Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
Software testing is an indispensable part of the software development process, ensuring that the final product is of high quality and meets the expectations of users. Within this broader context, the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) provides a structured approach for Quality Assurance (QA) engineers to systematically test and validate software. Let’s delve into the six phases of the STLC, each with its own defined entry and exit criteria, activities, and deliverables, through the lens of a QA engineer.
Phase 1: Requirement Analysis
In the initial phase of the STLC, QA engineers engage in a thorough evaluation of the feature requirements collected during the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The aim is to identify the testable aspects of the software. This involves a meticulous examination of functional and non-functional requirements, discerning what the software should do and its inherent characteristics. This phase may also require QA engineers to collaborate with stakeholders to clarify any ambiguities in the requirements. An important aspect considered here is the feasibility of automating the testing process.
Entry Criteria: Documented requirements, acceptance criteria, and intended product architecture.
Exit Criteria: Approved requirement traceability matrix (RTM) and an automation feasibility report.
Phase 2: Test Planning
In this phase, QA engineers outline the overall test strategy within a comprehensive test plan document. This strategy encompasses various elements, including the necessary testing tools, the sequence of testing steps, and the roles and responsibilities of team members. Determining this strategy involves conducting risk and cost analyses to ascertain potential challenges and resource requirements. A well-structured timeline for the testing process is also established during this phase.
Entry Criteria: Completed requirement analysis, RTM, and automation feasibility report.
Exit Criteria: Approved test plan, including timelines, risk and cost analyses.
Phase 3: Test Case Development
With the test plan in place, QA engineers proceed to create detailed test cases. Each test case defines essential components such as test inputs, execution procedures, conditions for execution, and anticipated outcomes. Test cases are crafted to be transparent, efficient, and adaptable, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the software’s functionalities. It is imperative that all aspects of the software are covered, with the ultimate goal of achieving 100% test coverage. Additionally, any automation scripts required for testing are developed during this phase.
Entry Criteria: Approved test plan, including timelines and risk/cost analysis.
Exit Criteria: Approved test cases and automation scripts.
Phase 4: Test Environment Setup
The fourth phase involves configuring and deploying the necessary testing environments. QA engineers set up the testing environment, which may include a range of testing tools such as TestComplete, Selenium, Appium, or Katalon Studio. In some cases, this phase also entails the establishment of test servers. The deployed environments are subject to smoke tests to verify that all intended functionality is operational and that the environment functions as expected.
Entry Criteria: System design and project architecture definitions.
Exit Criteria: Fully functional test environment and approved test cases.
Phase 5: Test Execution
With the test environment ready, QA engineers proceed to execute the established test cases in the deployed environment. During this phase, features of the software are rigorously tested, and the results are compared against the expected outcomes. Any discrepancies or defects found are meticulously documented and reported back to the development teams. This phase represents a critical stage of the STLC, where the software’s functionality and performance are thoroughly evaluated.
Entry Criteria: Completion of all exit criteria from the previous phases.
Exit Criteria: Successful execution of all test cases and comprehensive documentation of results.
Phase 6: Test Cycle Closure
As the final phase of the STLC, the Test Cycle Closure involves preparing a comprehensive test result report. This report serves as a summary of the entire testing process and provides a detailed comparison between the expected and actual outcomes. The report encompasses various aspects, including objectives achieved, time taken, overall costs, test coverage, and any defects identified. The Test Cycle Closure phase serves as a key reference point for assessing the success of the testing effort and determining the readiness of the software for release.
Entry Criteria: Aggregated test results and logs from all preceding phases.
Exit Criteria: Delivery and approval of the test closure report.
Software Testing Life Cycle is a structured framework that guides QA engineers through a series of meticulously planned phases, ensuring that the software is thoroughly tested and validated before reaching users. Each phase contributes to the overall quality assurance process, allowing teams to identify and address defects early, optimize testing strategies, and deliver a software product that aligns with user expectations. By adhering to the STLC, QA engineers play a crucial role in enhancing the reliability and performance of software systems.
