Start automating your tests 5X Faster in Simple English with Testsigma
Try for freeTest coverage metrics ensure that every part of the software is tested, ensuring reliability and quality. These metrics also help identify areas that need more attention and improve software performance and user experience.
In this blog, we will discuss test coverage metrics from different perspectives.
Table Of Contents
Test Coverage Metrics in Software Testing
1. Functional Coverage:
Functional coverage measures the extent to which all functional requirements of a software application have been tested. It ensures that all features and functionalities specified in the requirements are tested. This metric helps identify gaps or missing functionalities that must be addressed before releasing the software.
For example,
Software application: Online banking website
To ensure functional coverage of an online banking website, the following features and functionalities should be tested:
- Login and logout: Users should be able to log in and out of their accounts using their username and password.
- Account management: Users should be able to view their account balances, transaction history, and other account information. They should also be able to update their personal information and security settings.
- Funds transfer: Users should be able to transfer money between their accounts and to other accounts within the same bank or at other banks.
- Bill pay: Users should be able to schedule and pay bills electronically.
- Check deposit: Users can deposit checks remotely using their smartphone or computer.
- Customer support: Users should have access to customer support through various channels, such as phone, email, and live chat.
2. Product Coverage:
Product coverage focuses on testing different aspects of the software product. It includes various dimensions such as user interfaces, hardware configurations, operating systems, browsers, and databases. By covering different combinations of these dimensions, testers can ensure the software works across various environments.
For example,
Software application: Web application
Product coverage dimensions:
- User interfaces: Desktop and mobile versions
- Operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Browsers: Chrome, Safari, and Firefox
- Databases: MySQL and PostgreSQL
By executing test cases covering the above dimensions, testers can ensure that the web application works on many devices, operating systems, browsers, and database connections.
3. Test Execution Coverage:
Test execution coverage is an essential aspect of software testing. It examines different combinations of user interfaces, hardware configurations, operating systems, browsers, and databases. By conducting tests across various environments, testers can identify potential issues or bugs.
Later, they can ensure that the software functions for all users. This whole approach to testing helps enhance the software’s quality and reliability.
By executing all test cases on all supported environments, testers can be confident that the mobile app will work for all users.
4. Requirements Coverage:
By thoroughly testing the software in different scenarios and environments, testers can ensure that all the required functionalities and features work as intended, providing a seamless user experience.
For example,
Here is how testers can ensure requirements coverage for an online banking website:
Requirement: Users must be able to transfer money between their accounts.
- Users must be able to view their account balance and transaction history.
- Users must be able to pay bills online.
- Users must be able to deposit checks online.
- Users must be able to set up recurring transfers and payments.
- Users must be able to receive alerts for account activity.
- Users must be able to dispute charges.
- Users must be able to contact customer support for assistance.
Testers should execute test cases that cover all of the requirements(functional and non-functional.) for the online banking website, such as performance, security, and usability.
This will ensure sufficient requirement coverage for the online banking website.
5. Risk coverage:
By conducting thorough testing, testers can identify and mitigate potential risks associated with this software. This includes identifying vulnerabilities, security loopholes, and potential system failures that could threaten the software’s performance and user data.
By addressing these risks, testers can enhance their software’s reliability and security, ensuring a safe and trustworthy user experience.
For example,
Software application: Online banking website
Risks:
- Security vulnerabilities
- Fraudulent transactions
- System outages
By executing test cases related to these risks, testers can ensure risk coverage.
Test Coverage Metrics in Agile Testing Approach
In Agile testing, measuring how thorough the testing process has been for every iteration is essential. By using test coverage metrics in Agile, teams can ensure that all of the code and functionality are tested and that the software is ready for release for every iteration/sprint.
Test Coverage Metrics from a Practical Perspective
So far, we have seen how vital these metrics are in testing. They enable testers to evaluate the effectiveness of test cases by determining the extent to which the application’s code or functionality has been tested. By providing insights into the thoroughness and completeness of testing efforts, these metrics are invaluable for making informed decisions.
They help identify areas that require additional testing, reduce the risk of undetected defects, and prioritize testing by focusing on critical areas with low test coverage.
Tracking these metrics over time enables teams to monitor progress and ensure enough coverage is achieved before software release. These metrics serve as a guidepost for evaluating the quality of software testing processes and instilling confidence in the software product.
Continuous Improvement Through Test Metrics
Improving software development and test metrics is essential. Test metrics provide helpful feedback and insight into the quality of software products, allowing teams to identify areas that need improvement.
By measuring and analyzing test metrics, teams can get a clear picture of the effectiveness of their testing efforts. They can also identify trends and make data-driven decisions to improve the quality of their products.
Test metrics include data points such as test coverage, defect density, and test execution time. By analyzing these metrics, teams can identify areas of the applications more prone to defects and find ways to increase testing efforts.
Continuous improvement through test metrics helps teams simplify training processes, optimize resources, and deliver higher-quality software products to customers.
Summary
To ensure software quality, use test coverage metrics to identify areas that need more testing and establish achievable objectives. Continuously monitor and adjust these metrics to meet rigorous standards for dependability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three metrics in testing?
There are three categories of metrics used for software testing:
1. Process Metrics: These are quantitative measures used to assess the efficiency of a process based on factors such as speed, time, and resource utilization. Managers can analyze these metrics and establish new guidelines for the given phase.
2. Product Metrics: These measures evaluate the quality, size, performance, and efficiency of the tested product.
3. Project Metrics: Metrics used to assess the quality and productivity of the project, as well as the utilization of resources, cost, and time, fall under project metrics.
What are the most essential test metrics?
Test metrics are essential for evaluating software testing. By monitoring metrics like test coverage, defect density, and execution time, teams can identify areas for improvement and maintain high quality.
However, not all metrics are equally important, so choosing the right ones is crucial for informed decision-making and better testing.
