Best Practices for Effective Software Test Reporting

Jul 26, 2024 | Best Practices, Best Practices, Test Automation Insights

Best Practices for Effective Software Test Reporting
Many IT organizations have started taking a shift-left approach to testing to improve their software quality. Software testing happens much earlier in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) to detect and remediate code defects before they can make their way into production, making test reporting more critical than ever. Reports summarize what’s happening at different stages of the testing process and provide insights into why a test produced a particular result. 

Business stakeholders use software testing reports to decide when and how to release a product. In contrast, project managers use the feedback to determine how well their testing teams perform when dealing with an issue. Test reporting also answers critical questions regarding different test types’ value and stability. 

📋 Criteria for Useful Testing Reports

The core functions of test reporting involve collecting data, analyzing the results, and presenting information in an understandable format for the target audience. Let’s explore some best practices for ensuring that your reporting results provide valuable insights that help improve the accuracy of your testing efforts.

Choose a Clear and Understandable Format

When choosing a software testing report format, think about the intended audience. For example, developers want detailed information about test failures to help debug codebase problems. A tester might want an overview of test coverage and results showing specific trends. 

Essentially, you should include functional testing results that clarify each stakeholder’s testing objectives. The results should reflect the scope of each testing phase. You can present your reports in various file formats, including:

  • Text 
  • CSV/Excel 
  • PDF
  • Dashboard
  • HTML

Include Relevant Key Performance Metrics

There are several key metrics you can include in your software testing reports. For software testing summary reports, you can include the following:

  • Total test cases: the number of cases designed to measure software performance
  • Executed test cases: the number of cases executed, typically using report automation tools
  • Passed test cases: the number of cases that rated as a pass
  • Failed test cases: the number of cases that rated as a fail
  • Blocked test cases: the number of cases blocked from execution
  • Skipped test cases: any test cases not executed

Reports that include defect metrics, which are helpful for developers, typically include:

  • Total defects: the total number of defects found during a test run
  • Open defects: any defects still waiting for a resolution
  • Closed defects: any defects addressed and validated as resolved
  • Severity distribution: a breakdown of defects based on severity, often using the categories “low,” “medium,” “high,” and “critical”
  • Priority distribution: a breakdown of defects based on their priority, often using the categories “low,” “medium,” “high,” and “critical”

For those looking for test coverage results or an execution report, the metrics might include:

  • Test execution rate: percentage of tests executed from the starting total
  • Test pass rate: percentage of executed tests receiving a pass rating
  • Test fail rate: percentage of executed tests receiving a fail rating
  • Test block rate: percentage of blocked tests from the starting total

Examples of other metrics used to measure performance at each testing phase include:

  • Defect density: the percentage of defects found per code unit
  • Defect detection percentage: the percentage of defects found by a testing team versus the overall defects found by others, including end users
  • Response time: the time a system takes to respond to a user request
  • Resource utilization: how much CPU, memory, and disk space gets consumed when running tests
  • Load and stress metrics: how tests perform under different loads and stress conditions

Write the Report With Your Target Audience in Mind

The metrics you include in a software testing status report will vary based on what the requester needs. Once you figure out the testing activity your audience wants covered, start narrowing down the types of tests that should appear. For example, an incident report in software testing will have different metrics than a bug report.

Unit tests would provide information from logs and stack traces from various testing cycles, which a developer would need. Integration tests show how different components work together, while system tests give a comprehensive overview of the system’s functions.

That’s why teams need report automation tools to provide the data required for various report types. Ranorex Studio allows users to design tests that collect and store this critical information.

Remain Objective, Unbiased, and to the Point

When designing a report, keep the facts in mind. Try to include exact figures for test cases, defects, and metrics. Don’t add general estimates or include assumptions not borne out by the data. Avoid using terms like “excellent,” “poor,” or “ideal.” Stick to describing the actual outcome and showing data that informs the reader. 

Structure your report so that the information flows logically. Start with an executive summary including crucial findings and metrics, then showcase the test results. Adding sections for different test results helps the reader follow along.

Outline Actionable Insights and Recommendations

Include a summary of any defects, including their status and severity level. Describe key metrics and include visualizations like charts and graphs to support the data. End your report with a summary that doesn’t include personal information. 

Use consistent terminology throughout the report so your audience doesn’t get confused. It helps to use a standardized format for different teams and projects. When presenting conclusions and insights, include fact-based positive and negative findings. Any recommendations should be backed up by the data presented.

Take an Interactive and Collaborative Approach

The best way to ensure your reports meet the needs of your audience is to include that audience in the initial design discussions. What a developer wants to see will differ from what a project manager wants. You must understand the requirements of everyone using the report to avoid confusion and accurately reflect the established testing strategies. 

Make sure you set clear goals with each report. Examples include tracking the progress of fixes implemented by developers or improving overall software quality at each SDLC phase. Think about using standardized templates to establish a reporting framework you can use repeatedly.

🚀 Get the Insight You Need for Comprehensive Test Reporting

Ranorex Studio allows users to design tests that cover every possible scenario. That makes it easier to create reports that provide information sought by different users. Request a demo to see how Ranorex Studio can boost your testing efforts.

 

 

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