The quality assurance testing process is something you cannot skip when you work in software development. You must use test case software and bug tracking metrics to make sure that you find defects and deal with them accordingly. But to make things work, you must also measure the effectiveness and performance of all your QA efforts.
To do this, you must use the right metrics. There are many key performance indicators that let you see how successful all your hard work is, letting you know whether certain areas should be improved or not. But what exactly are these bug tracking metrics? Here are a few that you should definitely use regularly.
Bug tracking metrics – Test Execution Status
This is one of the most common metrics used by QA firms with a defect tracking software strategy. It allows you to see the total number of executions that were either incomplete, unexecuted, failed, passed, or blocked. It works better when it is represented in a chart.
Mean Time to Detect
Another metric frequently used by firms with a bug tracking system in place is MTTD, or Mean Time to Detect. It measures how much time it usually takes to find problems or bugs in the software. Not only that, but it also analyzes how effective the bug tracking process is. This way, you can make the proper fixes to improve the entire process for later.
Bug tracking metrics – Defect Density
When you work with bug tracking software, you must also use the Defect Density metric. It helps to see how many bugs were discovered while testing relative to the size of your application or software.
As such, the quality of the program is assessed. You’ll also find out which aspects need testing coverage and code improvements.
Bug tracking metrics – Test Execution Time
If you work in QA and want to ensure the best services, you must also use the Test Execution Time metric. You most likely use a test case management tool, in which case you should take advantage of Test Execution Time to measure how long it takes to do several test cases.
Therefore, you’ll know how efficient the testing process is and may even find possible bottlenecks.
Bug tracking metrics – Planning Efficiency
As a company, you should always have the best plan in place for the success of your QA goals. In this situation, the Planning Efficiency metric is not something you can ignore. It reveals how fast an organization is able to create a test plan and then execute it. Consider using it as part of your bug tracking metrics.
Mean Time to Repair
This metric can measure how long it takes to resolve potential bugs and problems in your software. On top of that, it also measures how efficient the defect resolution processes are and can help you decrease how long it takes to deal with and fix an issue.
User Satisfaction
Beyond internal metrics, it’s essential to gauge user satisfaction with the software’s quality and reliability. User satisfaction surveys, feedback channels, and reviews can provide valuable insights into how well the software meets user expectations and addresses their needs. By incorporating user feedback into the quality assurance process, organizations can prioritize enhancements and improvements that directly impact user experience.
Regression Test Coverage
Regression testing ensures that new code changes do not inadvertently introduce defects or regressions into previously working functionality. It measures the extent to which critical or frequently used features are covered by regression test suites. By analyzing regression test coverage, QA teams can identify gaps in test coverage and prioritize tests based on the risk of regression, ultimately reducing the likelihood of introducing new defects during development cycles.
Escaped Defects
Escaped defects refer to issues that were not detected during the testing phase but are discovered by users or customers post-release. Tracking escaped defects provides insights into the effectiveness of the testing process and the quality of the software delivered to end-users. By analyzing the root causes of escaped defects, organizations can improve testing strategies, enhance test coverage, and implement preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of escaped defects in future releases.
Automated Test Coverage
Automated testing plays a crucial role in improving testing efficiency and accelerating release cycles. It measures the percentage of test cases that are automated compared to manual tests. Increasing automated test coverage reduces manual testing efforts, improves test accuracy, and enables faster feedback loops during development. By monitoring automated test coverage, organizations can assess the effectiveness of their test automation strategy and identify opportunities for expanding automation to maximize testing efficiency.
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
MTBF measures the average time elapsed between the occurrence of software failures or defects. It provides insights into the overall reliability and stability of the software over time. A higher MTBF indicates greater reliability and fewer occurrences of critical failures, leading to improved user satisfaction and reduced maintenance overhead. By tracking MTBF trends, organizations can identify areas for improvement in software architecture, code quality, and testing practices to enhance overall system reliability.
Bug Tracking Metrics – Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Continuous improvement initiatives involve ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the quality assurance process. These initiatives may include implementing new testing methodologies, adopting emerging technologies, optimizing test environments, or enhancing collaboration between development and QA teams. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can adapt to evolving industry trends, address emerging challenges, and deliver higher quality software products that meet the evolving needs of users and stakeholders.
The Bottom Line
If you use a bug tracking and test management tool, you need to measure how effective your work is. This way, you can see if the apps you’re using are actually worth it or you need to replace them. Use the bug tracking metrics here for better results.
