Software development is a complex process that involves various stages, from planning and coding to testing and deployment. To manage this efficiently, two crucial life cycles are followed: the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). Both of these cycles work hand-in-hand to deliver a quality product that meets user requirements and expectations.
What is SDLC?
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured process used to develop software efficiently and effectively. It consists of several phases, each focusing on a specific aspect of software creation. The main purpose is to plan, develop, and maintain software, ensuring that all requirements are met. SDLC phases generally include:
- Requirement Gathering and Analysis:
- Business Analysts (BAs) work closely with clients to understand what they need.
- For example, if a company wants to develop a mobile banking app, the BA would gather details like what features should be included, such as checking account balances, transferring funds, or paying bills.
- Planning:
- Project managers and Scrum Masters plan the project timeline, resources, and budget.
- They decide which tasks should be done first, who will do them, and set deadlines for each task.
- Design:
- Architects and developers work together to design the system’s architecture.
- Imagine designing a house; you’d plan where the rooms would be, how big they are, and what materials you’d use.
- Development:
- Developers write the code based on the design specifications.
- This is where the actual product takes shape. They use different programming languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript.
- Testing:
- Before the software is released, it undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that there are no bugs or errors.
- Testers conduct functional, regression, integration, and performance tests to make sure everything works as expected.
- Deployment:
- Once the software passes all tests, it is deployed for users to access.
- For example, the mobile banking app would be released on the App Store or Google Play.
- Maintenance:
- After the release, there might be updates or new features added to keep the software running smoothly.
- For instance, if users report an issue, the development team will fix it and release a new version.
What is STLC?
The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) focuses on validating and verifying the software developed during the SDLC. It ensures that the final product is free of bugs and meets the client’s requirements. It also consists of several stages:
- Requirement Analysis:
- Testers review the requirements provided by the BAs to identify what needs to be tested.
- For example, if a feature requires checking the balance, testers would plan scenarios to test how it displays different account balances.
- Test Planning:
- A test lead will create a test plan, defining the scope, approach, resources, and schedule for testing activities.
- They decide which tools to use, how many testers are needed, and how much time they have to complete testing.
- Test Case Development:
- Testers write detailed test cases specifying what needs to be tested, expected results, and steps to reproduce.
- A test case for the mobile app might include: “Check if a user can successfully log in with correct credentials.”
- Environment Setup:
- Setting up the software and hardware needed to perform testing.
- For example, setting up different devices (iOS and Android phones) to test the mobile app.
- Test Execution:
- Testers execute the test cases and log any defects they find.
- For example, if the app crashes when checking the balance, the issue is logged for the developers to fix.
- Test Closure:
- After testing is complete, the team compiles the results, discusses what went well, and what could be improved.
- They ensure that all defects have been resolved before the product is deployed.
Roles and Collaboration
- Developers:
- They write the code and fix defects found by the testing team. They also collaborate with BAs to understand the requirements.
- Business Analysts (BAs):
- They bridge the gap between the client and the development team, ensuring that the software meets the client’s needs.
- For example, a BA might conduct workshops to gather requirements and then create user stories that developers use to write code.
- Product Owners (POs):
- They prioritize features and functionalities, ensuring the development team works on the most important tasks first.
- For example, if the mobile app needs urgent bug fixes, the PO will prioritize those tasks over new features.
- Scrum Masters:
- They ensure the team follows Agile practices, facilitating meetings, and removing obstacles that may hinder progress.
- For instance, if a developer is stuck on a problem, the Scrum Master will help find a solution or connect them with someone who can assist.
Live Example: Developing a Mobile Banking App
Imagine a tech company is developing a new mobile banking app.
- SDLC:
- During the Requirement Gathering, the BA meets with the bank’s representatives to discuss what they want. They decide to include features like viewing balances, transferring funds, and checking transaction history.
- In the Development Phase, developers write the code for these features.
- In the Testing Phase, testers ensure all these features work as expected.
- STLC:
- During Test Planning, the test lead decides to focus on ensuring that the app is secure and easy to use.
- In the Test Execution Phase, testers check that users can log in without issues, transfer funds quickly, and that their data remains secure.
The SDLC and STLC are vital for developing high-quality software. While SDLC focuses on building the software, STLC ensures that it functions correctly and meets client requirements. Developers, BAs, POs, and Scrum Masters work together to navigate through these cycles, ultimately delivering a robust product to the client.