Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a systematic and structured approach to verify and validate that a software application meets specified requirements and functions as intended. It encompasses a series of phases, each with specific objectives and activities, ensuring a thorough and efficient testing process. Let’s delve into the key stages of the Software Testing Life Cycle:
1. Requirement Analysis:
- In this initial phase, testers closely examine the project requirements to gain a clear understanding of the software’s functionalities.
- Testers collaborate with stakeholders to gather comprehensive information, ensuring that testing scenarios align with business objectives.
2. Test Planning:
- Test planning involves developing a comprehensive strategy for the testing process, outlining the scope, resources, schedule, and approach.
- Testers define test objectives, select testing techniques, and allocate resources based on project requirements.
3. Test Case Design:
- This phase focuses on creating detailed test cases based on the identified requirements and testing scenarios.
- Testers outline the input data, expected results, and execution steps to ensure systematic and thorough testing coverage.
4. Environment Setup:
- Testers establish the testing environment, including hardware, software, and network configurations, to mirror the production environment.
- Ensuring a stable and representative environment is crucial for accurate testing results.
5. Test Execution:
- During this phase, test cases are executed, and the software is evaluated against expected outcomes.
- Testers document and report any deviations from expected results, enabling developers to address and rectify issues.
6. Defect Reporting:
- Detected defects are documented in a detailed manner, providing developers with information needed for efficient debugging.
- Defects are categorised based on severity and priority to aid in effective issue resolution.
7. Defect Retesting:
- After developers address reported defects, the affected areas are retested to ensure successful resolution.
- This iterative process continues until all reported issues are successfully addressed and verified.
8. Regression Testing:
- As the software evolves, regression testing is performed to confirm that new changes do not adversely impact existing functionalities.
- Testers re-run selected test cases to validate the integrity of the overall system.
9. Test Closure:
- The final phase involves formally concluding the testing process and providing a summary report.
- Testers assess whether the testing goals were achieved, document lessons learned, and propose improvements for future projects.
