The relationship between testing and requirements engineering is iterative and collaborative. According to ISTQB CTFL and IQBBA FL syllabi, test activities such as test analysis and test design involve reviewing and interpreting acceptance criteria to derive test conditions and test cases. During this process, testers may identify ambiguities, conflicts, or missing acceptance conditions. These insights often result in feedback to business analysts or stakeholders, leading to refinement or changes in the acceptance criteria to ensure clarity, completeness, and testability.
This iterative feedback loop is essential in both Agile and traditional lifecycles. Therefore, option D is correct. It reflects the dynamic interaction between requirements and test design, where improving one often improves the other.
Other options are incorrect:
Option A falsely assumes business analysts don’t engage in test design, while in practice, they collaborate closely with testers.
Option B incorrectly suggests that IQBBA and ISTQB lifecycles are mutually exclusive. In fact, they complement each other.
Option C is incorrect in sequencing. In reality, solution evaluation (IQBBA) follows test execution, not precedes it.
Exact Reference – ISTQB CTFL Acceptance Testing Syllabus (Section 1.3.2):
“During test analysis, inconsistencies or missing information in the acceptance criteria can be identified and addressed through collaboration with business analysts.”
==================
