Software Test Life Cycle (STLC) Importance
Software testing is a crucial component of the software development life cycle as it helps to ensure that the software meets the client’s requirements and goals. The primary objective of software testing is to identify and address defects and errors prior to implementation, as addressing them after deployment can result in high costs and negatively impact the business.
By testing software, you can maintain its quality, build user trust, and reduce maintenance costs. There are various approaches to software testing, but the most effective method is one that aligns with agile principles and enables rapid testing. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the software testing life cycle (STLC) and discuss the various stages of software testing.
Table of Contents
2.1. Requirement Analysis
2.2. Test Planning
2.3. Test Case Design
2.5. Test Execution
2.6. STLC Closure
What is Software Testing Life Cycle?
In simple terms, STLC is a series of well-defined activities that software testers must complete to ensure software quality. Each step in the testing process must be carried out systematically and in sequence, with different goals and deliverables at the end of each phase.
While different companies may have their own STLC, the fundamental structure of the testing procedure remains the same. Essentially, it is a method that formalizes how the testing process is conducted
Stages of Software Testing Life Cycle
Testing during the software development process requires close attention to detail and methodical approach. This is why software testing is broken down into different stages:
- Requirements Analysis
- Test Planning
- Test Case Design
- Test Environment Setup
- Test Execution
- STLC Closure
Every stage comprises particular tasks and outcomes that guarantee thorough evaluation of the software and fulfill the demands of end-users. To understand software testing life cycle, let’s explore each stage in detail and its respective testing levels.
1. Requirements Analysis
The first step of STLC is Requirement Analysis. In this stage, testers analyze the software requirements to ensure they are clear, complete, and testable. This is important to ensure that the software is developed according to the specifications.
During the Requirement Analysis stage, the following activities take place:
01
Reviewing the software requirements document (SRD) and other related documents
02
Conducting interviews with stakeholders to gather additional information
03
Identifying ambiguities or inconsistencies in the requirements
04
Identifying missing or incomplete requirements
05
Identifying potential risks or issues that may impact the testing process
06
Creating a requirement traceability matrix (RTM) to map requirements to test cases
By the end of this stage, the testing team should have a clear understanding of the software requirements and any potential issues that may impact the testing process.
2. Test Planning
The following stage is referred to as Test Planning. In this phase, testers create a plan that outlines the testing strategy, objectives, timelines, and resources required for the testing process. The plan is based on the software requirements, risk assessment, and the types of testing required.
During the Test Planning stage, the following activities take place:
01
Identification of testing objectives and scope
02
Development of test strategy by selecting the testing methods and techniques that will be used
03
Identification of testing environment and resources needed
04
Identification of test cases that will be executed and test data that will be used
05
Estimation of time and cost required for testing
06
Identification of test deliverables and milestones
07
Assignment of roles and responsibilities to the testing team
08
Review and approval of the test plan
By the conclusion of the this stage, the team should possess a comprehensive plan for the activities to be carried out, and a thorough comprehension of the objectives, scope, and deliverables. This will aid in ensuring that the testing process is well-structured and can provide superior results.
3. Test Case Design
Next phase of the STLC is called Case Design or Test Case Development. In this stage, the team create cases that describe the steps required to test the software. These cases should cover all possible scenarios to ensure detecting the maximum number of possible faults and issues in the software. The quality and efficiency of the test cases designed during this stage play a vital role in the overall success of the testing process.
During the Test Case Design stage, the following activities take place:
01
Identification of the test cases that will be developed
02
Writing of test cases that are unambiguous, succinct, and easy to understand
03
Creation of test data and test scenarios that will be utilized in the test cases
04
Identification of the anticipated results for each test case
05
Review and validation of the test cases
06
Updating of the RTM to associate requirements with test cases
Upon completion of the Test Case Design stage, the testing team should possess a set of test cases that offer sufficient coverage of the software or application. This guarantees that the testing process is comprehensive and that all possible issues are detected and resolved prior to the release of the software.
4. Test Environment Setup
Once the Case Development is completed, the Environment Setup phase begins. In this stage, testers set up the required hardware, software, and testing tools to create an environment where testing can be performed effectively.
During the Environment Setup stage, the following activities take place:
01
Running test cases and scripts to identify defects or issues
02
Logging any defects found during test execution in a defect tracking system, including severity, priority, and a detailed description
03
Preparing and loading test data into the system for test execution
04
Setting up necessary hardware, software, and network configurations for test execution
05
Analyzing the results of the test execution to determine software performance and identify defects or issues
06
Retesting any defects found during test execution to ensure proper fixing
07
Documenting and reporting test results to relevant stakeholders for visibility into the testing process
5. Test Execution
The next step of STLC is Test Execution. In this phase, the actual testing is performed according to the test plan and developed cases. During this stage team execute the tests, document the results, and report any defects.
During the Test Execution stage, the following activities take place:
01
Running tests according to the previously created test plan
02
Recording the results of the tests and documenting any defects or issues that were found during testing
03
Updating the RTM to map defects to their corresponding test case
04
Re-testing any defects that were fixed to ensure that they have been resolved properly
05
Monitoring and tracking defects until they are fully resolved and closed
The results of the Test Execution stage include a completed RTM that shows the status of each requirement and whether it has been tested successfully or not. The test cases are updated with the results and any bugs found, documented, and tracked until they are resolved.
Some software development teams may have a separate stage for test reporting and fixing. In this stage, testers review the reported defects and prioritize them based on their severity and impact on the software. After resolving the issues, they conduct regression testing to ensure that the fixes have not introduced any new defects.
6. STLC Closure
The Test Closure stage is the final step in the STLC, which involves completing and documenting all testing-related activities. Its primary goal is to ensure that all previous phases have been finished, and the software is ready for release.
During the test closure stage, the testing team gains a clear understanding of the software’s quality and reliability, and all defects or issues identified during testing should be addressed. Additionally, the testing process is documented, and lessons learned are recorded to improve future testing processes.
The outcome of the STLC Closure typically includes:
01
A final report summarizing the overall process, including the number of test cases executed, defects found, and the pass/fail rate.
02
All defects identified during testing are tracked and managed until they are resolved.
03
The test environment is cleaned up, and all test data and artifacts are archived for future reference.
04
A report documenting all testing-related activities is created, including testing objectives, scope, schedule, and resources used.
05
Knowledge and feedback about the software and testing process are shared with the team and stakeholders to facilitate future maintenance and support.
06
Feedback from the testing process is collected and used to improve future testing processes.
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Testing Life Cycle in PFLB
Software testing life cycle are essential for successful software development and cost management. Late testing can cause project delays and affect the quality of the product, making it important to perform all stages of software testing diligently.
PFLB is a top software testing provider with a track record of over 300 successful projects across various industries, including banking, healthcare, and retail. We offer continuous testing, integration, and delivery, and leverage test automation to speed up product launches and lower costs.
