Surprise

Most people love a good surprise—like an unexpected party, finding $20 in your jacket, or getting great news out of the blue. But not all surprises are fun. No one enjoys a haunted house jump scare or a flat tire on the way to work. The truth is, life is full of surprises that spark either joy or panic.

In the world of testing, surprises are a daily reality—and let’s be honest, they’re rarely the kind you want.

No matter how much you plan, something will always slip through the cracks. That one overlooked detail can derail a project. That’s why risk analysis and mitigation should be part of every initiative, regardless of the methodology you use. I live by the phrase, “Hope for the best, plan for the worst.” But let’s be real—there’s a balance. You don’t prepare for earthquakes on every family trip, just like you don’t plan for a flood with every software release. Focus on the most probable risks, with a few wild cards thrown in.

A solid risk analysis process helps you identify potential issues and develop strategies to address them before they become major headaches.

I’ve had my fair share of surprise moments in my career. One was that infamous keystroke error I shared in a previous post—proof that a single mistake can cause chaos. Another time, I was on a project working with a third party, exchanging files over a two-month period. Everything seemed to be on track, and we were just a week away from deployment. Then, out of nowhere, the third party informed us that the data had been incorrect all along. Suddenly, not just one, but four projects were at risk.

After a frantic day of investigation and validation, we traced the problem back to a vague requirement—one both sides had signed off on. Thankfully, it was a quick fix, but it could have been avoided with better questions, clearer requirements, and stronger consensus.

Not all surprises are avoidable, but how you respond makes all the difference. You can freak out (and maybe end up as a viral YouTube meltdown), or you can stay calm, gather your team, and work through the problem together. You don’t need the perfect plan on the spot—just a clear head, some thoughtful collaboration, and a willingness to adapt.

Let’s discuss how risk analysis, clear communication, and strong collaboration can help your team transform surprises into opportunities for growth. Reach out at jberriault@berriaultandassociates.com, and let’s make your next surprise a success story.