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Metrics and Mindset: How to Know Your QA is Actually Working

By Jasnoor Singh

So you’re running a QA team, but how do you really know if it’s working? Sure, your tests are finding bugs, but is that enough? Sometimes it feels like you’re testing without a clear direction, but that’s where metrics come in. They’ll help you understand what’s actually happening with your process. But let’s not forget—QA isn’t all about the numbers. It’s also about having the right mindset and skills.

Let’s dive into this. How do we measure success in QA? Well, it’s a mix of metrics and mindset. One without the other, and you’re kinda missing the point.

1. QA Metrics: What Should You Even Be Measuring?

Okay, so you’ve got to track things. But what’s worth tracking? Let’s talk about the metrics that’ll actually help you.

Image: QA Metrics Overview

Defect Density: This is how often defects appear in certain areas of your software. If you’re seeing a lot of issues in one area, it’s a red flag. This is your way of saying, “Something’s off here. Let’s focus on this area more.”

Test Coverage: Pretty simple. How much of your software is getting tested? If you’re testing all the features, awesome. If not, you might want to consider testing the riskier areas—because that's where bugs are most likely to pop up.

Pass/Fail Rates: This one is super simple but really useful. If your tests are passing 90% of the time, great. But ask yourself—are they too easy? Are you testing the hard stuff? Or just the easy paths? Maybe it’s time to shake things up.

Test Execution Time: We all love fast testing, right? If your tests are running slow, that’s time you could be spending on other things. Streamlining your test execution is key.

KPIs: Measuring Progress

Now, let's talk KPIs. These are the things that tell you if you’re actually improving over time. They give you a bigger picture.

Escaped Defects: Ouch. These are the bugs that make it to production. And your users are the ones finding them. Not a good look. If your escaped defects are high, it’s time to rethink your process. What slipped through the cracks?

Defect Fix Rate: How fast is your team fixing bugs once they’re found? The faster, the better. No one wants to be stuck on the same issue for days or weeks.

Customer-Reported Defects: Bugs your customers report are always bad news. They indicate something’s wrong in your testing process. If customers are finding bugs, that means your testing didn’t cover the right stuff. Think about that next time you run your tests.

Feedback Loops: Listen to the Data

Now, here's the thing: metrics are only useful if you use them. That’s why feedback loops are so important. They’re the secret to continuous improvement. If you’re measuring but not changing anything based on what you see, what’s the point?

Automated Testing: Automated tests give you feedback FAST. You don’t have to wait forever to see if something broke. That means you can fix things quicker, too.

Collaboration: QA isn’t a one-man show. Developers, testers, product managers—they all need to work together. Sharing insights, talking about issues, and finding solutions as a team makes everything smoother.

Using Metrics to Improve Testing

Image: Analysing metrics

Alright, so metrics are great, but the real magic happens when you use them to improve your testing. You don’t want to just track data for the sake of it. Look at the numbers and ask: where can we speed things up? Where can we find more bugs? What’s taking too long? Fixing these things leads to more efficient and effective testing.

2. The Human Side of QA: Skills and Mindset Matter

We’ve talked about metrics, but let’s not forget that QA isn’t just about the tools or the numbers. It’s also about having the right skills and mindset. A great QA person isn’t just technical—they’re creative, they’re critical thinkers, and they’re always learning.

Image: Skills and mindset needed for QA

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Good QA testers aren’t just running tests—they’re figuring out what could go wrong and finding solutions before those problems even happen. They think ahead, they troubleshoot, and they anticipate issues.

Analytical Thinking: If you’re a tester, you’ve got to analyze everything. Look at how all the pieces fit together and try to figure out where things might go wrong. You’ve got to see the whole picture, not just the small details.

Creative Testing: Don’t just follow the script. Great testers think outside the box. They test things that others might not think of. They’re always finding new ways to break the software, and that’s what makes them awesome.

Attention to Detail

QA is all about catching those tiny, sneaky bugs that no one else sees. Little things can make a huge difference, and if you miss them, they can cause big problems later. A great tester notices every little thing.

Thoroughness: Test everything. Don’t skip over things. It’s the only way to ensure nothing gets missed. And if it feels like you’ve tested something enough—test it again.

Consistency: You’ve got to be consistent. If you test one way one time, then do it again the same way every time. Being consistent in your testing ensures you don’t overlook any small issue.

Communication and Collaboration

Testing isn’t done alone. QA is about working with others—whether that’s developers, product managers, or other testers. Good testers communicate well, write clear reports, and make sure everyone’s on the same page.

Bug Reporting: Your bug reports need to be clear. No one has time to guess what’s wrong with the software. Tell them exactly what went wrong, how to reproduce it, and why it matters.

Working with Others: Testing isn’t isolated. You’ve got to work with the entire team to improve. The more you collaborate, the better you’ll do.

Keep Learning and Growing

QA is always changing, and the best testers know they can never stop learning. Whether it’s new tools or better ways to approach testing, you’ve got to stay up-to-date.

Learning New Tools: There’s always something new to learn in the world of QA. Whether it’s a new automation tool or a different approach, always be open to learning.

Adapting: Whether it’s agile, DevOps, or whatever else, testing is constantly evolving. The best testers are the ones who adapt and grow with the process.

Wrapping It Up: Metrics and Mindset – The Dynamic Duo

Image: Planning out test cases

So, what’s the takeaway? If you want a successful QA process, you need both metrics and the right mindset. Metrics will tell you where you’re succeeding and where you need to improve. The right mindset will help you actually make those improvements happen. Combining both leads to higher-quality software, faster testing, and a more efficient process overall.

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