diff --git a/test/upgrade/background_verification_test.go b/test/upgrade/background_verification_test.go
index d28e187d4..1c7c38fa4 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/background_verification_test.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/background_verification_test.go
@@ -18,30 +18,18 @@ package upgrade_test
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"knative.dev/pkg/test/upgrade"
 )
 
-const (
-	bgMessages = 5
-)
-
 func TestSkipAtBackgroundVerification(t *testing.T) {
 	config, buf := newConfig(t)
 	skipMsg := "It is expected to be skipped"
-	doneCh := make(chan struct{})
-	beforeVerifyCh := make(chan struct{})
-	inVerifyCh := make(chan struct{})
 	expectedTexts := []string{
 		upgradeTestRunning,
-		"DEBUG\tFinished \"ShouldBeSkipped\"",
-		"DEBUG\tFinished \"ShouldNotBeSkipped\"",
 		upgradeTestSuccess,
 		"INFO\tSetup 1",
-		"INFO\tSetup 2",
-		"INFO\tVerify 2",
 		"WARN\t" + skipMsg,
 	}
 	s := upgrade.Suite{
@@ -51,42 +39,14 @@ func TestSkipAtBackgroundVerification(t *testing.T) {
 					// Setup
 					func(c upgrade.Context) {
 						c.Log.Info("Setup 1")
-						go func() {
-							// Log messages before Verify phase.
-							for i := 0; i < bgMessages; i++ {
-								msg := fmt.Sprintf("BeforeVerify %d", i)
-								c.Log.Info(msg)
-								expectedTexts = append(expectedTexts, msg)
-							}
-							close(beforeVerifyCh)
-							<-inVerifyCh
-							// Log messages while Verify phase is in progress.
-							for i := 0; i < bgMessages; i++ {
-								msg := fmt.Sprintf("InVerify %d", i)
-								c.Log.Info(msg)
-								expectedTexts = append(expectedTexts, msg)
-							}
-							close(doneCh)
-						}()
 					},
 					// Verify
 					func(c upgrade.Context) {
-						<-beforeVerifyCh
-						close(inVerifyCh)
-						<-doneCh
 						c.Log.Warn(skipMsg)
 						c.T.Skip(skipMsg)
 						c.Log.Info("Verify 1")
 					},
 				),
-				upgrade.NewBackgroundVerification("ShouldNotBeSkipped",
-					func(c upgrade.Context) {
-						c.Log.Info("Setup 2")
-					},
-					func(c upgrade.Context) {
-						c.Log.Info("Verify 2")
-					},
-				),
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -99,28 +59,12 @@ func TestSkipAtBackgroundVerification(t *testing.T) {
 		"INFO\tVerify 1",
 	}})
 	assert.textContains(out, texts{elms: expectedTexts})
-	verifyBackgroundLogs(t, out)
-}
-
-func verifyBackgroundLogs(t *testing.T, logs string) {
-	t.Helper()
-	for _, line := range strings.Split(logs, "\n") {
-		if (strings.Contains(line, "BeforeVerify") ||
-			strings.Contains(line, "InVerify")) &&
-			!strings.Contains(line, "⏳") {
-			t.Fatalf("Message was not logged by background logger: %q", line)
-		}
-	}
 }
 
 func TestFailAtBackgroundVerification(t *testing.T) {
-	doneCh := make(chan struct{})
-	beforeVerifyCh := make(chan struct{})
-	inVerifyCh := make(chan struct{})
 	const failingVerification = "FailAtVerification"
 	expectedTexts := []string{
 		upgradeTestRunning,
-		fmt.Sprintf("DEBUG\tFinished %q", failingVerification),
 		upgradeTestFailure,
 		"INFO\tSetup 1",
 		"INFO\tVerify 1",
@@ -132,29 +76,9 @@ func TestFailAtBackgroundVerification(t *testing.T) {
 					// Setup
 					func(c upgrade.Context) {
 						c.Log.Info("Setup 1")
-						go func() {
-							// Log messages before Verify phase.
-							for i := 0; i < bgMessages; i++ {
-								msg := fmt.Sprintf("BeforeVerify %d", i)
-								c.Log.Info(msg)
-								expectedTexts = append(expectedTexts, msg)
-							}
-							close(beforeVerifyCh)
-							<-inVerifyCh
-							// Log messages while Verify phase is in progress.
-							for i := 0; i < bgMessages; i++ {
-								msg := fmt.Sprintf("InVerify %d", i)
-								c.Log.Info(msg)
-								expectedTexts = append(expectedTexts, msg)
-							}
-							close(doneCh)
-						}()
 					},
 					// Verify
 					func(c upgrade.Context) {
-						<-beforeVerifyCh
-						close(inVerifyCh)
-						<-doneCh
 						c.Log.Info("Verify 1")
 						c.T.Fatal(failureTestingMessage)
 						c.Log.Info("Verify 2")
@@ -189,8 +113,7 @@ func TestFailAtBackgroundVerification(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.textContains(out, texts{elms: expectedTexts})
 	assert.textContains(testOutput, texts{
 		elms: []string{
-			fmt.Sprintf("--- FAIL: %s/VerifyContinualTests/%s", t.Name(), failingVerification),
+			fmt.Sprintf("--- FAIL: %s/Run/%s", t.Name(), failingVerification),
 		},
 	})
-	verifyBackgroundLogs(t, out)
 }
diff --git a/test/upgrade/execute_failures_test.go b/test/upgrade/execute_failures_test.go
index a11448f07..09126d7d8 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/execute_failures_test.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/execute_failures_test.go
@@ -26,20 +26,21 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestSuiteExecuteWithFailures(t *testing.T) {
-	for i := 1; i <= 8; i++ {
-		for j := 1; j <= 2; j++ {
+	suite := completeSuite()
+	for i, st := range createSteps(suite) {
+		for j := range st.ops.ops {
 			fp := failurePoint{
-				step:    i,
-				element: j,
+				step:    i + 1,
+				element: j + 1,
 			}
-			testSuiteExecuteWithFailingStep(fp, t)
+			testSuiteExecuteWithFailingStep(suite, fp, t)
 		}
 	}
 }
 
