in which defects should be fixed.
Severity means how severe defect is affecting the functionality.	Priority means how fast defect has to be fixed.
Severity is related to the quality standard.	Priority is related to scheduling to resolve the problem.
Testing engineer decides the severity level of the defect.	Product manager decides the priorities of defects.
Its value is objective.	Its value is subjective.
Its value doesn’t change from time to time.	Its value changes from time to time.
Priority is of 3 types: Low, Medium, and High.	Severity is of 5 types: Critical, Major, Moderate, Minor, and Cosmetic.

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