What are the Steps in STLC?

With the advancement of IT, many customized computer software and web software applications are developed and are introduced in the market. It should be noticed that all the software developed does not meet the set quality standards and parameters. For this software testing method is developed which investigates and confirms whether the program is performing appropriately according to the set parameters and technical standards without any errors. Software testing life cycle (STLC) is a set of procedures that recognizes the best time to bring out the test procedures and also the best time to finish it off. The testing activities may be different from organization to organization but comprises of some basic common steps. Software testing life cycle is broadly divided into following stages:

Test Planning

In this phase, the project manager identifies the areas needed to be tested. Once the requirements of the project are identified, a test plan document is developed. The test plan document must consist of the following information:
• Scope of testing activities
• Total number of items and features to be tested
• Total number of items and features not to be tested
• Approach of the testing plan
• Resource required for all the testing activities
• Time required to complete the testing process
• Risks/hazards involved in the testing plan
• Final deliverables

Test Analysis

Once test plan is finalized, the next step would be test analysis which involves deciding upon types of testing done at various steps of software test life cycle

Test Design

Based on the project necessities, a test design is prepared which involves identification of various modules of the software. The test design is based on the decision based on whether manual or automated testing is to be done. A final checklist is prepared which covers all the features of the project.

Construction and Verification

In this phase all the test plans, test cases, Stress and performance testing strategy and computerized script tests is to be completed. The development team is to be supported in testing the unit & reporting of nay errors found. Finally, in this phase of software test life cycle, integration tests are performed and error reporting is done.

Testing Cycles

In this phase, the tests are run and if any bugs are found it needs to be fixed by the development team. This process is repeated again and again until all the bugs are completely wiped out.

Final Testing and Implementation

In this phase the remaining stress, load, acceptance, efficiency and recovery testing are conducted before the application is validated under production conditions.

Post Implementation

Once the testing process is evaluated, all the bugs evolved during the various stages of the software testing are documented to avoid similar kind of problems in the near future.

These are major steps in STLC. However, the actual requirement varies from project to project depending on availability of time and budgeting of the project.