The STLC phase by phase
The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) describes the ordered phases of the testing activity. It is not the same as the SDLC: the STLC focuses exclusively on testing and lives within the SDLC.
- Test requirements analysis: what will be tested.
- Test planning: strategy, resources, scope.
- Test case design: techniques and concrete cases.
- Test environment and data setup.
- Test execution and result logging.
- Closure: metrics, report and lessons learned.
Each phase has entry and exit criteria: conditions that must be met to start or to consider the phase complete.
| Phase | Entry criterion (example) | Exit criterion (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Test requirements analysis | Requirements or stories available with acceptance criteria | Testable requirements identified and open questions resolved |
| Test planning | Requirements analyzed | Test plan approved (scope, strategy, risks and effort) |
| Test case design | Test plan approved | Test cases reviewed and traced to requirements |
| Test environment and data setup | Environment requirements defined | Environment verified with a smoke test and data loaded |
| Test execution and result logging | Build deployed, environment ready and test cases approved | Test cases executed and no critical defects open |
| Closure: metrics, report and lessons learned | Execution completed | Closure report published and lessons learned documented |
QuestionToca para voltear
What is the difference between SDLC and STLC?
In the STLC, which phase produces the metrics, final report and lessons learned?