Testing Metrics: Measure your Testing Success (Part 4)

Neha Sehgal
1 day ago
2 min read

Measuring Testing Results for Quality Improvement

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein

Just like this insight, challenges in the testing process - such as evolving business requirements, misaligned testing efforts, and inefficient defect tracking - cannot be effectively addressed by following the traditional approaches. Addressing them requires evaluating the current process using defined metrics and identifying the areas for improvement systematically.

While rigorous testing cycle is conducted throughout various testing phases - often leaving limited opportunity to evaluate and improve testing practices - the Test Closure phase is essential for refining testing approaches and enhancing future releases to drive business improvement.

Previous blogs in this ‘Testing Metrics’ series covered metrics used during Requirement Analysis, Test Planning and Test Execution phases. In this blog, we will explore the metrics used during Test Closure phase.

1. Planned vs. Executed Test Cases

This metric measures the completeness of test execution and ensures that all planned tests were run. While identifying the tests which were not run, this metric helps in highlighting the essential gaps before release.

Formula:

Execution Rate (%) = (Executed Test Cases/Planned Test Cases) × 100

Target: ≥95% of planned test cases executed

Note: Ensure reviewing unexecuted cases for potential risks.

2. Pass/Fail Percentage

This shows the success rate of executed test cases, thereby reflecting product stability and readiness.

Formula:

Pass/Fail % = (Passed/Failed Test Cases/Executed Test Cases) × 100

Target: High pass percentage (≥90%)

3. Test Case Effectiveness

This metric measures how effectively test cases detect defects. This is helpful in assessing test coverage quality and efficiency.

Formula:

Test Case Effectiveness (%) = (Defects Detected/Executed Test Cases) × 100

Target: ≥70–80% effectiveness for critical modules with all high-severity defects detected during testing.

4. Defects Rejected

This counts defects closed as invalid, duplicate, or not reproducible, highlighting testing and defect-reporting quality.

Formula:

Rejected Defects (%) = (Rejected Defects/Total Defects Logged) × 100

Target: ≤5–10% to ensure accurate defect reporting.

5. Escaped Bugs

This metric highlights the defects found after release in production, indicating the residual risk not caught during testing.

Formula:

Escaped Bugs = Total defects reported in production after release

Target: Zero critical/high severity escaped bugs with overall escaped defects minimized.

Sprint Metrics Matrix

Let’s look at the ideal sprint metrics matrix during Test closure phase.

Release/ Cycle	Planned vs Executed	Pass %	Test Effectiveness	Defects Rejected	Escaped Bugs	Notes
Release 1	95%	92%	30%	5%	0	Ready for release

Conclusion

The test closure phase provides a clear snapshot of testing effectiveness and allows testing teams to improve processes for future cycles. When applied consistently, testing remains aligned with business goals while supporting quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.