 var allTestsFilter = func(_, _ string) (bool, error) { return true, nil }
 
-func testSuiteExecuteWithFailingStep(fp failurePoint, t *testing.T) {
+func testSuiteExecuteWithFailingStep(suite upgrade.Suite, fp failurePoint, t *testing.T) {
 	testName := fmt.Sprintf("FailAt-%d-%d", fp.step, fp.element)
 	t.Run(testName, func(t *testing.T) {
 		assert := assertions{tb: t}
@@ -48,15 +49,15 @@ func testSuiteExecuteWithFailingStep(fp failurePoint, t *testing.T) {
 			c      upgrade.Configuration
 			buf    fmt.Stringer
 		)
-		suite := completeSuiteExample(fp)
-		txt := expectedTexts(suite, fp)
+		suiteWithFailures := enrichSuiteWithFailures(suite, fp)
+		txt := expectedTexts(suiteWithFailures, fp)
 		txt.append(upgradeTestRunning, upgradeTestFailure)
 
 		it := []testing.InternalTest{{
 			Name: testName,
 			F: func(t *testing.T) {
 				c, buf = newConfig(t)
-				suite.Execute(c)
+				suiteWithFailures.Execute(c)
 			},
 		}}
 		var ok bool
diff --git a/test/upgrade/functions.go b/test/upgrade/functions.go
index 98bf28340..fe4965d80 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/functions.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/functions.go
@@ -17,38 +17,39 @@ limitations under the License.
 package upgrade
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
-	"strings"
+	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"go.uber.org/zap/zapcore"
-
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
+	"go.uber.org/zap/zaptest"
 )
 
 // Execute the Suite of upgrade tests with a Configuration given.
+// When the suite includes Continual tests the number of logical CPUs
+// usable by the test process must be at least <NUMBER OF CONTINUAL TESTS> + 1.
+// The -parallel test flag or GOMAXPROCS environment variable might be
+// used to adjust the settings.
 func (s *Suite) Execute(c Configuration) {
-	l, err := c.logger(c.T)
-	if err != nil {
-		c.T.Fatal("Failed to build logger:", err)
-		return
-	}
+	l := c.logger(c.T)
 	se := suiteExecution{
 		suite:         enrichSuite(s),
 		configuration: c,
-		failed:        false,
 	}
 	l.Info("🏃 Running upgrade test suite...")
 
 	se.execute()
 
-	if !se.failed {
+	if !c.T.Failed() {
 		l.Info("🥳🎉 Success! Upgrade suite completed without errors.")
 	} else {
 		l.Error("💣🤬💔️ Upgrade suite have failed!")
 	}
 }
 
+func (c Configuration) logger(t *testing.T) *zap.SugaredLogger {
+	return zaptest.NewLogger(t, zaptest.WrapOptions(c.Options...)).Sugar()
+}
+
 // NewOperation creates a new upgrade operation or test.
 func NewOperation(name string, handler func(c Context)) Operation {
 	return &simpleOperation{name: name, handler: handler}
@@ -56,14 +57,14 @@ func NewOperation(name string, handler func(c Context)) Operation {
 
 // NewBackgroundVerification is convenience function to easily setup a
 // background operation that will setup environment and then verify environment
-// status after receiving a StopEvent.
+// status after receiving a stop event.
 func NewBackgroundVerification(name string, setup func(c Context), verify func(c Context)) BackgroundOperation {
 	return NewBackgroundOperation(name, setup, func(bc BackgroundContext) {
 		WaitForStopEvent(bc, WaitForStopEventConfiguration{
 			Name: name,
-			OnStop: func(event StopEvent) {
+			OnStop: func() {
 				verify(Context{
-					T:   event.T,
+					T:   bc.T,
 					Log: bc.Log,
 				})
 			},
@@ -90,8 +91,9 @@ func NewBackgroundOperation(name string, setup func(c Context),
 func WaitForStopEvent(bc BackgroundContext, w WaitForStopEventConfiguration) {
 	for {
 		select {
-		case stopEvent := <-bc.Stop:
-			handleStopEvent(stopEvent, bc, w)
+		case <-bc.Stop:
+			bc.Log.Debugf("%s received a stop event", w.Name)
+			w.OnStop()
 			return
 		default:
 			w.OnWait(bc, w)
@@ -100,32 +102,6 @@ func WaitForStopEvent(bc BackgroundContext, w WaitForStopEventConfiguration) {
 	}
 }
 
