Test Automation KPIs

Anushree Chatterjee

KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in test automation are like gauges in a car dashboard. Each gauge provides specific information about a critical aspect of the car’s performance. Similarly, KPIs help you monitor your test automation efforts’ health, efficiency, and effectiveness. This information then guides you to make informed decisions and improvements.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the common KPIs used in test automation.

How do KPIs differ from metrics?

Metrics and KPIs are quite different, even though they are used interchangeably. Metrics are like tracking individual game scores, while KPIs are like assessing overall season performance.

Here’s a quick view of how the two differ from each other.

Read more about QA testing KPIs.

KPIs in test automation

Let us go through some important KPIs that are useful in test automation.

Test automation coverage

It indicates the extent to which your testing process is covered by automated tests.

How to calculate it?

% of test automation coverage = [(Number of automated test cases) /(Total number of test cases)] x 100

A higher percentage means a greater proportion of your test cases are automated. This can potentially lead to quicker feedback, more consistent testing and reduced manual effort. On the other hand, a lower percentage indicates that a significant portion of testing is still manual which may slow down the testing process and require more manual effort.

When should it be used?

• Strategic planning: To determine the scope of automation and to set goals for increasing test automation.
• Progress tracking: To monitor the growth of automation coverage over time and evaluate the effectiveness of automation efforts.
• Resource allocation: To decide where to focus resources and efforts in automation versus manual testing.

Considerations in using this KPI

• Quality of automated tests: High coverage doesn’t necessarily mean high-quality tests. Ensure that automated tests are thorough and reliable.
• Changing requirements: As test requirements evolve, both the total number of test cases and the automated coverage may need adjustments.
• Resource balance: Aiming for 100% automation might not be feasible or cost-effective. Balance automation with manual testing based on priorities and available resources.
• Complexity of test cases: Some test cases might be more complex to automate than others. Consider the feasibility and value of automating specific test scenarios. Read which tests to automate first.

Test execution time

It provides insight into the efficiency and performance of your test automation suite.

How to calculate it?

It measures the total time taken to execute the entire suite of automated tests.

Test execution time = End time - Start time

A short execution time indicates that the test suite runs efficiently. This provides quicker feedback to the development team and reduces the time between code changes and test results. On the other hand a longer execution time suggests inefficiencies in the test suite or potential issues such as overly complex test cases or resource constraints. This may delay feedback and extend development cycles.

When should it be used?

• Performance evaluation: To assess the efficiency of your automated test suite and identify potential bottlenecks.
• Optimization: To track changes in execution time before and after optimizations or updates to the test suite.
• Continuous integration: To monitor how changes in code or tests affect the execution time in CI/CD pipelines. Read more about continuous testing.

Considerations in Using This KPI

• Test suite size and complexity: Larger and more complex test suites generally take longer to execute. Break down large suites into smaller, more manageable subsets if execution time becomes a concern.
• Test environment: Execution time can be influenced by the performance of the test environment (e.g., server load, network issues). Ensure that your test environment is optimized for performance.
• Parallel execution: Utilize parallel test execution to reduce overall test execution time by running multiple tests simultaneously.
• Test quality: Ensure that tests are well-designed and efficient. Inefficient or poorly written tests can contribute to longer execution times. Read how to write test cases (examples).
• Frequent monitoring: Regularly monitor and review test execution times to identify trends, optimize tests and maintain efficient feedback cycles.

Defect detection rate

It measures the effectiveness of your automated tests in identifying defects.

How to calculate it?

Defect detection rate (%) = [(Number of defects found by automated tests) / (Total number of defects)] x 100

High defect detection rate indicates that a significant portion of defects is being identified by automated tests. This suggests that your automated test suite is effective in uncovering issues. On the other hand, a low defect detection rate suggests that automated tests miss a large number of defects. This may indicate gaps in test coverage or test quality.

When should it be used?

• Effectiveness assessment: To evaluate how well automated tests are identifying issues compared to other testing methods.
• Improvement tracking: To monitor the impact of changes in test automation strategies on defect detection over time.
• Quality assurance: To ensure that automated testing is contributing effectively to overall product quality. Here is a test automation playbook.

Considerations in using this KPI

• Test coverage: Ensure that your automated tests cover all critical areas of the application. Gaps in test coverage can lead to lower defect detection rates.
• Test quality: The effectiveness of automated tests in finding defects depends on the quality of the test cases. Well-designed, comprehensive tests will be more effective.
• Defect types: Consider the types of defects being detected. Automated tests may be more effective at catching certain types of issues while missing others.
• Complementary testing: Automated testing should be complemented by other testing methods (e.g., manual testing, exploratory testing) to get a thorough defect detection process.
• Trend analysis: Track the defect detection rate over time to identify trends and make adjustments to your test automation strategy as needed.

In-sprint automation

This KPI focuses on how much of the test automation effort is integrated and delivered within the same sprint as the related development work.

How to calculate?

