Software Performance Testing Metrics for more effective testing

 

 

When the performance testing process is initiated, the success criteria need to be identified so that the testing process can be properly evaluated. When the performance test cases are planned and designed, target metrics become the focal point that needs to be pondered and worked upon. So, the baseline for performance tests is the metrics. The correct parameters need to be monitored, which will in turn help in detecting areas that required improvement and attention. In this article, you will get to know the significance of software performance testing metrics. 

Performance testing metrics - An Introduction:

Metrics are measurements and parameters that are collected during the QA process. They can be referred to as different testing types. The effectiveness of performance testing is understood through performance testing data. These performance testing metrics show how the user flow is handled in real-time and how well the software responds.

 

The following are the two types of data that need to be considered:

·         Measurements are basically the data that is recorded during testing. For example, the number of seconds it takes to respond to the request

·         Metrics are specific calculations that are developed through certain formulas applied to measurements, such as different kinds of average indicators, percentages etc.

 

The strategic importance of performance testing metrics:

Performance testing is conducted to make sure that the software application or product runs in a streamlined manner. Metrics are those specific indicators that provide crucial and specific aspects of performance tests in a systematic and detailed manner.

Milestones need to be defined to evaluate performance. Then, parameters need to be measured that fall under these milestones and hence results can be estimated and thus the expected and actual can be compared accordingly. 

Following are the key points that need to be worked upon:

·         A baseline for the tests is provided by metrics

·         The project's progress is properly tracked

·         QA team can use the metrics so that the issues can be defined and measured for finding a solution

·         Metrics can be tracked over time, which in turn helps to compare test results and thus estimate the impact of code changes.

 

 Following are a few key performance testing metrics that need to be taken into consideration:

1. Response time: The time that it takes for a request to reach the server and till the last byte is received from the server is called response time. This metric is measured in kilobytes per second (KB/sec).

 

2. Requests per second: An HTTP request is formed by the client application and then sent to the server. This request is processed by the server software, the response is generated and sent it back to the client. The metric is the total number of requests per second (RPS). These can be requests from any data source such as XML documents, JavaScript libraries, multimedia files, HTML pages etc.

 

3. User transactions: A sequence of user actions that are done via a software interface. When actual transaction time is compared with the expected time. the system's success in terms of passing the load testing can be ascertained.

 

4. Virtual users per unit of time: The software product's performance is checked to know whether it meets the stated requirements. An average load is estimated by the QA team as well as software behavior in different load conditions.

 

5. Error rate: The ratio of invalid is calculated to valid answers. The calculation of results is done in percentages. There is an expectancy of errors when software loads exceed their capacity.

 

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing software performance testing metrics for your specific project, then just visit online a leading software testing services company that will provide a tactical plan of action, so that you can derive benefit out of test automation activities in line with your project needs. 

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.