-// Name returns a friendly human readable text.
-func (s *StopEvent) Name() string {
-	return s.name
-}
-
-func handleStopEvent(
-	se StopEvent,
-	bc BackgroundContext,
-	wc WaitForStopEventConfiguration,
-) {
-	bc.Log.Debugf("%s have received a stop event: %s", wc.Name, se.Name())
-
-	logFn := se.logger.Info
-	logFn(wrapLog(bc.logBuffer.Dump()))
-
-	defer func() {
-		defer close(se.Finished)
-		if se.T.Failed() {
-			logFn = se.logger.Error
-		}
-		logFn(wrapLog(bc.logBuffer.Dump()))
-	}()
-
-	wc.OnStop(se)
-}
-
 func enrichSuite(s *Suite) *enrichedSuite {
 	es := &enrichedSuite{
 		installations: s.Installations,
@@ -139,7 +115,7 @@ func enrichSuite(s *Suite) *enrichedSuite {
 	for i, test := range s.Tests.Continual {
 		es.tests.continual[i] = stoppableOperation{
 			BackgroundOperation: test,
-			stop:                make(chan StopEvent),
+			stop:                make(chan struct{}),
 		}
 	}
 	return es
@@ -168,64 +144,9 @@ func (s *simpleBackgroundOperation) Setup() func(c Context) {
 
 // Handler will be executed in background while upgrade/downgrade is being
 // executed. It can be used to constantly validate environment during that
-// time and/or wait for StopEvent being sent. After StopEvent is received
+// time and/or wait for a stop event being sent. After a stop event is received
 // user should validate environment, clean up resources, and report found
-// issues to testing.T forwarded in StepEvent.
+// issues to testing.T forwarded in BackgroundContext.
 func (s *simpleBackgroundOperation) Handler() func(bc BackgroundContext) {
 	return s.handler
 }
-
-func (b *threadSafeBuffer) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	b.Mutex.Lock()
-	defer b.Mutex.Unlock()
-	return b.Buffer.Read(p)
-}
-
-func (b *threadSafeBuffer) Write(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	b.Mutex.Lock()
-	defer b.Mutex.Unlock()
-	return b.Buffer.Write(p)
-}
-
-// Dump returns the previous content of the buffer and creates a new
-// empty buffer for future writes.
-func (b *threadSafeBuffer) Dump() string {
-	b.Mutex.Lock()
-	defer b.Mutex.Unlock()
-	buf := b.Buffer.String()
-	b.Buffer = bytes.Buffer{}
-	return buf
-}
-
-// newInMemoryLoggerBuffer creates a logger that writes logs into a byte buffer.
-// This byte buffer is returned and can be used to process the logs at later stage.
-func newInMemoryLoggerBuffer(config Configuration) (*zap.Logger, *threadSafeBuffer) {
-	logConfig := config.logConfig()
-	buf := &threadSafeBuffer{}
-	core := zapcore.NewCore(
-		zapcore.NewConsoleEncoder(logConfig.Config.EncoderConfig),
-		zapcore.AddSync(buf),
-		logConfig.Config.Level)
-
-	var opts []zap.Option
-	if logConfig.Config.Development {
-		opts = append(opts, zap.Development())
-	}
-	if !logConfig.Config.DisableCaller {
-		opts = append(opts, zap.AddCaller())
-	}
-	stackLevel := zap.ErrorLevel
-	if logConfig.Config.Development {
-		stackLevel = zap.WarnLevel
-	}
-	if !logConfig.Config.DisableStacktrace {
-		opts = append(opts, zap.AddStacktrace(stackLevel))
-	}
-	return zap.New(core, opts...), buf
-}
-
-func wrapLog(log string) string {
-	s := strings.Join(strings.Split(log, "\n"), "\n⏳ ")
-	return "Rewind of background logs (prefix ⏳):\n" +
-		"⏳ " + strings.TrimSuffix(s, "⏳ ")
-}
diff --git a/test/upgrade/functions_test.go b/test/upgrade/functions_test.go
index c434d075d..25e5cda49 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/functions_test.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/functions_test.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func TestExpectedTextsForEmptySuite(t *testing.T) {
 func TestExpectedTextsForCompleteSuite(t *testing.T) {
 	assert := assertions{tb: t}
 	fp := notFailing
-	suite := completeSuiteExample(fp)
+	suite := completeSuiteExampleWithFailures(fp)
 	txt := expectedTexts(suite, fp)
 	expected := []string{
 		"1) 💿 Installing base installations. 2 are registered.",
@@ -57,9 +57,8 @@ func TestExpectedTextsForCompleteSuite(t *testing.T) {
 		"2) ✅️️ Testing functionality before upgrade is performed. 2 tests are registered.",
 		`2.1) Testing with "Serving pre upgrade test".`,
 		`2.2) Testing with "Eventing pre upgrade test".`,
-		"3) 🔄 Starting continual tests. 2 tests are registered.",
+		"3) 🔄 Starting continual tests. 1 tests are registered.",
 		`3.1) Starting continual tests of "Serving continual test".`,
-		`3.2) Starting continual tests of "Eventing continual test".`,
 		"4) 📀 Upgrading with 2 registered operations.",
 		`4.1) Upgrading with "Serving HEAD".`,
 		`4.2) Upgrading with "Eventing HEAD".`,
@@ -72,9 +71,6 @@ func TestExpectedTextsForCompleteSuite(t *testing.T) {
 		"7) ✅️️ Testing functionality after downgrade is performed. 2 tests are registered.",
 		`7.1) Testing with "Serving post downgrade test".`,
 		`7.2) Testing with "Eventing post downgrade test".`,
-		"8) ✋ Verifying 2 running continual tests.",
-		`8.1) Verifying "Serving continual test".`,
-		`8.2) Verifying "Eventing continual test".`,
 	}
 	assert.arraysEqual(txt.elms, expected)
 }
@@ -85,7 +81,7 @@ func TestExpectedTextsForFailingCompleteSuite(t *testing.T) {
 		step:    2,
 		element: 1,
 	}
-	suite := completeSuiteExample(fp)
+	suite := completeSuiteExampleWithFailures(fp)
 	txt := expectedTexts(suite, fp)
 	expected := []string{
 		"1) 💿 Installing base installations. 2 are registered.",
@@ -110,22 +106,20 @@ func TestSuiteExecuteEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 
 	txt := expectedTexts(suite, fp)
 	txt.append(upgradeTestRunning, upgradeTestSuccess)
-
 	assert.textContains(output, txt)
 }
 
