Understanding the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)

Understanding the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) with an Example

The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a crucial part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). It defines a series of activities conducted to perform software testing and ensure the quality of the software product. In this post, we will explore each stage of the STLC with an example, highlighting its importance and the key activities involved.

What is STLC?

STLC stands for Software Testing Life Cycle. It comprises multiple phases, each aimed at ensuring the software product meets quality standards before it is released. While STLC is a subset of the SDLC, its focus is specifically on the testing aspect. Each phase in the STLC has specific entry and exit criteria, deliverables, and activities.

Stages of STLC

1. Requirement Analysis

Objective: Understand the requirements from a testing perspective.

Activities:

• Review the requirements documents.
• Identify the types of tests to be performed.
• Determine testable requirements.
• Identify test environment details where testing is supposed to be carried out.
• Create a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM).

Example: Consider a new feature in an e-commerce application where users can apply discount codes during checkout. In the requirement analysis phase, testers will review the requirements to understand how discount codes should work, identify edge cases (e.g., expired codes, invalid codes), and determine what needs to be tested.

2. Test Planning

Objective: Define the scope, approach, resources, and schedule for testing.

Activities:

• Prepare the test plan document.
• Identify testing tools.
• Define roles and responsibilities.
• Resource planning and training.
• Risk analysis.
• Test effort estimation.

Example: For the discount code feature, the test planning phase will involve creating a comprehensive test plan, deciding the tools (e.g., Selenium for automation), assigning roles to team members, estimating the effort required, and planning for any potential risks, such as changes in the codebase affecting other parts of the application.

3. Test Case Development

Objective: Create detailed test cases and test scripts.

Activities:

• Write test cases and scripts.
• Review and baseline test cases.
• Create test data.

Example: Test cases for the discount code feature might include scenarios such as:

• Applying a valid discount code.
• Applying an expired discount code.
• Applying an invalid discount code.
• Applying multiple discount codes.

Test data will also be prepared, including different types of discount codes for thorough testing.

4. Test Environment Setup

Objective: Prepare the environment in which the tests will be executed.

Activities:

• Set up hardware and software requirements.
• Install necessary software and configure the system.
• Create test environment configuration guides.

Example: The test environment for the e-commerce application will be set up with the required hardware, operating systems, database servers, web servers, and other necessary components. Ensuring that the test environment mirrors the production environment is crucial for accurate testing.

5. Test Execution

Objective: Execute the test cases and log defects.

Activities:

• Execute test cases.
• Log defects in the defect management tool.
• Map defects to test cases in the RTM.
• Retest and track defects to closure.
• Update test cases based on the defect found.

Example: The testers will execute the test cases for the discount code feature, logging any defects they find, such as a valid discount code not applying correctly. These defects will be tracked, and once fixed, the test cases will be re-executed to ensure the issues are resolved.

6. Test Closure

Objective: Conclude the testing process and provide test closure reports.

Activities:

• Ensure all test cases are executed.
• Capture key metrics and prepare test summary reports.
• Conduct test closure meetings.
• Archive test artifacts for future reference.

Example: At the end of the testing phase for the discount code feature, a test summary report will be prepared, documenting the testing activities, defects found and fixed, and any remaining open issues. A test closure meeting will be held to discuss the overall test coverage and lessons learned.

Additional Stages in STLC

While the above stages are the core of the STLC, some organizations may include additional stages, such as:

• Defect Tracking: The testing team logs and tracks the defects or issues identified during the testing process and works with the development team to resolve them.
• Test Closure: The final stage of the STLC involves evaluating the overall testing process and identifying areas for improvement. The testing team prepares a final report summarizing the testing results, and the project is considered complete.

Conclusion

The Software Testing Life Cycle is a comprehensive process that ensures the quality and reliability of a software product. By following each stage meticulously, from requirement analysis to test closure, organizations can deliver high-quality software that meets user expectations and stands the test of time. By integrating these practices within the broader SDLC, teams can achieve a seamless and efficient development and testing process.