Test metrics and KPIs in Testing Fundamentals - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test checks if the system correctly calculates and displays key test metrics and KPIs such as test pass rate, defect density, and test execution progress.

Test Code - unittest

Testing Fundamentals

import unittest

class TestMetricsKPIs(unittest.TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        # Simulate test results data
        self.total_tests = 100
        self.passed_tests = 85
        self.failed_tests = 15
        self.total_defects = 10
        self.lines_of_code = 5000

    def test_pass_rate(self):
        pass_rate = (self.passed_tests / self.total_tests) * 100
        self.assertAlmostEqual(pass_rate, 85.0, places=1)

    def test_defect_density(self):
        defect_density = self.total_defects / (self.lines_of_code / 1000)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(defect_density, 2.0, places=1)

    def test_execution_progress(self):
        executed_tests = self.passed_tests + self.failed_tests
        progress = (executed_tests / self.total_tests) * 100
        self.assertEqual(progress, 100)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()

Execution Trace - 5 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Test suite starts and test data is set up with total tests, passed tests, failed tests, defects, and lines of code.	Test environment initialized with simulated test metrics data.	—	PASS
2	Calculate pass rate as (passed_tests / total_tests) * 100.	Pass rate calculated as 85%.	Assert pass rate equals 85.0 within 1 decimal place.	PASS
3	Calculate defect density as total_defects divided by (lines_of_code / 1000).	Defect density calculated as 2.0 defects per KLOC.	Assert defect density equals 2.0 within 1 decimal place.	PASS
4	Calculate test execution progress as (executed_tests / total_tests) * 100.	Execution progress calculated as 100%.	Assert execution progress equals 100%.	PASS
5	Test suite completes all tests successfully.	All assertions passed, test metrics verified.	—	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: If the calculated pass rate, defect density, or execution progress does not match expected values.

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the test verify when calculating pass rate?

A The total number of tests executed

B The percentage of tests that passed out of total tests

C The number of defects found per thousand lines of code

D The time taken to execute all tests

Key Result

Always verify that test metrics calculations use correct formulas and data inputs to ensure accurate reporting of test progress and quality.

Practice

1. Which of the following best describes a test metric in software testing?

easy

A. A tool used to automate tests

B. A measurable value that shows testing progress or quality

C. A list of test cases to be executed

D. A document describing software requirements

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of test metrics

   Test metrics are measurable values that help track testing progress or quality.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the definition

   Only A measurable value that shows testing progress or quality describes a measurable value related to testing progress or quality.

3. Final Answer:

   A measurable value that shows testing progress or quality -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Test metric = measurable value [OK]

Hint: Test metrics measure progress or quality, not tools or documents [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing test metrics with test cases
• Thinking test metrics are tools
• Mixing metrics with documentation

2. Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating Defect Density?

easy

A. Number of defects / Size of software module

B. Number of test cases executed / Total test cases

C. Total test time / Number of testers

D. Number of passed tests / Number of failed tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Defect Density formula

   Defect Density is calculated as the number of defects divided by the size of the software module (e.g., lines of code).

2. Step 2: Match formula with options

   Number of defects / Size of software module matches the correct formula; others describe different metrics.

3. Final Answer:

   Number of defects / Size of software module -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Defect Density = defects / size [OK]

Hint: Defect Density = defects divided by size of module [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing defect density with test execution ratio
• Confusing numerator or denominator
• Using passed tests instead of defects

3. Given the following data:
Total test cases = 100
Test cases executed = 80
Test cases passed = 60
Defects found = 10
What is the Test Execution Rate (in percentage)?

medium

A. 90%

B. 60%

C. 75%

D. 80%

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Test Execution Rate formula

   Test Execution Rate = (Test cases executed / Total test cases) * 100

2. Step 2: Calculate using given data

   (80 / 100) * 100 = 80%

3. Final Answer:

   80% -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Execution Rate = executed / total * 100 = 80% [OK]

Hint: Divide executed by total test cases, multiply by 100 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using passed tests instead of executed tests
• Forgetting to multiply by 100 for percentage
• Mixing up numerator and denominator

4. A test report shows:
Total tests = 50
Passed tests = 45
Failed tests = 10
Identify the error in the report.

medium

A. Total tests should equal passed plus failed tests

B. Failed tests cannot be more than passed tests

C. No error, the report is correct

D. Passed tests cannot be more than total tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Check sum of passed and failed tests

   Passed tests (45) + Failed tests (10) = 55, which is greater than total tests (50).

2. Step 2: Verify consistency of totals

   Total tests should equal the sum of passed and failed tests for accuracy.

3. Final Answer:

   Total tests should equal passed plus failed tests -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Total = passed + failed [OK]

Hint: Total tests must equal passed plus failed tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring mismatch in totals
• Assuming passed tests can exceed total
• Not validating report consistency

5. You want to improve your testing process by focusing on the most important metrics. Which KPI should you track to measure the effectiveness of your testing in finding defects?

hard

A. Test Case Preparation Status

B. Test Execution Rate

C. Defect Detection Percentage (DDP)

D. Test Environment Availability

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand KPI purpose

   KPIs highlight key metrics to track for specific goals, here to measure defect finding effectiveness.

2. Step 2: Identify KPI related to defect detection

   Defect Detection Percentage (DDP) measures how many defects are found compared to total defects, showing testing effectiveness.

3. Step 3: Compare other options

   Test Execution Rate measures progress, Test Case Preparation Status and Environment Availability do not measure defect finding effectiveness.

4. Final Answer:

   Defect Detection Percentage (DDP) -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Effectiveness KPI = Defect Detection Percentage [OK]

Hint: Track Defect Detection Percentage to measure defect finding [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing progress metrics with effectiveness KPIs
• Choosing environment or preparation metrics
• Ignoring the goal of measuring defect detection