The Ultimate Glossary of Terms for the Software Testing Life Cycle

Essential Terms You Need to Know About the Software Testing Life Cycle

What Is STLC? Case Study You'll Never Forget

It is a sequence of different activities performed by the testing team to ensure the quality of the software or the product. It is also an integral part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

It deals only with the testing phases. There can’t be a standardized testing process across various organizations; however, every organization involved in the software development business defines and depends on an organization-specific testing phase.

The Importance of STLC in Modern Software Development

With the growing complexity of software applications, a structured testing approach is crucial. The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) ensures a well-defined testing process that enhances software quality, reduces risks, and streamlines debugging. Many businesses now opt for Software Testing as a Service, allowing dedicated experts to handle the testing process efficiently.

The Evolution of Software Testing Life Cycle Phases

1. Test Planning and Control

Test Planning:

It is an activity of defining the objectives of testing and specifying test activities to meet those objectives. In this phase, we understand the goals and projects of the client.

To build a Standard Test Plan, some major tasks include:

• Identifying the objective and purpose of testing.
• Conducting risk analysis.
• Implementing a testing strategy.
• Defining the scope of testing.
• Scheduling test analysis, design, implementation, execution, and evaluation.
• Determining exit criteria.

Test Control:

Test control is a continuous process where actual progress is compared against planned progress, and reports are shared with the project manager and customer.

Major tasks of test control include:

• Measuring and analyzing test results.
• Monitoring and documenting progress, test coverage, and exit criteria.
• Providing information on testing progress.
• Initiating corrective actions.
• Making decisions based on test results.

2. Test Analysis and Design

Test Analysis:

This phase defines “WHAT” needs to be tested in the form of test conditions. It takes general testing objectives identified during planning and builds test designs and test procedures.

Factors influencing test analysis include:

• Level of testing.
• The complexity of the software/system under test.
• Project risk calculations.
• Tools used for test management.
• Test process and organization levels.
• Test analyst skills.
• Client’s and stakeholder’s guidelines.

Test Design:

Test design involves:

• Creating test cases and designing test scripts.
• Preparing test data.
• Setting up the test environment.

For example, in the early stages of product development, the focus is on uncovering major defects rather than making the software completely bug-free.

3. Test Implementation and Execution

Test Implementation:

This phase involves actual testing where different types of testing are performed, test results are shared, and bugs are logged. Re-testing and bug closure also occur in this phase.

Major activities include:

• Developing and prioritizing test procedures.
• Creating automated test scripts.
• Organizing test suites for efficient execution.
• Building and verifying the test environment.
• Preparing test data.
• Ensuring bi-directional traceability between test basis, conditions, cases, and procedures.

Test Execution:

Key activities in this phase:

• Recording test item IDs, versions, and test-ware details.
• Comparing actual vs. expected results.
• Reporting defects based on failures observed.
• Signing off test execution outcomes (e.g., pass, fail, blocked).

4. Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting

• Checking test logs against exit criteria.
• Determining if additional tests are required.
• Writing a test summary report for clients.

5. Test Closure Activities

Test Closure is a documented summary of all tests performed during the SDLC, including a detailed analysis of defects removed and found.

Test Completion Report Includes:

• Test Summary Report Identifier.
• Summary.
• Variances.
• Summary Results.
• Evaluation.
• Planned vs. Actual results.

A good Test Completion Report indicates software quality, measures outstanding risks, and defines the level of testing performed.

Entry Criteria:

• Test Case Execution Report (ensuring no high-severity defects remain open).
• Defect report.

Test Deliverables:

• Test Specifications Document.
• Test Plan Document.
• Test Strategy.
• Test Scenarios Document.
• Test Design Standards.
• Test Case Document.
• Traceability Matrix.
• Test Execution Reports.
• Test Logs.
• Bug Reports.
• Test Summary Reports.
• Test Data.
• Test Metrics.
• Test Status Reports.

Key Takeaways

Testing has become easier with the STLC model. Like development models, a structured testing model should be defined in every development process. This model enhances efficiency, reduces repetition, and ensures cost-effective, time-saving testing practices.

Deliverables are shared with stakeholders to verify results and measure testing effectiveness. Feedback from stakeholders, team members, and clients helps improve the process.