Mastering the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a systematic process followed by the QA team to ensure the quality of software. It outlines the steps involved in testing a software product, from planning and designing test cases to reporting and closure.
STLC works in parallel with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to ensure that testing is done at every stage of development, increasing product quality and reducing defects.
Overview of STLC Phases
The STLC comprises several well-defined phases, each with specific objectives and deliverables.
- Requirement Analysis
- Test Planning
- Test Case Development
- Test Environment Setup
- Test Execution
- Test Reporting
- Test Closure
Each phase has its own entry and exit criteria to ensure the process is thorough and systematic.
1. Requirement Analysis
Analyze the requirements from the business and technical documents to identify what needs to be tested.
Activities :
Review Requirements — Thoroughly review Functional Requirement Specifications (FRS), Business Requirement Documents (BRD), and Use Cases.
Identify Test Requirements — Determine the testable aspects of the software. Focus on both functional (features) and non-functional (performance, security) requirements.
Raise Clarifications — Identify any gaps or unclear requirements and clarify with the stakeholders or business analysts.
Automation Feasibility — Analyze which test cases can be automated for better efficiency in future cycles.
Deliverables :
Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)
Automation Feasibility Report
Ensure all requirements are clear and complete before moving to the next phase.
2. Test Planning
Create a roadmap for the testing process. This is the phase where the test strategy is defined.
Activities :
Define Test Strategy — Determine the scope, objectives, testing approach (manual vs automated), and types of tests (unit, integration, system, UAT).
Resource Planning — Identify the required resources such as testers, tools, and environments.
Estimation and Scheduling — Estimate the effort, time, and cost for testing activities.
Risk Analysis — Identify potential risks, such as timeline constraints or resource shortages, and plan mitigation strategies.
Deliverables :
Test Plan Document
Test Effort Estimation Document
Risk Management Plan
The success of testing relies heavily on comprehensive planning. Make sure to align with the project’s development plan.
3. Test Case Development
Design detailed test cases based on the defined test strategy and requirements.
Activities :
Write Test Cases — Create test cases that are clear, specific, and cover all functional and non-functional requirements.
Test Data Preparation — Identify or generate the data required to execute test cases. This may include user credentials, inputs for forms, or database values.
Peer Review — Have the test cases reviewed by peers or stakeholders to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Automate Test Cases — For cases deemed automatable, create scripts for automation testing using tools like Selenium or JUnit.
Deliverables :
Test Cases Document
Test Scripts (if automated)
Test Data
Prioritize high-risk areas of the application to ensure that critical functionality is covered.
4. Test Environment Setup
Prepare the necessary environment where the test cases will be executed.
Activities :
Setup Hardware/Software — Configure the servers, databases, and application versions required for testing.
Create Test Environment — Simulate production-like environments to ensure realistic test conditions.
Install Tools (If needed) — Install necessary testing tools (e.g., Selenium, JIRA, Postman) and ensure proper access for testers.
Environment Validation — Perform a smoke test to validate the environment setup and ensure it’s ready for full test execution.
Deliverables :
Test Environment Setup Document
Smoke Test Report
Make sure the test environment closely mirrors the production environment to minimize risks when the application is deployed.
5. Test Execution
Execute the designed test cases and report defects.
Activities :
Execute Test Cases — Run manual or automated test cases according to the test plan.
Log Defects — When a defect is found, log it in the defect management tool (e.g., JIRA) with detailed information for developers to investigate.
Retesting — Once a defect is fixed, retest the functionality to confirm the fix.
Regression Testing — Run tests on previously tested functionalities to ensure new changes haven’t introduced defects elsewhere.
Deliverables :
Test Execution Results
Defect Logs
Test Summary Report
Prioritize high-severity defects for immediate attention and focus on critical functionality first.
6. Test Reporting
Provide stakeholders with insights into the test progress, quality, and any potential risks.
Activities :
Test Progress Report — Track the progress of test execution, including test cases passed, failed, or blocked.
Defect Metrics — Present metrics such as the number of open/closed defects, severity levels, and defect density per module.
Final Test Summary Report — Compile the overall results of the testing efforts, highlighting any critical issues and their resolution status.
Deliverables :
Test Progress Reports
Final Test Summary Report
Ensure reports are clear and concise, providing actionable insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
7. Test Closure
Finalize testing activities and ensure all testing deliverables are completed.
Activities :
Test Closure Meeting — Conduct a meeting with stakeholders to confirm that all testing objectives have been met and defects have been resolved.
Document Learnings — Record lessons learned and areas for improvement in the testing process.
Archive Test Artifacts — Ensure all test cases, reports, and defect logs are archived for future reference and audits.
Prepare Closure Report — Summarize the testing effort, including test coverage, defect metrics, and overall quality of the software.
Deliverables :
Test Closure Report
Test Artifacts Archive
Use the test closure phase to reflect on testing practices and identify areas for process improvement in future projects.
The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a structured approach that ensures testing is thorough, systematic, and aligned with the project’s development goals.
By following these phases, QA teams can ensure high-quality software delivery, reduce defects, and improve collaboration with developers and stakeholders.
Incorporate STLC in your projects to elevate the quality and efficiency of your software testing processes.
The comment section is open for you to share special things, new updates, and mention mistakes regarding this content. I’m also learning new things from your comments.
I think sharing knowledge, learning new things, and helping others will help to develop a better world. Let’s share our knowledge to learn for everyone.🏆🏆🥇
Thank You. 🤝🤝
