Software Testing Life Cycle defines the phases in testing of software.
It is software testing process which has specific steps to be executed in a definite sequence to ensure that the quality goals have been met.
Each activity is carried out in a planned way. Each phase has different purpose and goals.
Different organizations have different phases as there is no fixed standar STLC in the world. However, the basis remains the same. Here’s the diagrammatic representation of Test Life Cycle:
[Figure: Test Life Cycle]
1. Planning & Control
During the analysis phase, test team studies the requirements to identify the testability of the requirements. Testers may have to interact with all the stakeholders to understand the requirements in detail. Automation scope for the given testing project is also done in this phase.
2. Analysis & Design
In the Test planning phase test plans are made where efforts are determined and costs are estimated for the project. Typical activities include preparation of test plan for types of testing to be done, Test effort estimation and Resource planning.
Also Read: Types of Software Testing, What is Software Testing?, Software Development Modals
3. Implementation
4. Evaluation & Reporting
5. Test Closure
Test results and testing artifacts are analyzed and lessons learnt are noted. Best practices checklist is updated noting what worked and retrospective discussion take place to identify the bottleneck. Aim is to remove the process bottlenecks for future test cycles for any similar features or projects in future.
There you go !! We have covered the most generic form of test life cycle and most organization would follow this type of framework , however, since there is no single standard template to be followed so different organizations have different phases.
Share with us what you think of the test lifecycle phases covered here.