 func TestSuiteExecuteWithComplete(t *testing.T) {
 	assert := assertions{t}
 	c, buf := newConfig(t)
-	fp := notFailing
-	suite := completeSuiteExample(fp)
+	suite := completeSuite()
 	upgrade.DefaultOnWait = probeOnWaitFunc()
 	suite.Execute(c)
 	output := buf.String()
 	if c.T.Failed() {
 		return
 	}
-	expected := expectedTexts(suite, fp)
+	expected := expectedTexts(suite, notFailing)
 	expected.append(upgradeTestRunning, upgradeTestSuccess)
 	expected.append(
 		"Installing Serving stable 0.17.1",
@@ -134,12 +128,9 @@ func TestSuiteExecuteWithComplete(t *testing.T) {
 		"Installing Eventing HEAD at 12f67cc",
 		"Installing Serving stable 0.17.1",
 		"Installing Eventing stable 0.17.2",
-		"Serving have received a stop event",
-		"Eventing continual test have received a stop event",
+		"Serving received a stop event",
 		"Running Serving continual test",
-		"Stopping and verify of Eventing continual test",
 		"Serving - probing functionality...",
-		"Eventing continual test - probing functionality...",
 	)
 	assert.textContains(output, expected)
 }
diff --git a/test/upgrade/logger.go b/test/upgrade/logger.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 903544286..000000000
--- a/test/upgrade/logger.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,110 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright 2021 The Knative Authors
-
-Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-You may obtain a copy of the License at
-
-    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-
-Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-limitations under the License.
-*/
-
-package upgrade
-
-import (
-	"errors"
-	"fmt"
-	"net/url"
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-
-	"go.uber.org/zap"
-)
-
-const testingTScheme = "testing-t"
-
-var (
-	// ErrInvalidTestingOutputMethod when given invalid testing output method.
-	ErrInvalidTestingOutputMethod = errors.New("invalid testing output method")
-	// ErrNoTestingTRegisteredForTest when no testing.TB registered for test.
-	ErrNoTestingTRegisteredForTest = errors.New("no testing.TB registered for test")
-
-	testingTeeBees = make(map[string]testing.TB)
-)
-
-func (c Configuration) logger(tb testing.TB) (*zap.SugaredLogger, error) {
-	// TODO(mgencur): Remove when dependent repositories use LogConfig instead of Log.
-	// This is for backwards compatibility.
-	if c.Log != nil {
-		return c.Log.Sugar(), nil
-	}
-
-	testName := tb.Name()
-	testingTeeBees[testName] = tb
-	cfg := c.logConfig().Config
-	outs := []string{fmt.Sprintf("%s://Log/%s", testingTScheme, testName)}
-	if isStandardOutputOnly(cfg.OutputPaths) {
-		cfg.OutputPaths = outs
-	} else {
-		cfg.OutputPaths = append(cfg.OutputPaths, outs...)
-	}
-	errOuts := []string{fmt.Sprintf("%s://Error/%s", testingTScheme, testName)}
-	if isStandardOutputOnly(cfg.ErrorOutputPaths) {
-		cfg.ErrorOutputPaths = errOuts
-	} else {
-		cfg.ErrorOutputPaths = append(cfg.ErrorOutputPaths, errOuts...)
-	}
-	err := zap.RegisterSink(testingTScheme, func(url *url.URL) (zap.Sink, error) {
-		var ok bool
-		testName = strings.TrimPrefix(url.Path, "/")
-		tb, ok = testingTeeBees[testName]
-		if !ok {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrNoTestingTRegisteredForTest, testName)
-		}
-		switch url.Host {
-		case "Log":
-			return sink{writer: tb.Log}, nil
-		case "Error":
-			return sink{writer: tb.Error}, nil
-		}
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrInvalidTestingOutputMethod, url.Host)
-	})
-	if err != nil && !strings.HasPrefix(err.Error(), "sink factory already registered") {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	var logger *zap.Logger
-	logger, err = cfg.Build(c.logConfig().Options...)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return logger.Sugar(), nil
-}
-
-type sink struct {
-	writer func(args ...interface{})
-}
-
-func (t sink) Write(bytes []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	msg := string(bytes)
-	t.writer(msg)
-	return len(bytes), nil
-}
-
-func (t sink) Sync() error {
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (t sink) Close() error {
-	return nil
-}
-
-// isStandardOutputOnly checks the output paths and returns true, if they
-// contain only standard outputs.
-func isStandardOutputOnly(paths []string) bool {
-	return len(paths) == 1 && (paths[0] == "stderr" || paths[0] == "stdout")
-}
diff --git a/test/upgrade/private_types.go b/test/upgrade/private_types.go
index d301b5d68..445f9898a 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/private_types.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/private_types.go
@@ -16,15 +16,9 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 package upgrade
 
