Navigating Fixing Phase in the Software Testing Lifecycle

In this article, we'll delve into the Fixing phase of the Software Testing Lifecycle (STLC). You'll learn the steps, deliverables, entry and exit criteria, risks, schedules, and tips for performing this phase effectively.

Test analysis is the seventh phase in the software testing lifecycle, after test requirement analysis, test planning, test design, test execution, test reporting and before test closure.

Table of Contents

• Steps in Fixing Phase
• Deliverables of Fixing Phase
• Entry and Exit Criteria for Fixing Phase
  • Entry Criteria
  • Exit Criteria
• Risks and Schedule Fixing Phase
• Tips for Performing Effective Fixing Phase
• Conclusion
• Continue Reading

Steps in Fixing Phase

1. Review Defect Reports: Analyze the defect reports from the testing phase to understand the root causes of the issues.
2. Prioritize Defects: Rank defects based on their severity, impact, and frequency to determine the order in which they should be addressed.
3. Assign Defects to Developers: Assign the defects to the appropriate developers or development teams for resolution.
4. Fix and Verify Defects: Developers resolve the defects and verify the fixes in their local environments.
5. Retest Fixed Defects: Re-execute the affected test cases to validate that the defects have been resolved and have not introduced new issues. Once the defects have been fixed and retested, they can be closed.

Deliverables of Fixing Phase

• Updated defect reports with assigned developers and fix status
• Resolved or closed defects and verified fixes
• Retested test cases with documented results

Entry and Exit Criteria for Fixing Phase

Entry Criteria

• Test execution and analysis are complete
• Defect reports are available

Exit Criteria

• All critical-priority and high-priority defects are resolved
• Retesting of fixed defects is complete and successful
• Defect reports are updated with the latest fix status

Risks and Schedule Fixing Phase

The risks and schedule for fixing are as follows:

Risks

• The defects may not be fixed correctly
• The software may not be retested correctly
• The defects may not be closed correctly
• Poorly prioritized defects may result in critical issues remaining unresolved

Schedule

The fixing schedule should be realistic and achievable. It should take into account the following factors:

• The size and complexity of the software
• The number of defects to be fixed
• The availability of the developers
• Ineffective communication between testers and developers can cause misunderstandings and slow down the fixing process

Tips for Performing Effective Fixing Phase

1. Encourage Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment between testers and developers to facilitate smooth communication and knowledge sharing.
2. Use a Defect Tracking System: Implement a centralized defect tracking system to streamline the defect management process and improve visibility.
3. Conduct Root Cause Analysis: Perform thorough root cause analysis to identify and address underlying issues, preventing future defects.
4. Monitor Fixing Progress: Regularly review the status of defect fixes and re-prioritize them as needed to ensure timely resolution.
5. Communication Avenues: Make sure there are enough opportunities for the testers and developers to communicate. Remove any barriers to communication that could result in delays.

Conclusion

The Fixing phase is a critical component of the Software Testing Lifecycle.

By understanding the steps, deliverables, entry and exit criteria, risks, and schedules, and implementing effective fixing strategies, you can enhance application quality and optimize the testing

Continue Reading