What could be a consequence of slippage in testing timelines?

Selecting the consequence of slippage in testing timelines as potentially lower software quality due to rushed testing captures a critical aspect of the testing process. When timelines for testing are compressed, testers may not have sufficient time to conduct thorough and comprehensive testing activities. This can lead to several issues, including inadequate test coverage, missed defects, and insufficient time to address identified issues.

Rushed testing often results in testers having to make difficult decisions about what to prioritize, which can lead to overlooking critical test cases or skipping exploratory testing altogether. The lack of sufficient time can also hinder the opportunity for proper documentation and analysis of test results, making it harder to ensure that the software meets quality requirements.

While elements like increased documentation duties or higher budgets may be affected by testing timeline changes, these are not direct consequences of slippage. The primary concern tends to focus on how the quality of the final product is compromised when testing is not given adequate time to be carried out effectively. Thus, the potential impact on software quality is the most pressing consequence of timeline slippage in testing.