Software Testing Life Cycle: Introduction and the Steps Involved

The software testing life cycle is basically a step-by-step process used for testing any software before it is deemed fit for final production. The different stages in software testing life cycle are carried out in an orderly manner and the final results which are obtained decide if the software is viable as a product or not. If the software is found short on any of the parameters after extensive testing, then the appropriate improvements can be made.

Though a number of steps are involved in this process, there is no set pattern or some set rules which need to be followed. The choice of steps and the order in which they are to be executed depends on the designer and the management team. Here we are going to discuss the most basic and general steps involved in software testing life cycle and these can be used in any particular order according to the requirements. Before we discuss these steps, having a basic idea about software testing would be a definite bonus and this great course about the basics of software testing will give you a good introduction about the intricacies of this process. You can check out this amazing course about the basics of software testing here.

Let us now discuss the basic steps involved in software testing life cycle.

Step One: Reviewing the Design and the Requirements of the Software

The first step in the software testing life cycle is to review the design and the requirements of the software. The design of the software has to be thoroughly examined for any defects and if anything is diagnosed should be duly reported to the developer team.

In addition to the design, the requirements and the usability of the software should also be examined. The usability of the software for the end users is the most important factor which makes the production of the software viable for the management and hence should be examined very carefully. Here is a great course about carrying out an expert usability review of a product and it teaches all the steps involved in the process in a very friendly and easy manner.

Step Two: Planning the Tests

After examining the design for any defects and also establishing the potential usability of the product, the next step is to plan the tests. In this stage, the tests are planned and all the necessary details about the tests are collected. The estimated budget, the schedule of the tests, the requirements for the test, and how you’ll go about them are all these factors are properly considered and answered at this stage.

Step Three: Designing the Tests

After the tests are properly planned, the next step is to design them. The designing of the tests is done on the basis of the review reports and as per the plans which have already been put in place. Imagination and creativity often plays a large part in designing the tests in an efficient manner.

Step Four: Setting up the Test Environment

After designing the tests, the next step is to properly set up the test environment. The test environment should always be as good a replica of the end users’ environment as it can be. The budget can often be a constraint in setting up an effective test environment and this should always be taken into consideration by the design team.

Step Five: Carrying out the Test

After setting up the test environment, the next step would be to carry out the tests. The software should be tested exhaustively in the test environment and the results obtained should be properly documented. If the software does well in the tests, then it definitely is a sign of the good things to come, but if it fails to perform then the software should be sent back to the designing stage to iron out any flaws which might have been found out during the tests.

The planning, designing, and execution of the tests is a fairly easy process if you have the right kind of training and expertise with you. Here is a great software testing course which will teach you the nuances of these processes in a very easy manner. This course has been designed for users of all kinds and it will be equally helpful for beginners as well as the intermediate level developers.

Step Six: Final Reporting

After the testing of the product, the final step is to prepare proper reports for the tests and to submit those reports to various stakeholders and potential investors.

These are the basic steps for a software testing life cycle. These steps should only be taken as a basic framework for carrying out a software testing life cycle and these steps or even some of these steps can be carried out in any particular order depending on the requirements of the management.

Successful Software Development and Software Testing Life Cycle

For being a successful software developer, a number of factors need to be considered and a specific set of skills is required. To know more about these factors and the skills required, you can read this amazing blog post about the software developer job description and how to become one here.

If you aim to be a software developer someday, then along with the skills which have been discussed above, having extensive knowledge about software testing life cycle is equally important as this process is an integral part in the design and development of any software. Though if being a software developer is not on your agenda, being an expert in software testing can also help you carve out a career for yourself specifically as a software testing expert or it could help you make some extra cash by becoming a freelancer in this field. Either way, expert knowledge about software testing is definitely going to serve you well and here is a very useful course which will teach you about each and every aspect of software testing thoroughly.