Which scenario would typically be classified as Critical severity?

• A. It blocks core functionality and affects a significant portion of users.
• B. It causes a minor cosmetic issue.
• C. It only occurs on a specific device that few users have.
• D. It has no impact on usage.

Answer: (A)

Severity levels in defect tracking communicate how serious a problem is. A Critical severity issue is one that blocks core functionality and affects a significant portion of users, demanding immediate attention and a rapid fix. This describes a scenario where essential tasks can’t be completed by many users, so it’s prioritized for fixes right away.

The other cases have lower impact: a minor cosmetic issue doesn’t prevent use; a problem that only occurs on a rare device affects only a small audience; and something with no impact on usage isn’t a real obstruction at all.