In-sprint automation (%) = [(Number of automated test cases created in sprint) / (Total number of test cases created or updated in sprint)] x 100

High in-sprint automation indicates that a significant portion of the test automation work is being completed within the same sprint as the related development. This suggests a strong alignment between development and testing efforts and can lead to faster feedback and integration.

Low in-sprint automation suggests that test automation is being completed outside of the current sprint. This might delay feedback and affect the overall agility of the development process.

When should it be used?

• Sprint planning: To gauge how much of the test automation work is aligned with the sprint goals and development tasks. Read more about in-sprint planning.
• Sprint review: To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating test automation into the development cycle and to assess sprint performance.
• Continuous improvement: To track and improve the integration of automation within the sprint and to ensure automation keeps pace with development.

Considerations in using this KPI

• Sprint scope: The scope and complexity of the sprint can affect the in-sprint automation rate. Larger sprints might have more challenging integration.
• Automation quality: Make sure that the focus on in-sprint automation does not compromise the quality of automated tests. Automation should be reliable and maintainable.
• Resource availability: Adequate resources and time should be allocated to support both development and automation tasks within the sprint.
• Integration with development: Effective collaboration between developers and testers is crucial for achieving high in-sprint automation. Ensure that automation tasks are well-coordinated with development activities.
• Balance with other tasks: In-sprint automation should be balanced with other testing and development tasks to avoid overloading the sprint.

Test script reusability

It assesses how well test scripts can be repurposed rather than created from scratch for each new test or project.

How to calculate it?

Test script reusability (%) = [(Number of reused test scripts) / (Total number of test scripts)] x 100

High test script reusability indicates that a significant portion of your test scripts can be used across different scenarios or projects. This leads to cost savings, reduced effort, and improved efficiency in maintaining and updating tests. Low test script reusability suggests that test scripts are more specialized and not easily reusable. This can lead to increased effort in creating and maintaining test scripts for different projects or scenarios. Read how to save budget on QA.

When should it be used?

• Test development: When designing and developing test scripts, make sure that they are created with reusability in mind.
• Automation strategy: To evaluate the effectiveness of your test automation framework and identify opportunities for improving script reusability.
• Cost efficiency: To assess how well the test automation efforts are optimized. This helps to reduce redundancy and increase efficiency.

Considerations in using this KPI

• Script design: Make sure that test scripts are designed with reusability in mind, such as using modular, parameterized, and maintainable scripts.
• Test framework: The effectiveness of reusability depends on the test automation framework and how well it supports reusable components and libraries.
• Maintenance effort: Reusable test scripts should be easy to maintain and update. Overly complex or tightly coupled scripts may become difficult to manage.
• Contextual suitability: Evaluate whether reused test scripts are appropriate for different contexts and scenarios. Scripts should be adaptable to changes in requirements and environments.
• Documentation: Proper documentation and organization of test scripts can enhance test reusability. Team members find it easier to understand and utilize existing scripts due to this documentation.

Test automation ROI

It measures the financial benefits gained from investing in test automation compared to the costs incurred. It helps evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of automation efforts in terms of return on investment.

How to calculate it?

Test automation ROI (%) = {[(Total benefits from automation)-(Total cost of automation)] / (Total cost of automation)} x 100

• Total benefits from automation: This includes cost savings, efficiency gains, and any other measurable improvements due to automation (e.g., reduced manual testing time, fewer defects).
• Total costs of automation: This includes the costs of implementing and maintaining the automation framework, tools and resources (e.g., initial setup costs, ongoing maintenance).

Positive ROI indicates that the benefits gained from test automation exceed the costs. This suggests that automation is financially worthwhile and delivers value. Negative ROI suggests that the costs of automation outweigh the benefits. This means that the automation efforts may need to be reassessed or improved to achieve better returns.

When should it be used?

• Investment decisions: To assess whether investing in test automation is financially justified and to support decision-making regarding automation projects.
• Performance evaluation: To evaluate the financial impact of automation efforts and measure the success of automation initiatives.
• Cost management: To monitor and manage the costs associated with automation and ensure that the benefits outweigh the expenses.

Considerations in using this KPI

• Accurate measurement: Ensure that both benefits and costs are accurately measured and attributed to automation. Benefits should include both quantitative and qualitative factors.
• Cost variability: Consider that automation costs can vary based on factors such as tool licensing, team expertise and maintenance needs. Regularly review and update cost estimates.
• Long-term impact: ROI should be evaluated over the long term as initial costs may be high, but the benefits of automation often accumulate over time.
• Quality vs. quantity: Focus on the quality of automated tests and the value they bring and, not just the number of tests automated. Effective, high-quality automation can provide a higher ROI.
• Comparative analysis: Compare ROI with other investment options or methods to ensure that automation is the best use of resources and to justify future investments.

Automated test pass percentage

It provides insight into the stability and reliability of the automated test suite.

How to calculate it?

Automated test pass percentage = [(Total number of passed automated test cases) / (Total number of automated test cases executed)] x 100

A high pass percentage indicates that a large proportion of your automated test cases are passing, which suggests a stable and reliable test suite. A low pass percentage suggests that a significant number of automated test cases are failing. This could indicate issues with the test suite, test environment, or application under test.

