What are test metrics?
Test metrics are measurements that reveal how well your testing efforts are working. They show if your testing is effective, efficient, and on track. Teams use these numbers to spot problems early, prove their testing works, and make better decisions about where to focus their efforts.
Do you have any examples of test metrics?
These key test metrics help teams track their testing effectiveness:
- Defect density: Number of bugs found per 1,000 lines of code—helps identify problematic code areas
- Test execution rate: Percentage of planned tests completed vs. time remaining—shows if you're on schedule
- Defect removal efficiency: Percentage of bugs caught before release vs. after—measures testing thoroughness
- Test coverage: Amount of code or features actually tested—reveals blind spots in testing
Why are test metrics important?
Test metrics give you hard data to prove your testing is working and help you find weak spots. They let you make fact-based decisions about where to focus testing efforts and help you show stakeholders exactly how testing is progressing. Most importantly, they help you identify and fix problems before your software reaches users.
What challenges come with test metrics?
The biggest challenge is picking the right metrics to track. Following too many metrics wastes time, while tracking the wrong ones can mislead you. Remember that metrics need context—for example, finding lots of bugs might mean your testing is thorough, not that your code is bad.
Success comes from choosing metrics that directly connect to your project's goals.
Success comes from choosing metrics that directly connect to your project's goals.
