How do you evaluate your testing methods and strategies?

1 Define your testing goals and objectives

Before you can evaluate your testing methods and strategies, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your testing. What are the quality criteria and standards that you need to meet? What are the risks and issues that you need to mitigate or prevent? What are the expectations and requirements of your stakeholders and customers? By defining your testing goals and objectives, you can align your testing methods and strategies with the desired outcomes and values of your software product.

2 Choose relevant and meaningful metrics and indicators

Metrics and indicators are quantitative and qualitative measures that help you monitor, track, and evaluate the performance and quality of your testing methods and strategies. However, not all metrics and indicators are equally useful and relevant for your testing context and goals. You need to choose the ones that reflect the aspects and dimensions of your testing that matter the most, such as coverage, defects, efficiency, effectiveness, customer satisfaction, etc. You also need to ensure that your metrics and indicators are valid, reliable, accurate, and consistent.

3 Collect and analyze data from various sources

Once you have selected your metrics and indicators, you need to collect and analyze the data that supports them. You can use various sources of data, such as test cases, test results, defect reports, feedback surveys, logs, etc. You need to ensure that your data collection methods are systematic, objective, and transparent. You also need to apply appropriate data analysis techniques, such as statistical, graphical, or qualitative methods, to derive meaningful insights and conclusions from your data.

4 Compare and benchmark your results

One of the ways you can evaluate your testing methods and strategies is by comparing and benchmarking your results against some reference points or standards. For example, you can compare your results with your previous or expected results, with your competitors or industry best practices, or with your stakeholders or customers' expectations. By doing so, you can identify the gaps, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your testing methods and strategies.

5 Communicate and report your findings

Another way you can evaluate your testing methods and strategies is by communicating and reporting your findings to the relevant audiences and stakeholders. You need to present your findings in a clear, concise, and convincing way, using appropriate formats, tools, and channels. You also need to highlight the key points, implications, and recommendations of your findings, and solicit feedback and suggestions from your audiences and stakeholders. By doing so, you can demonstrate the value and impact of your testing methods and strategies, and foster collaboration and improvement.

6 Review and improve your testing methods and strategies

The final step in evaluating your testing methods and strategies is to review and improve them based on your findings, feedback, and suggestions. You need to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of your testing methods and strategies, and identify the areas for improvement and optimization. You also need to implement the changes and enhancements that will help you achieve your testing goals and objectives, and increase the quality and value of your software product.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?