Software development pipelines are no longer a secret anymore. And this is how we are all well-aware of the fact that software testing is equally important if you want to conduct a successful software development cycle. In fact, if you happen to conduct testing in a proper manner, it means every line of the code is working in a proper manner, and you are bound to receive a product which is highly reliable, efficient and user-friendly.
It may quite interest to you to know that for years, organisations have allocated more than 20 to 30% on quality assurance and software testing. And for good reason - QA is considered one of the core foundations if you are willing to develop extremely stable software. You can think of software testing as a safety net where bugs can be caught, and errors can be detected and rectified way before they reach the end users. What’s more, it saves developers from facing costly fixes and enables them to meet pre-determined quality standards and perform amazing work irrespective of different conditions. Now I won’t be delving deeper into software testing because then I won’t be able to stop at all.
Let me assume that you are already working in the software testing realm, and you do understand the significance of measuring results, and many times it is an everyday concern as well. Basically, what happens here testing teams end up focusing on numbers, especially when bugs get detected or in case if the test passes. Now let me burst your bubble. Do you think if this is a strategic approach? You are absolutely mistaken.
The success lies when teams are able to connect QA metrics to different business goals. Through these solutions, you get a better understanding that software is not just stable, but it is possible to deliver real value or the best possible outcomes to the users. Now, first and foremost, let us understand what are QA metrics and why they matter.
What are QA Metrics?
QA metrics assess software effectiveness, quality and absolute reliability, especially while testing. Here you receive proper insights regarding what exactly needs to be improved and keep tabs as well as monitor processes. I am sure you must have heard of this: “ if you cannot measure well, there is no scope you can improve well. “ Metrics are the most exciting part of the job, and they lead to several better outcomes, such as:
- Improved product quality - Spot relevant areas in case if the software is failing.
- Ensuring high efficiency - Uncover bottlenecks, especially while the testing procedure is conducted.
- Quantify progress - Objectives can be set to stay on track.
- Minimise risks - The overall risk of critical production can be well-taken care of.
- Making well-informed decisions - Data can be adjusted and now no longer dependent on assumptions.
Importance of QA Metrics
Clear Communication
One of the most significant aspects of metrics turns out to be that they offer stakeholders one of the easiest ways to see how the project is progressing without lengthy explanations. So say no more conducting back and forth meetings, instead review metrics data, and everything is sorted.
Escaped bugs
Did you know that the entire QA process can be judged by the number of bugs your customer reports? It is said that users shouldn’t encounter any issues post-release of the software, but in reality, there are a few sneaky bugs that successfully escape testing and have the potential to slip through numerous quality checks.
So what if too many sneaky bugs reach the end users? This means you need to enhance the testing suite so that the scope of costly fixes automatically decreases.
Test Coverage
What is test coverage? It is a percentage of the app which can be verified by tests, basically one of the most important metrics which is considered to assess QA quality. Once you have measured test coverage, it is possible to take a close look at different parts of the software and reduce the overall chances of hidden bugs.
Better decision-making
Metrics and measurements do assist in making better calls, especially in regards to where you need to allocate resources in regards to time, money as well as manpower. Having precise data at hand, it is possible to make decisions about project scope; moreover, staffing becomes easier, and professionals are able to gain more confidence.
Enhanced risk management
Last but certainly not least, one is enhanced risk management. Good metrics mean all the high-risk areas can be highlighted, and this helps teams to prioritise issues which can definitely impact on the product.
Basically, here you are bound to receive a clear view regarding the project’s progress and where does it stands in terms of quality as well. Time to look for a complete, meaningful picture of the developed product.
After learning about the significance of what these software quality metrics mean to be, time to learn about the top metrics to consider for your upcoming development project.
Top Software Quality Metrics
Defect Density
These metrics, as the name implies, focus on how many defects are found in a specific part of the software. By doing so, it is possible to have a complete assessment of code quality as well as maintainability.
This is how you calculate defect density:
(Total Defects) is divided by (Size of Software, e.g., Lines of Code or Function Points)
Defect Removal Efficiency (DRE)
This metric shows the overall percentage of defects which can be successfully detected as well as removed way before they are released. By doing so, it is possible to measure how well the QA process can catch issues at a pretty early stage.
This is how DRE can be calculated: ((Defects found before release) divided by (Defects before plus after release)) × 100
Test Coverage
The next metric is the test coverage. It assists in measuring how much of the codebase or functionality has been tested till now. This helps professionals ensure comprehensive validation of features and, at the same time, reduce risk to a great extent.
This is how test coverage can be calculated:
(Number of items tested divided by the Total number of items) × 100
Priority Index
Ignoring unresolved defects can be a huge concern; by doing so, all the high-priority issues can be addressed way before the release.
This is how to calculate: (Sum of (Priority Level multiplied by the Number of Defects at that Priority)) is divided by (Total Defects)
Customer-Reported Defects
Here a number of defects can be found and reported by customers. By doing so, it reflects customer satisfaction and ensures high product reliability.
This is how customer-reported defects can be calculated: keep account of the total number of customer-reported defects
Automation Coverage
This metric successfully tracks the overall proportion of test cases which can be automated. By doing so, it is possible to successfully measure test efficiency, repeatability and higher scalability.
How the calculation is done here - (Automated Test Cases can be divided by Total Test Cases) multiplied by 100
Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)
As the name implies, this metric in particular shows how quickly defects are detected right after introduction is made. Here, it is possible to minimise the time. Also, mostly, defects remain hidden, leading to a severe reduction in terms of potential damage.
How to calculate - (Sum of detection times) is divided by (Total number of defects)
Test Design Efficiency
These metrics assist in measuring how quickly and effectively test cases can be developed. This is done to successfully enhance the overall productivity of the test design phase.
The easiest way to calculate here: (Test Cases Designed divided by Test Design Hours)
Test Execution Progress
Of course, you have planned testing all along, but how to know if the planned test has been executed successfully? This metric assists in monitoring project testing status and detecting schedule risks on a very early basis.
How to calculate - (Test Cases Executed divided by Test Cases Planned) × 100
Time to Market
The last but not least metric is all about measuring the total time taken from project start to product launch. The metric is extremely important for maintaining competitiveness, as well as it is possible to successfully responding to ever-evolving market needs.
So I guess by now you have understood, QA metrics are certainly a non-negotiable aspect, and these metrics can empower you to enhance, adapt as well as work wonders in developing a software which not just meets but certainly exceeds expectations.
Conclusion
So that’s all for now! I hope you did find the following post worth considering. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I guess now you do understand the overall significance of metrics and how important it is to conduct a proper QA procedure. On and all, metrics offer software teams to spot risks as well as rectify them at a very early stage.
A word of caution - You need to understand that both metrics and measurements can be manipulated in multiple ways, which will make the situation seem better or worse than it actually is. Remember this: numbers don’t tell the full story. And sometimes people tend to go overboard, especially with measuring efforts. So be extremely careful with handling metrics and measurements.
So that’s all for now! I hope you did find the following post worth taking into account. In case if you have any kind of doubts or concerns, feel free to mention them in the comment section below.
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