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7 Essential Testing Metrics in Agile: A Guide for Stakeholders

June 22, 2023

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WillDom
WillDom can help you increase customer satisfaction with an Agile methodology.

The race towards delivering cutting-edge digital products is relentless. Stakeholders are often caught in the whirlwind of iterative releases, where the margin for error narrows with each sprint. It’s here that Agile testing metrics emerge as an anchor for quality assurance, guiding teams towards excellence.

The Importance of Testing Metrics in Agile Projects

Agile is commonly used for better communication, integration, transparency, and the successful operation of the development process. These methodologies are based on the usual fast pace of software development, which requires the testing of the software to be fast-paced.

Several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be included in each roadmap initiative, which should be linked to the program objectives. In addition, success criteria should be included for each product requirement, such as end-user adoption rate or percentage of code covered by automated testing.

Agile Metrics You Must Include in Your Project

The adoption of testing metrics sets a new standard for excellence in project execution. From providing clear visibility into the progress and health of the project to enabling data-driven decision-making, testing metrics are constantly guiding teams through the complexities of project development. 

Here are some of the Agile metrics you must include in your project:

#1 – Sprint burndown report

An Agile framework contains scrum teams. They organize their processes into sprints. Since a sprint is time-bound, it’s essential to track task progress frequently. 

A sprint burndown report tracks the completion of different tasks during a sprint. Meaning that time and work left to complete are the two main measurement parameters. 

The X-axis refers to the time while the Y-axis represents the amount of work that’s yet to be completed. The unit of measurement is hours or story points. The team forecasts the workload at the beginning of a sprint and the target is to complete the workload by the end of the sprint.

To use as reference: Adapt Methodology’s Burndown chart, the ultimate guide

#2 – Control chart

In Agile, control charts focus on the duration from the “in progress” to the “complete” status of tasks. Their purpose is to check the cycle time of a single issue.

Teams with consistency in cycle times have predictable deliveries. Besides this, teams with short cycle times have a high throughput. When units measure cycle times, they improve the flexibility of their processes. For instance, in the case of changes, you can discern the results instantly.

To use as reference: iSixSigma’s The Complete Guide to Understanding Control Charts

#3 – Velocity 

Velocity measures the average work a team does during a sprint. 

The report, in this case, contains several iterations. The accuracy of the forecast depends on the number of iterations. The more iterations, the more precise the estimates. The unit of measurement is hours or story points. Velocity also determines the ability of a team to work through backlogs. As time passes, the team’s velocity tends to evolve.

To ensure consistent performance, it’s crucial to track velocity in an Agile metrics dashboard.

To use as reference: Kissflow’s Velocity in Agile: Definition, Formula, How to Measure, and FAQ

#4 – Workflow efficiency

Flow efficiency calculates the proportion of Working Time and Waiting within the total time dedicated to completing a process. It is one of the most critical metrics in Lean management and one of the most interesting measures of the value chain.

To use as reference: Atlassian’s What is Lean methodology?

#5 – Cumulative flow diagram

The cumulative flow diagram (CFD) ensures consistency in workflow across the team. 

The X-axis represents time. The number of issues is on the Y-axis. Ideally, the diagram should be smooth from left to right. Smooth out the color bands in cases of uneven flow. The band narrowing means throughput is higher than the rate of entry.

To use as reference: Kissflow’s The Complete Guide to Cumulative Flow Diagrams

#6 – Lead time

Lead time is the period between the moment of requesting delivery of a product and the actual delivery. 

All the processes to bring a product to completion come under lead time. It also includes developing a business requirement and fixing bugs. 

Lead time is an important metric. The reason for this is that it provides an exact time calculation for every process.

To use as reference: Think Lean Six Sigma’s What is Lead Time? Learn how to calculate it!

#7 – Code coverage

Code coverage measures the percentage of code unit tests covered. 

You can run this metric with every build. It represents the percentage of code coverage in raw form. This metric gives a decent perspective on progress, but it doesn’t cover other kinds of testing. Thus, high code coverage numbers don’t necessarily represent high quality.

To use as reference: ACCELQ’s Benefits of code coverage for testers

Challenges in Measuring Agile Testing Effectiveness

Measuring how well Agile testing works does come with its challenges. The dynamic nature of Agile teams and projects, with their quick cycles and changing requirements, makes it hard to set consistent standards.

Here are 10 challenges that stakeholders often face:

  1. Varying definitions of success: Different teams may have different criteria for what constitutes a successful test, leading to inconsistencies in measurement.
  2. Quantifying quality: Software quality is a subjective metric, and quantifying it meaningfully can be challenging.
  3. Rapid changes: Agile projects evolve rapidly, and relevant metrics in one iteration may become obsolete in the next.
  4. Balancing speed and quality: Striking the right balance between rapid delivery and high quality is a constant challenge.
  5. Test coverage: Ensuring that tests cover all aspects of the application, including new features and regression, is difficult.
  6. Fluctuating team dynamics: Changes in team composition can affect testing effectiveness and the consistency of metrics.
  7. Tool integration: Integrating various tools to capture and analyze metrics can be complex and time-consuming.
  8. Data overload: Collecting too much data can be overwhelming and may obscure the metrics that truly matter.
  9. Interpreting metrics: Understanding what the metrics indicate about the project’s health may not be as simple as expected.
  10. Actionable insights: Turning metrics into actionable insights requires expertise in the matter.

The Consequences of Avoiding Agile Metrics

The lack of Agile metrics can cause conflict where statistics are used as a weapon, pitting one development team against another and justifying mandatory work on the weekend. These reasons are enough, and not surprisingly, to say that most Agile teams will have a love-hate relationship with Agile metrics.

At WillDom, we believe in the importance of teams with an Agile development process. We offer a self-organizing Agile team of software developers and engineers who will provide you with added flexibility and scalability when needed.

How the right metrics can empower stakeholders

The proper set of metrics can give stakeholders a clear view of where the project stands. These metrics can provide an early warning about potential issues so stakeholders can step in, reduce risks, use resources wisely, and get the project back on track.

Furthermore, the correct metrics can increase team performance, allowing stakeholders, developers, and testers to collaborate more effectively. With a standard set of data to refer to, everyone can have more meaningful discussions, align their goals, and work towards a shared objective.

We Can Help You Leverage the Power of Agile Testing Metrics!

As a stakeholder, you should be focusing on the big picture and growth of your project, not getting lost in the details of testing metrics. Understanding and analyzing these metrics is essential, but it shouldn’t detract from your primary responsibilities.

At WillDom, we know the ins and outs of Agile testing metrics. We are committed to making sure your Agile journey is informed, efficient, and in line with your business goals. Together, we can build an Agile development team that turns data into decisions and metrics into milestones.

Contact WillDom today to learn how we can help your Agile projects succeed!

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