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"sync"
-)
-
 type suiteExecution struct {
 	suite         *enrichedSuite
 	configuration Configuration
-	failed        bool
 }
 
 type enrichedSuite struct {
@@ -41,7 +35,7 @@ type enrichedTests struct {
 
 type stoppableOperation struct {
 	BackgroundOperation
-	stop chan StopEvent
+	stop chan struct{}
 }
 
 type operationGroup struct {
@@ -63,10 +57,3 @@ type simpleBackgroundOperation struct {
 	setup   func(c Context)
 	handler func(bc BackgroundContext)
 }
-
-// threadSafeBuffer avoids race conditions on bytes.Buffer.
-// See: https://stackoverflow.com/a/36226525/844449
-type threadSafeBuffer struct {
-	bytes.Buffer
-	sync.Mutex
-}
diff --git a/test/upgrade/steps.go b/test/upgrade/steps.go
index e4c270c0a..d5e1a71a9 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/steps.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/steps.go
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ import (
 
 const skippingOperationTemplate = `Skipping "%s" as previous operation have failed`
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) installingBase(num int) {
-	se.processOperationGroup(operationGroup{
+func (se *suiteExecution) installingBase(t *testing.T, num int) {
+	se.processOperationGroup(t, operationGroup{
 		num:                   num,
 		operations:            se.suite.installations.Base,
 		groupName:             "InstallingBase",
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ func (se *suiteExecution) installingBase(num int) {
 	})
 }
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) preUpgradeTests(num int) {
-	se.processOperationGroup(operationGroup{
+func (se *suiteExecution) preUpgradeTests(t *testing.T, num int) {
+	se.processOperationGroup(t, operationGroup{
 		num:                   num,
 		operations:            se.suite.tests.preUpgrade,
 		groupName:             "PreUpgradeTests",
@@ -45,93 +45,43 @@ func (se *suiteExecution) preUpgradeTests(num int) {
 	})
 }
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) startContinualTests(num int) {
+func (se *suiteExecution) runContinualTests(t *testing.T, num int, stopCh <-chan struct{}) {
+	l := se.configuration.logger(t)
 	operations := se.suite.tests.continual
 	groupTemplate := "%d) 🔄 Starting continual tests. " +
 		"%d tests are registered."
 	elementTemplate := `%d.%d) Starting continual tests of "%s".`
 	numOps := len(operations)
-	se.configuration.T.Run("ContinualTests", func(t *testing.T) {
-		l, err := se.configuration.logger(t)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if numOps > 0 {
-			l.Infof(groupTemplate, num, numOps)
-			for i := range operations {
-				operation := operations[i]
-				l.Infof(elementTemplate, num, i+1, operation.Name())
-				if se.failed {
-					l.Debugf(skippingOperationTemplate, operation.Name())
-					return
-				}
+	if numOps > 0 {
+		l.Infof(groupTemplate, num, numOps)
+		for i := range operations {
+			operation := operations[i]
+			l.Debugf(elementTemplate, num, i+1, operation.Name())
+			t.Run(operation.Name(), func(t *testing.T) {
+				l := se.configuration.logger(t)
 				setup := operation.Setup()
-
-				logger, buffer := newInMemoryLoggerBuffer(se.configuration)
-				t.Run("Setup"+operation.Name(), func(t *testing.T) {
-					l, err = se.configuration.logger(t)
-					if err != nil {
-						t.Fatal(err)
-					}
-					setup(Context{T: t, Log: logger.Sugar()})
-				})
-
-				handler := operation.Handler()
-				go func() {
-					handler(BackgroundContext{
-						Log:       logger.Sugar(),
-						Stop:      operation.stop,
-						logBuffer: buffer,
-					})
-				}()
-				se.failed = se.failed || t.Failed()
-				if se.failed {
-					// need to dump logs here, because verify will not be executed.
-					l.Error(wrapLog(buffer.Dump()))
+				setup(Context{T: t, Log: l})
+				if t.Failed() {
 					return
 				}
-			}
-
-		} else {
-			l.Infof("%d) 🔄 No continual tests registered. Skipping.", num)
-		}
-	})
-}
-
-func (se *suiteExecution) verifyContinualTests(num int) {
-	testsCount := len(se.suite.tests.continual)
-	if testsCount > 0 {
-		se.configuration.T.Run("VerifyContinualTests", func(t *testing.T) {
-			l, err := se.configuration.logger(t)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			l.Infof("%d) ✋ Verifying %d running continual tests.", num, testsCount)
-			for i, operation := range se.suite.tests.continual {
-				t.Run(operation.Name(), func(t *testing.T) {
-					l, err = se.configuration.logger(t)
-					if err != nil {
-						t.Fatal(err)
-					}
-					l.Infof(`%d.%d) Verifying "%s".`, num, i+1, operation.Name())
-					finished := make(chan struct{})
-					operation.stop <- StopEvent{
-						T:        t,
-						Finished: finished,
-						logger:   l,
-						name:     "Stop of " + operation.Name(),
-					}
-					<-finished
-					se.failed = se.failed || t.Failed()
-					l.Debugf(`Finished "%s"`, operation.Name())
+				t.Parallel()
+				handle := operation.Handler()
+				// Blocking operation.
+				handle(BackgroundContext{
+					T:    t,
+					Log:  l,
+					Stop: stopCh,
 				})
-			}
-		})
+				l.Debugf(`Finished "%s"`, operation.Name())
+			})
+		}
+	} else {
+		l.Infof("%d) 🔄 No continual tests registered. Skipping.", num)
 	}
 }
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) upgradeWith(num int) {
-	se.processOperationGroup(operationGroup{
+func (se *suiteExecution) upgradeWith(t *testing.T, num int) {
+	se.processOperationGroup(t, operationGroup{
 		num:                   num,
 		operations:            se.suite.installations.UpgradeWith,
 		groupName:             "UpgradeWith",
@@ -141,8 +91,8 @@ func (se *suiteExecution) upgradeWith(num int) {
 	})
 }
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) postUpgradeTests(num int) {
-	se.processOperationGroup(operationGroup{
+func (se *suiteExecution) postUpgradeTests(t *testing.T, num int) {
+	se.processOperationGroup(t, operationGroup{
 		num:                   num,
 		operations:            se.suite.tests.postUpgrade,
 		groupName:             "PostUpgradeTests",
@@ -153,8 +103,8 @@ func (se *suiteExecution) postUpgradeTests(num int) {
 	})
 }
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) downgradeWith(num int) {
-	se.processOperationGroup(operationGroup{
+func (se *suiteExecution) downgradeWith(t *testing.T, num int) {
+	se.processOperationGroup(t, operationGroup{
 		num:                   num,
 		operations:            se.suite.installations.DowngradeWith,
 		groupName:             "DowngradeWith",
@@ -164,8 +114,8 @@ func (se *suiteExecution) downgradeWith(num int) {
 	})
 }
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) postDowngradeTests(num int) {
-	se.processOperationGroup(operationGroup{
+func (se *suiteExecution) postDowngradeTests(t *testing.T, num int) {
+	se.processOperationGroup(t, operationGroup{
 		num:                   num,
 		operations:            se.suite.tests.postDowngrade,
 		groupName:             "PostDowngradeTests",
diff --git a/test/upgrade/suite_examples_test.go b/test/upgrade/suite_examples_test.go
index caea9025c..355735c61 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/suite_examples_test.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/suite_examples_test.go
@@ -69,11 +69,6 @@ var (
 			element:  `%d.%d) Testing with "%s".`,
 			skipped:  "%d) ✅️️ No post downgrade tests registered. Skipping.",
 		}),
-		verifyContinual: createMessages(formats{
-			starting: "%d) ✋ Verifying %d running continual tests.",
-			element:  `%d.%d) Verifying "%s".`,
-			skipped:  "",
-		}),
 	}
 )
 
