What key activity is performed during test execution?

Running predefined test cases is a critical activity during test execution because it involves systematically executing tests that have been designed and documented in advance. This step is essential for verifying that the software application behaves as intended under various conditions and meets specified requirements.

During this phase, testers prioritize evaluating the functionality of the software against the test cases to ensure that each component and feature work as expected. By executing these tests, the team can identify defects or inconsistencies that need to be addressed before the software can be deemed ready for release. This activity is a central part of quality assurance processes and plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of the software.

Other activities, such as designing software architecture, writing test scripts, and analyzing user interface design, are important aspects of the overall software development and testing lifecycle but do not take place during the execution phase itself. Test execution specifically focuses on applying the prepared test cases to gather results and observations, making it a distinct and focused activity.