AT*SQA Webinars

Three Elements of Effective Reporting in Software Testing

The webinar, presented by Judy McKay, focuses on effective reporting in software testing to justify its value and improve project outcomes.

Key points include:

Perception and Value: Software testing is often seen as an afterthought or expense, so reports should highlight its benefits and the costs of defects if software testing is absent.

Key Reports in Software Testing:

• Cost of Quality: Emphasizes that early defect detection (e.g., $1 in requirements vs. $1,000 in production) saves time and money. A case study showed a $200,000 real cost versus a $18,550 best-case cost, advocating for better reviews.
• Defect Detection Percentage (DDP): Measures the percentage of defects caught during testing (e.g., 83% with 500 found vs. 100 in production), aiming for 95%+ to minimize escapes.
• Trend Charts: Useful for executives, these include defect convergence (open vs. fixed defects) and test execution (passed, failed, not run) charts, aiding go-live decisions and progress tracking.
Additional Metrics: Root cause analysis, testing efficiency, severity/priority, escapes, defects by area, turnaround time, and reopens help identify improvement areas.
• Best Practices: Reports should be clear, accurate, and balanced, using standard colors (green for pass, red for fail), and tailored to project needs while maintaining consistency.

The session encourages proactive defect management and clear communication to enhance software testing's perceived value.