@@ -111,7 +106,7 @@ func servingComponent() component {
 					bc.Log.Info("Running Serving continual test")
 					upgrade.WaitForStopEvent(bc, upgrade.WaitForStopEventConfiguration{
 						Name: "Serving",
-						OnStop: func(event upgrade.StopEvent) {
+						OnStop: func() {
 							bc.Log.Info("Stopping and verify of Serving continual test")
 							time.Sleep(shortWait)
 						},
@@ -150,16 +145,6 @@ func eventingComponent() component {
 				c.Log.Info("Running Eventing post downgrade test")
 				time.Sleep(shortWait)
 			}),
-			continual: upgrade.NewBackgroundVerification("Eventing continual test",
-				func(c upgrade.Context) {
-					c.Log.Info("Setup of Eventing continual test")
-					time.Sleep(shortWait)
-				},
-				func(c upgrade.Context) {
-					c.Log.Info("Stopping and verify of Eventing continual test")
-					time.Sleep(shortWait)
-				},
-			),
 		},
 	}
 }
diff --git a/test/upgrade/suite_execution.go b/test/upgrade/suite_execution.go
index 9f1783e68..cca5d23f7 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/suite_execution.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/suite_execution.go
@@ -20,30 +20,22 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
-func (se *suiteExecution) processOperationGroup(op operationGroup) {
-	se.configuration.T.Run(op.groupName, func(t *testing.T) {
-		l, err := se.configuration.logger(t)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
+func (se *suiteExecution) processOperationGroup(t *testing.T, op operationGroup) {
+	t.Run(op.groupName, func(t *testing.T) {
+		l := se.configuration.logger(t)
 		if len(op.operations) > 0 {
 			l.Infof(op.groupTemplate, op.num, len(op.operations))
 			for i, operation := range op.operations {
 				l.Infof(op.elementTemplate, op.num, i+1, operation.Name())
-				if se.failed {
+				if t.Failed() {
 					l.Debugf(skippingOperationTemplate, operation.Name())
 					return
 				}
 				handler := operation.Handler()
 				t.Run(operation.Name(), func(t *testing.T) {
-					l, err = se.configuration.logger(t)
-					if err != nil {
-						t.Fatal(err)
-					}
 					handler(Context{T: t, Log: l})
 				})
-				se.failed = se.failed || t.Failed()
-				if se.failed {
+				if t.Failed() {
 					return
 				}
 			}
@@ -55,38 +47,50 @@ func (se *suiteExecution) processOperationGroup(op operationGroup) {
 
 func (se *suiteExecution) execute() {
 	idx := 1
-	operations := []func(num int){
+	stopCh := make(chan struct{})
+	t := se.configuration.T
+	operations := []func(t *testing.T, num int){
 		se.installingBase,
 		se.preUpgradeTests,
 	}
 	for _, operation := range operations {
-		operation(idx)
+		operation(t, idx)
 		idx++
-		if se.failed {
+		if t.Failed() {
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
-	se.startContinualTests(idx)
-	idx++
-	if se.failed {
-		return
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		se.verifyContinualTests(idx)
-	}()
+	t.Run("Run", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Calls t.Parallel() after doing setup phase. The second part runs in parallel
+		// with Steps below.
+		se.runContinualTests(t, idx, stopCh)
 
