Which is a recommended approach when dealing with high-risk items during testing?

The recommended approach for dealing with high-risk items during testing is to use structural testing techniques. Structural testing, often referred to as white-box testing, focuses on the internal structure of the application. By utilizing this method, testers can examine the code and ensure that high-risk areas are thoroughly tested. This is essential because high-risk items may involve critical functionalities or complex algorithms that require detailed analysis to uncover potential flaws or vulnerabilities.

Structural testing techniques allow testers to create test cases that specifically target the paths and conditions within the code that are most susceptible to errors, thus maximizing the probability of discovering defects in high-risk items. By ensuring that these critical areas are tested thoroughly, teams can mitigate risks effectively and enhance product quality.

In contrast, other options do not align as effectively with a structured approach to testing high-risk items. For instance, exploratory testing, while valuable, lacks the rigorous and systematic emphasis that structural testing provides. Poor documentation practices can lead to misunderstandings and errors, making it more challenging to manage high-risk scenarios. Finally, relying solely on unit testing without considering other levels of testing can leave critical integration and system risks unaddressed. Therefore, structural testing techniques stand out as the most effective strategy for dealing with high-risk items during testing.