Software Testing - Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)

The Software Testing Life Cycle begins with understanding the requirements from a testing perspective. In this phase, testers carefully study requirement documents to identify what needs to be tested and what risks may exist. The goal is to ensure that requirements are clear, complete, and testable. Early involvement of testers helps detect ambiguities and gaps before development progresses further.

Test Planning Phase

Test planning defines the overall approach for testing activities. During this phase, the testing team decides the testing scope, objectives, resources, timelines, and tools. A well-prepared test plan acts as a roadmap for the entire testing process. It helps teams stay organized and ensures that testing is aligned with project goals and deadlines.

Test Case Design Phase

In the test case design phase, detailed test cases are created based on requirements and design documents. Each test case describes input conditions, execution steps, and expected outcomes. The purpose of this phase is to ensure maximum test coverage and reduce the chances of missing defects. Well-written test cases improve consistency and make testing easier to repeat.

Test Environment Setup

This phase focuses on preparing the hardware, software, and network conditions required for testing. A stable and realistic test environment is essential for accurate test results. Any mismatch between the test and production environments can lead to incorrect conclusions. Proper setup ensures that defects identified during testing reflect real-world usage conditions.

Test Execution and Closure

During test execution, test cases are run and results are recorded. Defects found are reported and tracked until resolution. After testing is completed, the closure phase evaluates test results, coverage, and lessons learned. This final phase helps teams assess test effectiveness and improve future testing cycles.