-	operations = []func(num int){
-		se.upgradeWith,
-		se.postUpgradeTests,
-		se.downgradeWith,
-		se.postDowngradeTests,
-	}
-	for _, operation := range operations {
-		operation(idx)
 		idx++
-		if se.failed {
+		// At this point only the setup phase of continual tests was done. We want
+		// to quit early in the event of failures.
+		if t.Failed() {
+			close(stopCh)
 			return
 		}
-	}
+
+		operations = []func(t *testing.T, num int){
+			se.upgradeWith,
+			se.postUpgradeTests,
+			se.downgradeWith,
+			se.postDowngradeTests,
+		}
+		t.Run("Steps", func(t *testing.T) {
+			defer close(stopCh)
+			// The rest of this test group will run in parallel with individual continual tests.
+			t.Parallel()
+			for _, operation := range operations {
+				operation(t, idx)
+				idx++
+				if t.Failed() {
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	})
 }
diff --git a/test/upgrade/testing_operations_test.go b/test/upgrade/testing_operations_test.go
index 3322f8237..0142aefe2 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/testing_operations_test.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/testing_operations_test.go
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ limitations under the License.
 package upgrade_test
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -32,25 +31,25 @@ const (
 )
 
 func newConfig(t *testing.T) (upgrade.Configuration, fmt.Stringer) {
-	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	buf := threadSafeBuffer{}
 	cfg := zap.NewDevelopmentConfig()
 	cfg.EncoderConfig.TimeKey = ""
 	cfg.EncoderConfig.CallerKey = ""
 	syncedBuf := zapcore.AddSync(&buf)
-	c := upgrade.Configuration{
-		T: t,
-		LogConfig: upgrade.LogConfig{
-			Config: cfg,
-			Options: []zap.Option{
-				zap.WrapCore(func(core zapcore.Core) zapcore.Core {
-					return zapcore.NewCore(
-						zapcore.NewConsoleEncoder(cfg.EncoderConfig),
-						zapcore.NewMultiWriteSyncer(syncedBuf), cfg.Level)
-				}),
-				zap.ErrorOutput(syncedBuf),
-			},
+	logConfig := upgrade.LogConfig{
+		Options: []zap.Option{
+			zap.WrapCore(func(core zapcore.Core) zapcore.Core {
+				return zapcore.NewCore(
+					zapcore.NewConsoleEncoder(cfg.EncoderConfig),
+					zapcore.NewMultiWriteSyncer(syncedBuf), cfg.Level)
+			}),
+			zap.ErrorOutput(syncedBuf),
 		},
 	}
+	c := upgrade.Configuration{
+		T:         t,
+		LogConfig: logConfig,
+	}
 	return c, &buf
 }
 
@@ -98,12 +97,6 @@ func createSteps(s upgrade.Suite) []*step {
 		updateSuite: func(ops operations, s *upgrade.Suite) {
 			s.Tests.PostDowngrade = ops.asOperations()
 		},
-	}, {
-		messages: messageFormatters.verifyContinual,
-		ops:      continualTestsGeneralized,
-		updateSuite: func(ops operations, s *upgrade.Suite) {
-			s.Tests.Continual = ops.asBackgroundOperation()
-		},
 	}}
 }
 
@@ -171,10 +164,10 @@ func (tt *texts) append(messages ...string) {
 	}
 }
 
-func completeSuiteExample(fp failurePoint) upgrade.Suite {
+func completeSuite() upgrade.Suite {
 	serving := servingComponent()
 	eventing := eventingComponent()
-	suite := upgrade.Suite{
+	return upgrade.Suite{
 		Tests: upgrade.Tests{
 			PreUpgrade: []upgrade.Operation{
 				serving.tests.preUpgrade, eventing.tests.preUpgrade,
@@ -186,7 +179,7 @@ func completeSuiteExample(fp failurePoint) upgrade.Suite {
 				serving.tests.postDowngrade, eventing.tests.postDowngrade,
 			},
 			Continual: []upgrade.BackgroundOperation{
-				serving.tests.continual, eventing.tests.continual,
+				serving.tests.continual,
 			},
 		},
 		Installations: upgrade.Installations{
@@ -201,7 +194,10 @@ func completeSuiteExample(fp failurePoint) upgrade.Suite {
 			},
 		},
 	}
-	return enrichSuiteWithFailures(suite, fp)
+}
+
+func completeSuiteExampleWithFailures(fp failurePoint) upgrade.Suite {
+	return enrichSuiteWithFailures(completeSuite(), fp)
 }
 
