Bring-up
Beginner
The first time engineers switch on a new chip in the lab and get its parts working, one by one.
Novice
The first lab work on a new chip: apply power carefully, get its clocks running, connect to its built-in test port, run its self-tests, then run its first program and finally real software. Each step uses only what the steps before it proved works.
Expert
Ordered so each step relies only on what already works. Planned before tapeout with a board, debug access and a test plan, because something as small as a missing pull-down resistor or an unreachable debug port can stall the lab.
Explained in After tapeout (Extras).
See also: First silicon, Boundary scan (IEEE 1149.1, JTAG).