diff --git a/test/cpp/schema_specific/stepfile_rw_progress.cc b/test/cpp/schema_specific/stepfile_rw_progress.cc
index f6f43da6..3b0aece6 100644
--- a/test/cpp/schema_specific/stepfile_rw_progress.cc
+++ b/test/cpp/schema_specific/stepfile_rw_progress.cc
@@ -25,9 +25,11 @@
 
 #include "SdaiAUTOMOTIVE_DESIGN.h"
 
-//macro for 50 ms sleep (could be more for a larger file, may need reduced for a fast processor)
+//macro for N ms sleep
+//currently used for 5ms sleep (could be more for a larger file, may need reduced for a fast processor)
+//TODO: rework this test to not be timing-sensitive
 #ifdef HAVE_STD_CHRONO
-# define DELAY(t) std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(50));
+# define DELAY(t) std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(t));
 #else
 # ifndef __WIN32__
 #  define DELAY(t) usleep( t * 100 )
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ void readProgressParallel( STEPfile & f, float & maxProgress ) {
         if( p > maxProgress ) {
             maxProgress = p;
         }
-        DELAY( 50 );
+        DELAY( 5 );
     }
 }
 
@@ -55,7 +57,7 @@ void writeProgressParallel( STEPfile & f, float & maxProgress ) {
         if( p > maxProgress ) {
             maxProgress = p;
         }
-        DELAY( 50 );
+        DELAY( 5 );
     }
 }