 func emptySuiteExample() upgrade.Suite {
@@ -254,8 +250,8 @@ func (o *operation) fail(setupFail bool) {
 	} else {
 		prev := o.bg
 		o.bg = upgrade.NewBackgroundOperation(testName, func(c upgrade.Context) {
-			handler := prev.Setup()
-			handler(c)
+			setup := prev.Setup()
+			setup(c)
 			if setupFail {
 				c.T.Error(failureTestingMessage)
 				c.Log.Error(failureTestingMessage)
@@ -263,9 +259,9 @@ func (o *operation) fail(setupFail bool) {
 		}, func(bc upgrade.BackgroundContext) {
 			upgrade.WaitForStopEvent(bc, upgrade.WaitForStopEventConfiguration{
 				Name: testName,
-				OnStop: func(event upgrade.StopEvent) {
+				OnStop: func() {
 					if !setupFail {
-						event.T.Error(failureTestingMessage)
+						bc.T.Error(failureTestingMessage)
 						bc.Log.Error(failureTestingMessage)
 					}
 				},
diff --git a/test/upgrade/testing_types_test.go b/test/upgrade/testing_types_test.go
index d63995cc8..f76359d66 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/testing_types_test.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/testing_types_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,12 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 package upgrade_test
 
-import "knative.dev/pkg/test/upgrade"
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"sync"
+
+	"knative.dev/pkg/test/upgrade"
+)
 
 type failurePoint struct {
 	step    int
@@ -57,14 +62,13 @@ type messages struct {
 }
 
 type messageFormatterRepository struct {
-	baseInstall     messages
-	preUpgrade      messages
-	startContinual  messages
-	upgrade         messages
-	postUpgrade     messages
-	downgrade       messages
-	postDowngrade   messages
-	verifyContinual messages
+	baseInstall    messages
+	preUpgrade     messages
+	startContinual messages
+	upgrade        messages
+	postUpgrade    messages
+	downgrade      messages
+	postDowngrade  messages
 }
 
 type component struct {
@@ -83,3 +87,22 @@ type tests struct {
 	continual     upgrade.BackgroundOperation
 	postDowngrade upgrade.Operation
 }
+
+// threadSafeBuffer avoids race conditions on bytes.Buffer.
+// See: https://stackoverflow.com/a/36226525/844449
+type threadSafeBuffer struct {
+	bytes.Buffer
+	sync.Mutex
+}
+
+func (b *threadSafeBuffer) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
+	b.Mutex.Lock()
+	defer b.Mutex.Unlock()
+	return b.Buffer.Read(p)
+}
+
+func (b *threadSafeBuffer) Write(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
+	b.Mutex.Lock()
+	defer b.Mutex.Unlock()
+	return b.Buffer.Write(p)
+}
diff --git a/test/upgrade/types.go b/test/upgrade/types.go
index e46a516a4..2c93e922d 100644
--- a/test/upgrade/types.go
+++ b/test/upgrade/types.go
@@ -81,35 +81,22 @@ type Context struct {
 }
 
 // BackgroundContext is a upgrade test execution context that will be passed
-// down to each handler of BackgroundOperation. It contains a StopEvent channel
-// which end user should use to obtain a testing.T for error reporting. Until
-// StopEvent is sent user may use zap.SugaredLogger to log state of execution if
-// necessary. The logs are stored in a threadSafeBuffer and flushed to the test
-// output when the test fails.
+// down to each handler of BackgroundOperation. It contains a stop event channel.
+// Until stop event is sent user may use zap.SugaredLogger to log state of execution if
+// necessary.
 type BackgroundContext struct {
-	Log       *zap.SugaredLogger
-	Stop      <-chan StopEvent
-	logBuffer *threadSafeBuffer
-}
-
-// StopEvent represents an event that is to be received by background operation
-// to indicate that is should stop it's operations and validate results using
-// passed T. User should use Finished channel to signalize upgrade suite that
-// all stop & verify operations are finished and it is safe to end tests.
-type StopEvent struct {
-	T        *testing.T
-	Finished chan<- struct{}
-	name     string
-	logger   *zap.SugaredLogger
+	T    *testing.T
+	Log  *zap.SugaredLogger
+	Stop <-chan struct{}
 }
 
 // WaitForStopEventConfiguration holds a values to be used be WaitForStopEvent
-// function. OnStop will be called when StopEvent is sent. OnWait will be
+// function. OnStop will be called when a stop event is sent. OnWait will be
 // invoked in a loop while waiting, and each wait act is driven by WaitTime
 // amount.
 type WaitForStopEventConfiguration struct {
 	Name     string
-	OnStop   func(event StopEvent)
+	OnStop   func()
 	OnWait   func(bc BackgroundContext, self WaitForStopEventConfiguration)
 	WaitTime time.Duration
 }
@@ -117,24 +104,14 @@ type WaitForStopEventConfiguration struct {
 // Configuration holds required and optional configuration to run upgrade tests.
 type Configuration struct {
 	T *testing.T
-	// TODO(mgencur): Remove when dependent repositories migrate to LogConfig.
-	// Keep this for backwards compatibility.
-	Log *zap.Logger
 	LogConfig
 }
 
-func (c Configuration) logConfig() LogConfig {
-	if len(c.LogConfig.Config.OutputPaths) == 0 {
-		c.LogConfig.Config = zap.NewDevelopmentConfig()
-	}
-	return c.LogConfig
-}
-
 // LogConfig holds the logger configuration. It allows for passing just the
-// logger configuration and also a custom function for building the resulting
-// logger.
+// logger configuration options.
 type LogConfig struct {
 	// Config from which the zap.Logger be created.
+	// Deprecated: This config doesn't have effect. Use Options instead.
 	Config zap.Config
 	// Options holds options for the zap.Logger.
 	Options []zap.Option