ISTQB CTAL TAE Session 36 - 5.1 - Selection of TAS Metrics

Summary

This training series episode delves into the pivotal aspect of test automation reporting and metrics. It introduces the importance of monitoring indicators for effective test automation, covering the selection of relevant metrics, their implementation, and the significance of comprehensive logging. The episode also distinguishes between external and internal test automation metrics, emphasizing the benefits of automation and how they can be measured, such as time savings, increased coverage, and early defect detection, ultimately highlighting the value added to the testing process.

Takeaways

• 🚦 The video discusses the importance of test automation reporting and metrics, comparing it to a car dashboard that provides essential information for driving.
• 📊 The script is divided into four key sections: selection of T metrics, implementation of measurement, logging of T and Su, and test automation reporting.
• 🔍 Section 5.1 focuses on choosing the most relevant metrics for a test automation project to monitor the strategy and effectiveness of the automation.
• 📈 T metrics are divided into external and internal metrics, with external metrics measuring the impact on testing activities and internal metrics assessing the automation's performance.
• 🛠️ External T metrics include automation benefits, effort to build and maintain tests, test incident analysis, and code coverage, among others.
• 🔧 Internal T metrics involve tool scripting metrics, automation code defect density, and the speed and efficiency of T components.
• 💡 The benefits of test automation should be clearly communicated, as they might not be immediately visible, especially to those not directly involved in the process.
• 📉 Possible measures of automation benefits include efficiency gains, streamlined regression testing, expanded testing scope, and early defect detection.
• 🔄 The script emphasizes that the benefits of test automation align with the original goals set for the automation project, such as saving time, enhancing coverage, or reducing errors.
• 📝 It's important to distinguish between T metrics, which are managed by the test automation manager and engineer, and Su related metrics, which are managed by the project's overall test manager.
• 🌐 Measuring the benefits of test automation reveals its true value, including efficiency, accuracy, and agility, and encourages further leveraging of its potential.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the chapter on test automation reporting and metrics?

The chapter focuses on the information and numbers gathered from automated tests, similar to a car dashboard, to monitor various indicators and ensure everything is on track in test automation.

How many key sections are there in the exploration of test automation reporting and metrics?

There are four key sections: selection of T metrics, implementation of measurement, logging of the T and Su, and test automation reporting.

What does Section 5.1 focus on in the context of test automation?

Section 5.1 focuses on the selection of the most relevant metrics for a test automation project, specifically for monitoring the test automation strategy and its effectiveness and efficiency.

What are the two main things that test automation strategy metrics are used to assess and keep track of?

Test automation strategy metrics are used to assess and keep track of how well the planned approach for automating tests is working and the effectiveness and efficiency of the chosen automation strategy in achieving its intended goals and objectives.

What is the distinction between test automation metrics and Su related metrics?

Test automation metrics are used to track the progress of the test automation effort and evaluate its performance, managed by the Test Automation Manager (TAM) and Test Automation Engineer (TAE). Su related metrics, on the other hand, monitor the system under test and its functional and non-functional aspects, managed by the Project's overall test manager.

What are the two categories of test automation metrics mentioned in the script?

The two categories of test automation metrics are external T metrics, which measure the impact of T on other activities, particularly testing activities, and internal T metrics, which measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the T in fulfilling its objectives.

What is the significance of measuring automation benefits in test automation?

Measuring automation benefits is important to highlight the value and advantages of test automation, such as time savings, increased testing coverage, and reduced errors, which may not be immediately visible to everyone, especially those not directly involved in the process.

How can the benefits of test automation be measured?

Benefits can be measured through efficiency gains, number of hours of manual test effort saved, streamlined regression testing, enhanced test execution, expanded testing scope, and early defect detection, among others.

What is the purpose of calculating the test automation ratio?

The test automation ratio, which is the percentage of automated test cases related to the entire set of test cases, helps to understand the balance between automated and manual testing in the process, although it does not indicate which is better or more effective.

How does test automation enable additional manual testing?

Test automation saves manual test effort, which can be devoted to other kinds of manual testing, such as exploratory testing. Defects found by these additional tests can be seen as indirect benefits of test automation.

What is the conclusion of the session on test automation reporting and metrics?

The conclusion emphasizes that measuring the benefits of test automation reveals its true value, acknowledging the efficiency, accuracy, and agility it brings to the testing process, and inspiring continued leveraging of its potential for more impressive outcomes.