Here’s a brief and clear explanation of STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle) in Manual Testing:
📌 STLC in Manual Testing
STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle) is the process followed by testers to ensure software quality. It focuses specifically on testing activities, unlike SDLC which covers the entire development.
Manual Testing is performed throughout STLC phases.
1. Phases of STLC
1. Requirement Analysis
- Goal: Understand what needs to be tested.
- Activities:
- Review requirements (BRD, SRS).
- Identify testable requirements.
- Create Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM).
- Manual Testing Role: Participate in requirement reviews and identify potential issues early.
2. Test Planning
- Goal: Define testing strategy and scope.
- Activities:
- Determine testing types (functional, regression, usability).
- Estimate effort, resources, and timelines.
- Select tools (if any) for tracking defects.
- Manual Testing Role: Prepare a Test Plan document with responsibilities and schedules.
3. Test Case Design / Test Scenario Creation
- Goal: Prepare detailed steps to test software.
- Activities:
- Write test scenarios (high-level).
- Write test cases with steps, input, and expected results.
- Prepare test data.
- Manual Testing Role: Ensure all requirements are covered by test cases.
4. Test Environment Setup
- Goal: Prepare the environment where testing will be executed.
- Activities:
- Install application, database, servers, browsers, etc.
- Ensure proper access and configuration.
- Manual Testing Role: Verify environment readiness before execution.
5. Test Execution
- Goal: Run the test cases manually on the application.
- Activities:
- Execute test cases step by step.
- Compare actual vs expected results.
- Identify defects if the software behaves incorrectly.
- Manual Testing Role: Log defects in tracking tools (JIRA, Bugzilla).
6. Defect Reporting & Tracking
- Goal: Track issues until they are fixed.
- Activities:
- Report bugs with details: steps, severity, screenshots.
- Retest fixed defects.
- Manual Testing Role: Ensure all defects are resolved and verified.
7. Test Closure
- Goal: Formally conclude testing.
- Activities:
- Prepare Test Summary Reports.
- Analyze testing coverage and lessons learned.
- Archive test artifacts for future reference.
- Manual Testing Role: Provide feedback and confirm all planned testing is complete.
Summary
- STLC = Step-by-step process for testing software quality.
- Manual Testing is applied at every STLC phase: requirement analysis → planning → case design → execution → defect reporting → closure.
- Ensures system meets requirements and is defect-free before release.
