What Is Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)?

Software Testing:

In this tutorial, we discuss the Evolution of Software Testing, the Software Testing Life Cycle, and the various phases involved in STLC.

Table of Contents:

• 8 Phases of Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
• What is Lifecycle?
• What is the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
  • Conclusion
  • Was this helpful?
  • Recommended Reading

8 Phases of Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)

Evolution:

1960’s Trend:

1990’s Trend

2000’s Trend:

The trend and competency of testing are changing. Testers are now required to be more technical and process-oriented. Testing now is not only limited just to finding bugs but has a wider scope and is required right from the beginning of the project when the requirements are not even finalized.

Since testing is also standardized. Just like the development of software has a lifecycle, Testing has a lifecycle. In the subsequent sections, I will be discussing what a life cycle is and how that is related to software testing and will try to elaborate on it.

Let us start!

What is Lifecycle?

Lifecycle in the simple term refers to the sequence of changes from one form to another form. These changes can happen to any tangible or intangible things. Every entity has a lifecycle from its inception to retirement/demise.

Similarly, Software is also an entity. Just like developing software involves a sequence of steps, testing also has steps that should be executed in a definite sequence.

This phenomenon of executing the testing activities in a systematic and planned way is called the testing life cycle.

What is the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)

Software Testing Life Cycle refers to a testing process that has specific steps to be executed in a definite sequence to ensure that the quality goals have been met. In the STLC process, each activity is carried out in a planned and systematic way. Each phase has different goals and deliverables. Different organizations have different phases in STLC; however, the basis remains the same.

Below are the phases of STLC:

1. Requirements phase
2. Planning Phase
3. Analysis phase
4. Design Phase
5. Implementation Phase
6. Execution Phase
7. Conclusion Phase
8. Closure Phase

#1. Requirement Phase:

During this phase of STLC, analyze and study the requirements. Have brainstorming sessions with other teams and try to find out whether the requirements are testable or not. This phase helps to identify the scope of the testing. If any feature is not testable, communicate it during this phase so that the mitigation strategy can be planned.

#2. Planning Phase:

In practical scenarios, Test planning is the first step of the testing process. In this phase, we identify the activities and resources that would help to meet the testing objectives. During planning, we also try to identify the metrics and the method of gathering and tracking those metrics.

On what basis the planning is done? Only requirements?

The answer is NO. Requirements do form one of the bases but 2 other very important factors influence test planning. These are:

– Test the strategy of the organization.– Risk analysis / Risk Management and mitigation.

Further Reading => Software Testing: A Complete Guide with Advanced Concepts

#3. Analysis Phase:

This STLC phase defines “WHAT” to be tested. We identify the test conditions through the requirements document, product risks, and other test bases. The test condition should be traceable back to the requirement.

Various factors affect the identification of test conditions:

– Levels and depth of testing– The complexity of the product– Product and project risks– Software development life cycle involved.– Test management– Skills and knowledge of the team.– Availability of the stakeholders.

We should try to write down the test conditions in a detailed way. For example, for an e-commerce web application, you can have a test condition as “User should be able to make a payment”. Or you can detail it by saying “User should be able to make payment through NEFT, debit card, and credit card”.

The most important advantage of writing the detailed test condition is that it increases the test coverage since the test cases will be written based on the test condition, these details will trigger the writing of more detailed test cases which will eventually increase the coverage.

Also, identify the exit criteria of the testing, i.e. determine some conditions when you will stop the testing.

#4. Design Phase:

This phase defines “HOW” to test. This phase involves the following tasks:

– Detail the test condition. Break down the test conditions into multiple sub-conditions to increase coverage.– Identify and get the test data– Identify and set up the test environment.– Create the requirement traceability metrics– Create test coverage metrics.

#5. Implementation Phase:

The major task in this STLC phase is the creation of detailed test cases. Prioritize the test cases and also identify which test case will become part of the regression suite. Before finalizing the test case, It is important to review it to ensure the correctness of the test cases. Also, don’t forget to take the sign-off of the test cases before the actual execution starts.

If your project involves automation, identify the candidate test cases for automation and proceed with scripting the test cases. Don’t forget to review them!

#6. Execution Phase:

As the name suggests, this is the Software Testing Life Cycle phase where the actual execution takes place. But before you start your execution, make sure that your entry criterion is met. Execute the test cases, and log defects in case of any discrepancy. Simultaneously fill your traceability metrics to track your progress.

#7. Conclusion Phase:

This STLC phase concentrates on the exit criteria and reporting. Depending on your project and stakeholders’ choice, you can decide on reporting whether you want to send out a daily report or a weekly report, etc.

There are different types of reports ( DSR – Daily status report, WSR – Weekly status reports) that you can send, but the important point is, that the content of the report changes and depends upon whom you are sending your reports.

If Project managers have a testing background then they are more interested in the technical aspect of the project, so include the technical things in your report ( number of test cases passed, failed, defects raised, severity 1 defects, etc.).

But if you are reporting to upper stakeholders, they might not be interested in the technical things so report to them about the risks that have been mitigated through the testing.

#8. Closure Phase:

Tasks for the closure activities include the following:

– Check for the completion of the test. Whether all the test cases are executed or mitigated deliberately. Check there is no severity 1 defects opened.– Do lessons learned meetings and create a lessons learned document. ( Include what went well, where are the scope of improvements, and what can be improved)

Conclusion

Let’s try to summarize the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) now!

S.No	Phase Name	Entry Criteria	Activities Performed	Deliverables
1	Requirements	Requirements specification document Application design document User acceptance criteria document	Do brainstorming of the requirements. Create a list of requirements and get your doubts clarified. Understand the feasibility of the requirements whether it is testable or not. If your project requires automation, do the automation feasibility study.	RUD ( Requirements understanding document. Testing feasibility report Automation feasibility report.
2	Planning	Updated requirements document. Test feasibility reports “ Automation feasibility report.	Define the scope of the project Do the risk analysis and prepare the risk mitigation plan. Perform test estimation. Determine the overall testing strategy and process. Identify the tools and resources and check for any training needs. Identify the environment.	Test Plan document. Risk mitigation document. Test estimation document.
3	Analysis	Updated requirements document Test Plan document Risk Document Test estimation document	Identify the detailed test conditions	Test conditions document.
4	Design	Updated requirements document Test conditions document	Detail out the test condition. Identify the test data Create the traceability metrics	Detailed test condition document Requirement traceability metrics Test coverage metrics
5	Implementation	Detailed test condition document	Create and review the test cases. Create and review the automation scripts. Identify the candidate test cases for regression and automation. Identify / create the test data Take sign off of the test cases and scripts.	Test cases Test scripts Test data
6	Execution	Test cases Test scripts	Execute the test cases Log bugs / defects in case of discrepancy Report the status	Test execution report Defect report Test log and Defect log Updated requirement traceability metrics
7	Conclusion	Updated test cases with results Test closure conditions	Provide the accurate figures and result of testing Identify the risks which are mitigated	Updated traceability metrics Test summary report Updated risk management report
8	Closure	Test closure condition Test summary report	Do the retrospective meting and understand the lessons learnt	Lessons learnt document Test matrices Test closure report.

HAPPY TESTING!!

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