How do you balance the quantity and quality of your test metrics and dashboards?

1 Define your goals and audience

Before you start collecting and displaying test metrics, you need to define your goals and audience. What are the key questions you want to answer with your metrics? Who are the stakeholders who will use and benefit from your metrics? How will they use them to make decisions or take actions? By clarifying these aspects, you can focus on the most relevant and meaningful metrics for your context and avoid wasting time and resources on unnecessary or irrelevant ones.

2 Choose the right metrics

Choosing the right metrics is crucial for ensuring the quality and usefulness of your test metrics and dashboards. You should select metrics that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of using vague metrics like "test coverage" or "test quality", you should use more specific ones like "percentage of requirements covered by test cases" or "number of defects found per test case". You should also avoid using too many metrics that can create confusion or contradict each other. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than 7-10 key performance indicators (KPIs) per dashboard.

3 Visualize your metrics effectively

Visualizing your metrics effectively can help you communicate your test results and insights more clearly and persuasively. You should use appropriate charts and graphs that suit your data type and purpose. For example, use pie charts for showing proportions, bar charts for showing comparisons, line charts for showing trends, and scatter plots for showing correlations. You should also use consistent colors, labels, and formats to make your dashboard easy to read and understand. Avoid cluttering your dashboard with too much information or unnecessary elements that can distract or confuse your audience.

4 Validate and update your data regularly

Validating and updating your data regularly is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of your test metrics and dashboards. You should verify that your data sources are correct and consistent, that your data collection methods are robust and reliable, and that your data analysis methods are valid and unbiased. You should also review and update your data periodically to reflect the latest changes and progress of your testing activities. You should also document your data sources, methods, and assumptions to increase the transparency and credibility of your metrics.

5 Solicit feedback and improve continuously

Soliciting feedback and improving continuously is important for enhancing the quality and value of your test metrics and dashboards. You should ask for feedback from your stakeholders, peers, and users on how they perceive and use your metrics and dashboards. You should also monitor and measure the impact and outcomes of your metrics and dashboards on your testing processes and goals. Based on the feedback and results, you should identify the strengths and weaknesses of your metrics and dashboards and make improvements accordingly.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?