Software Test Metrics

We can’t control things which we can’t measure

Metric is a scale for measurement, which is used to measure the quality of the project.

Test metrics example:

• How many defects are existing within the module?
• How many test cases are executed per person?
• What is the Test coverage %?

Test Metrics are used to:

1. Take the decision for next phase of activities such as, estimate the cost & schedule of future projects.
2. Understand the kind of improvement required to success the project
3. Take decision on process or technology to be modified etc.

Test Metrics are the most important to measure the quality of the software.

How can we measure the quality of the software by using Metrics?

If a project does not have any metrics, then how the quality of the work done by a Test analyst will be measured?

For Example: A Test Analyst has to,

1. Design the test cases for 5 requirements
2. Execute the designed test cases
3. Log the defects & need to fail the related test cases
4. After the defect is resolved, need to re-test the defect & re-execute the corresponding failed test case.

Types of Manual Test Metrics:

Testing Metrics are mainly divided into 2 categories.

1. Base Metrics
2. Calculated Metrics

Base Metrics:

Base Metrics are the Metrics which are derived from the data gathered by the Test Analyst during the test case development and execution.

This data will be tracked throughout the Test Life cycle i.e. collecting the data like, Total no. of test cases developed for a project (or) no. of test cases need to be executed (or) no. of test cases passed/failed/blocked etc.

Calculated Metrics:
Calculated Metrics are derived from the data gathered in Base Metrics. These Metrics are generally tracked by the test lead/manager for Test Reporting purpose.

Metrics Life Cycle:

Analysis

Identification of the metrics

Define the identified metrics

Communicate

Explain the need of metric to stakeholder and testing team

Educate the testing team about the data points need to be captured for processing the metric

Evaluation 

Capture & verify the data

Calculating the metrics value using the data captured

Report

Develop the report with effective conclusion

Distribute report to the stakeholder and respective representative

Take feed back from stakeholder