Test Closure is the final phase in the software testing life cycle where the testing activities for a specific project, test level, or test phase are formally concluded. The main objectives of Test Closure are to assess the overall testing process, gather relevant data and metrics, and provide a summary of the testing activities. It serves as a foundation for test process improvement and documentation for future reference.
Key activities and aspects of Test Closure include:
- Test Summary Report:
- The Test Summary Report is a crucial deliverable in the Test Closure phase. It provides an overview of the testing activities conducted throughout the project or phase, including the testing objectives, scope, resources used, schedule adherence, and the status of test cases and defects.
- Assessment of Testing Objectives:
- The testing objectives outlined in the test plan are revisited to assess whether they have been achieved. Any deviations or outstanding objectives are documented.
- Coverage Analysis:
- Test coverage, including code coverage, requirements coverage, and functional coverage, is analyzed to ensure that testing was conducted thoroughly and that all critical aspects of the software were tested.
- Defect Analysis:
- A detailed analysis of defects identified during testing is conducted. This includes information on the number of defects found, their severity, their status (open, closed, deferred), and trends observed throughout the testing process.
- Resource Utilization:
- The utilization of testing resources, including personnel, tools, and environments, is reviewed to assess whether resources were allocated efficiently and effectively during the testing process.
- Documentation Review:
- All test documentation, including test cases, test scripts, test data, and test plans, is reviewed to ensure completeness and accuracy. Any necessary updates or improvements are documented.
- Test Process Evaluation:
- The overall test process is evaluated to identify areas for improvement. Lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for future testing activities are documented to contribute to continuous improvement.
- Completion Criteria Evaluation:
- Test completion criteria, as defined in the test plan, are evaluated to determine if they have been met. This includes criteria related to test coverage, defect closure, and overall testing goals.
- Formal Sign-Off:
- A formal sign-off is obtained from relevant stakeholders, indicating their acceptance of the testing results and their approval for the project or release to proceed to the next phase or production.
- Archiving Test Artifacts:
- All test artifacts, including documentation and test scripts, are archived for future reference. Archiving ensures that historical information is preserved and can be accessed as needed.
- Release Decision:
- Based on the assessment of testing results and the overall quality of the software, a decision is made regarding whether the software is ready for release.
The Test Closure phase is crucial for wrapping up the testing effort systematically and providing valuable insights for process improvement. The Test Summary Report generated during this phase is an important document that communicates the testing results and findings to stakeholders and contributes to organizational learning.