The ever-competitive technology sector requires testing as an essential element. It is an essential part of any SDLC and can affect the outcomes of all project factors, including time, budget, and quality.
The STLC, or program Testing Life Cycle, is a set of techniques used by the testing team to ensure the quality of the program or product and focuses primarily on the testing phases. It is critical to be aware of the STLC admission and exit requirements. In order to accurately estimate the amount of time needed to test each site, it is necessary to specify the testing areas and the tasks carried out by testers.
The entry and exit criteria of the STLC are helpful in locating all the important errors in a software project that require quick attention.
The conditions for entry and leave in STLC are thoroughly explained in this article.
Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
Software testing, verification, and validation are all included in the STLC, which has six steps.
- Requirement analysis.
- Test planning.
- Test case design and development.
- Test environment setup.
- Test execution.
- Test cycle closure.
In addition to these established STLC metrics, the cycle also includes other elements for the cycle completion requirements, such as test strategy, test execution, test coverage, test cases, and test case report.
Entry Criteria in STLC
Entry criteria are requirements that must be fulfilled in order for a task to be completed; if any of these elements are lacking, the assignment cannot be finished.
Identifying the window of time during which the entry criterion item will be prepared to start the process is essential. To begin the test case development process, for instance, the following conditions must be met:
- The necessary papers must be at your disposal.
- Understanding the application flow completely is essential.
- To be finished is the test plan document.
Exit Criteria in STLC
Exit criteria for STLC phases are requirements that must be met before the current phase ends and the subsequent one starts. For the STLC phase to be completed, exit criterion requirements must be met.
For instance, in order for the test case development phase to be finished, the following conditions must be met:
- It’s important to write and review test cases.
- It is necessary to prepare and recognize test data.
- Should it be required, a test automation script must be prepared.
Understanding Entry Criteria:
Entry criteria, also known as prerequisites, are the conditions that must be met before commencing a specific phase of the STLC. These criteria ensure that the testing process proceeds smoothly and that the testing team is well-prepared for the upcoming tasks. Entry criteria help in identifying potential roadblocks early in the testing process and facilitate better resource allocation.
For instance, for the Requirements Analysis phase of the Facebook project, the following entry criteria could be established:
- Availability of detailed and well-documented software requirements specifications.
- Completion and approval of the design and architecture documents.
- Allocation of required resources, including testers, testing environments, and testing tools.
- Successful completion of the development phase, and code being ready for testing.
Implementing Exit Criteria:
Exit criteria, on the other hand, are the conditions that must be met for the conclusion of a particular testing phase. They signify the completion of testing tasks and ensure that the deliverables are of high quality. Meeting exit criteria provides confidence in the quality of the software and allows for a seamless transition to the next phase of testing.
For example, in the System Testing phase of the Facebook project, the following exit criteria could be defined:
- Successful execution of all test cases with minimal defects or critical issues.
- Approval from stakeholders based on pre-defined acceptance criteria.
- Documentation of test results, including test logs and defect reports.
- Completion of regression testing and confirmation of bug fixes.
Importance of Entry and Exit Criteria:
- Effective Project Management: Entry and exit criteria help project managers plan and monitor the testing process effectively. Clear entry criteria ensure that each phase begins when the required prerequisites are fulfilled, avoiding delays and misunderstandings.
- Risk Mitigation: Establishing entry criteria allows the testing team to identify and mitigate potential risks at the earliest stage. By addressing these risks beforehand, the chances of project delays and budget overruns reduce significantly.
- Deliverable Quality: Exit criteria ensure that each testing phase produces deliverables that meet the desired quality standards. This enhances the overall quality of the software product and increases end-user satisfaction.
- Resource Optimization: By adhering to entry and exit criteria, the testing team can allocate resources efficiently. This ensures that resources are utilized optimally and prevents wastage.
Facebook Project Case Study:
Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario of the Facebook project to understand the application of entry and exit criteria in STLC.
Phase: Test Planning Entry Criteria:
- Availability of detailed project requirements and design documents.
- Finalization of test strategy and test plan.
- Identification and allocation of testing resources.
Exit Criteria:
- Completion of the test plan document with approval from stakeholders.
- Defined test objectives, scope, and timelines for the testing phase.
Phase: Test Execution Entry Criteria:
- Completion of the test plan and test case preparation.
- Availability of a stable build for testing.
- All high-priority defects from previous phases must be fixed.
Exit Criteria:
- Execution of all test cases and scripts.
- Defect closure rate above 95%.
- Summary report with test results and metrics.
Phase: Test Closure Entry Criteria:
- Completion of test execution and bug fixing.
- Approval from stakeholders for the release.
Exit Criteria:
- Final test summary report prepared and shared with stakeholders.
- Archiving of test ware, including test scripts, test data, and test environments.
- Lessons learned document prepared for process improvement.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, entry and exit criteria are indispensable elements of the Software Testing Life Cycle that help ensure the success of a project. By defining clear prerequisites for each testing phase, the testing team can better plan and execute their tasks, leading to a smoother and more efficient testing process. Similarly, adhering to exit criteria ensures that each phase concludes with the desired quality deliverables, contributing to the overall success of the software project. When applied in a hypothetical case study of the Facebook project, these criteria exemplify their significance in real-world scenarios. Through diligent application of entry and exit criteria, testing teams can build robust software products that meet user expectations and industry standards.
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