3.3.1 - Entry Criteria

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Introduction to STLC and Entry Criteria

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Teacher
Teacher

Welcome class! Today, we will discuss the Entry Criteria in the Software Testing Life Cycle or STLC. Can anyone tell me what the purpose of entry criteria is?

Student 1
Student 1

I think entry criteria are conditions that need to be met before starting a test phase?

Teacher
Teacher

That's correct! They ensure we don't rush into testing without the right preparation. This brings us to a memory aid: remember the acronym 'READY' - Requirements, Environment, Approval, Data, You involved. This summarizes what we need before testing.

Student 2
Student 2

Could you give an example of what might be included in these criteria?

Teacher
Teacher

Sure! For instance, in the Requirement Analysis phase, the Business Requirement Documents must be available, and the QA team must be identified. Always ensuring preparation is key—great job!

Entry Criteria for Requirement Analysis

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s dive deeper into the Requirement Analysis phase. What do we need before starting?

Student 3
Student 3

We need the BRD and the QA team to be identified.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And what's the old saying? 'Failing to plan is planning to fail.' This highlights the importance of having everything upfront.

Student 4
Student 4

What happens if we miss these entry criteria?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! If we skip these steps, we risk unclear requirements and potentially costly rework later. So, meeting these criteria is crucial!

Entry Criteria for Test Execution

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's examine the Test Execution phase. What entry criteria are critical here?

Student 1
Student 1

I believe we need the test cases and test data to be ready?

Teacher
Teacher

That's spot-on! Without complete and approved test cases, we might miss defects, leading to potential user issues post-release.

Student 2
Student 2

Is there a way to verify these criteria are met?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Regular check-ins or reviews can help ensure alignment—let’s keep promoting these good practices!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section outlines the entry criteria for each phase in the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), highlighting their importance in ensuring thorough and structured testing.

Standard

The entry criteria for various phases of the STLC define the prerequisites that must be satisfied before progressing to the next phase of testing. This organized approach not only clarifies responsibilities but ensures the necessary documentation, resources, and team readiness are in place, enhancing the quality control of the testing process.

Detailed

Entry Criteria in STLC

The entry criteria in the Software Testing Life Cycle represent the conditions that must be satisfied before starting each testing phase.

Key Points:

  1. Purpose of Entry Criteria:
    Entry criteria help to prevent incomplete or rushed testing phases. They ensure that the QA team has the necessary resources, documents, and team alignment before moving forward.
  2. Examples of Entry Criteria:
  3. Requirement Analysis: BRD/FRD/User Stories are available. QA team is identified.
  4. Test Planning: Requirements baseline is completed. Test strategy template is available.
  5. Test Case Development: Test plan is approved. RTM is finalized.
  6. Test Environment Setup: Environment requirements are known. Hardware/software is available.
  7. Test Execution: Test cases and test data are ready. Test environment is up and running.
  8. Test Cycle Closure: Test execution is complete. Defect status is resolved or accepted.
  9. **Significance of Entry Criteria:
  10. They promote discipline and structure within the testing process.
  11. Risk of errors is minimized as everything is verified before moving on to the next phase.
  12. They also emphasize the collaborative roles of BAs and testers in documenting requirements and validating testing scopes.

In summary, entry criteria set the foundation for effective testing and ensure all necessary prerequisites are verified, leading to a mature testing process.

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Definition of Entry Criteria

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Entry Criteria:
Set of conditions that must be met before a test phase can begin.

Detailed Explanation

Entry criteria are essential conditions that must be satisfied prior to starting a specific phase of testing. These criteria ensure that the testing process begins with all necessary information and preparations in place. For example, if certain documents or approvals are lacking, the quality of testing may be compromised or lead to incomplete results.

Examples & Analogies

Think of entry criteria like the checklist a pilot uses before taking off. Just as a pilot ensures that all systems are operational and all safety checks are completed before flight, entry criteria ensure everything is ready and in order before moving into the testing phase.

Importance of Entry Criteria

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✅ Helps avoid incomplete or rushed testing.

Detailed Explanation

The primary importance of entry criteria is that they help prevent situations where testing is rushed or conducted without necessary preparations. By clearly defining what needs to be in place before testing starts, teams can avoid overlooking important aspects which could lead to defects or insufficient coverage.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you're trying to bake a cake. If you start baking without all your ingredients measured out and ready, you might forget a key ingredient or mix things in the wrong order, resulting in a disastrous cake. Similarly, entry criteria ensure that you have everything needed for successful testing.

Examples of Entry Criteria

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📌 Example: You shouldn't begin test execution unless all test cases are reviewed and test data is available.

Detailed Explanation

This example illustrates a practical application of entry criteria. It emphasizes that before test execution can commence, two conditions must be satisfied: all test cases must have undergone review for quality assurance, and test data must be prepared and available for use. This ensures that the test execution phase is productive and valid.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a sport like basketball. A team wouldn’t start a game without its full roster and proper uniforms ready. Similarly, in software testing, you need to have your test cases and data ready to ensure that the execution phase can run smoothly and effectively.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Entry Criteria: Conditions that must be satisfied before starting each STLC phase.

  • Requirement Analysis: Understanding what needs to be tested based on business requirements.

  • Test Execution: Phase where test cases are executed and results are recorded.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • Before beginning Test Execution, ensure test cases are written, reviewed, and test data is prepared.

  • In Requirement Analysis, entry criteria include having identified documentation like the BRD and having the QA team assigned.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • If you want your tests to shine, check the criteria, make them align.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a builder (the QA team) who won't start building (testing) until they have the right blueprints (BRD) and tools (test environment) ready to work with.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember the acronym 'COMET' for Entry Criteria: Conditions, Objectives, Meetings, Execution, Tests.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Use 'RECAP' for Entry Criteria

  • Requirements
  • Environment
  • Completion
  • Approval
  • Preparedness.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Entry Criteria

    Definition:

    Set of conditions that must be met before a test phase can begin.

  • Term: BRD

    Definition:

    Business Requirements Document, which outlines the business needs and objectives.

  • Term: RTM

    Definition:

    Requirements Traceability Matrix, a document that maps requirements to their corresponding test cases.

  • Term: Quality Control

    Definition:

    The process of overseeing different aspects of a project to ensure standards are being met.