Test Planning and Control:-

The first phase of STLC is a combination of two activities, test planning and other one is test control. Test planning involves verifying the mission of testing and defining the objectives of testing. In order to specify test related tasks to fulfill the identified objectives and mission. On the other hand, test control involves comparing actual progress of the testing process against the plan and reporting the status, including deviation from the plan. It requires that necessary actions are taken to meet the mission and objective of the project. Continuous monitoring of the test related tasks till the completion of the project is essential for test control. Different task are performed during test planning and test control to prepare a test plan and a test status report, respectively.

Test plan is a document that describes the approach to test a system or software product.

The tasks performed during test planning include:-
1- Determining the risks or problems which testing is aimed to resolve.
2- Identifying the objective of testing.
3- Determining the test approach.
4- Implementing the test policy or strategy.
5- Determining the exit criteria.
6- Scheduling the test related activities.

The tasks performed during test control include:-
1- Analyzing the results of test reviews.
2- Monitoring test related activities.
3- Reporting the test status.