When should it be used?

• Test suite health: To assess the overall health and effectiveness of your automated test suite.
• Quality assessment: To evaluate how well the automated tests are performing and identify any issues that need to be addressed.
• Continuous integration: To monitor automated test results in CI/CD pipelines and ensure that code changes do not introduce new defects.

Considerations in using this KPI

• Context of failures: Analyze the nature of failed tests. Not all failures are due to issues with the application. Some may be caused by changes in the test environment or test script issues.
• Test quality: Ensure that automated tests are well-designed and cover the relevant scenarios. High pass percentages should be complemented by test quality to ensure meaningful results.
• Environment stability: The stability of the test environment can affect test results. Ensure that your test environment is consistent and reliable to avoid false positives or negatives. Know more about managing the test environment.
• Continuous monitoring: Regularly monitor the automated test pass percentage to identify trends and address any recurring issues. A sudden drop in pass percentage may indicate underlying problems that need to be investigated.
• Balancing pass percentage with coverage: A high pass percentage is valuable, but it should be balanced with adequate test coverage. Ensure that the test suite covers critical and high-risk areas of the application.

Maintenance efforts

It measure the amount of time and resources required to keep automated test scripts up-to-date and functioning correctly. This includes updating tests to reflect changes in the application, fixing issues with the automation framework and ensuring that automated tests remain relevant and effective over time.

How to calculate it?

Maintenance efforts (%) = [(Time spent on maintenance) / (Total time spent on testing)] x 100

High maintenance efforts indicate that significant resources are required to keep the test scripts and automation framework current. This could suggest that the tests are complex, frequently changing, or poorly designed. Low maintenance efforts suggest that the test scripts are relatively stable and do not require frequent updates. This indicates good maintainability and stability of the test suite.

When should it be used?

• Resource planning: To assess and allocate resources to maintain the automated test suite effectively.
• Budgeting: To estimate and control costs associated with maintaining the automation framework and scripts.
• Quality assessment: To evaluate how much effort is needed to keep automated tests up-to-date and functioning well which can impact overall test quality.

Considerations in Using This KPI

• Complexity of test scripts: Complex test scripts may require more maintenance. Simplifying and modularizing test cases can help reduce maintenance efforts.
• Application changes: Frequent changes to the application can increase maintenance efforts. Align test maintenance with application release cycles and changes.
• Framework stability: A stable and well-designed automation framework can reduce maintenance efforts. Invest in a robust framework to minimize long-term maintenance needs.
• Test documentation: Proper documentation and organization of test scripts can make maintenance tasks easier and more efficient.
• Continuous improvement: Regularly review and optimize test scripts and processes to reduce maintenance efforts and improve overall efficiency.

Read here how to decrease test maintenance by 99.5%

Efficient test automation with testRigor

The test automation tool you use plays a big role in helping you achieve the desired results. Traditional tools may slow you down with maintenance overhead, complicated test creation processes, or complex user interfaces. Quite often, these tools require coding to automate functional or end-to-end test cases, which again limits the number of people who can participate in the automation testing.

With the introduction of AI in software testing, automation testing has become faster and more efficient. testRigor is one of those few tools that exemplifies it through its simplistic UI and test creation process.

Features of testRigor

• Simple English test creation: With testRigor, you can create test cases in plain English language without worrying about unstable CSS/XPath locators. This is perfect for teams that want to involve non-technical folks in the QA process since there is no prerequisite of knowing about programming languages or implementation details of UI elements. testRigor only expects you to use natural language, English, to tell what you want it to test. There are a few ways to do this.
  • Use the record-and-playback feature to capture the test case and generate plain English test cases when you execute it. You can update and execute these recorded test cases at any point in time.
  • Let the generative AI feature build test cases for you with just a brief description of the test scenario. testRigor will come up with various test scripts that are functional and ready to run. You can even create corner cases for particular test scenarios through this generative AI feature.
• Easy onboarding and setup: testRigor does not require extensive training of either your QA team or the tool itself, unlike many other AI-based tools. Just create accounts on this cloud platform and get busy building test cases.
• A single tool for many platforms: Test various applications like native mobile and native desktop apps, web-based apps, and even your legacy systems. Since testRigor emulates a human tester, what goes under the hood of the application-under-test is of little consequence to this tool.
• Supports various testing types: Perform different kinds of testing such as regression testing, smoke testing, UI testing, functional testing, end-to-end testing, UAT testing, API testing, and more. It also includes support for visual testing, email testing, file, database, QR code, SMS, and audio testing.
• Near-zero maintenance: You can get ultra-stable test runs and minimal test maintenance as testRigor uses AI here as well to self-heal test cases.
• Secure platform: This platform is fully cloud-hosted, which means there are no extra infrastructure expenses. testRigor is also a secure platform that is SOC2 certified.
• Advanced reports and logging: Every test run provides details about the execution, such as screenshots, relevant error messages, which are again in simple English, and video recordings. It also captures technical details such as console logs and technical errors.
• LLM Testing: Perform testing of complex LLMs using testRigor’s powerful AI features testing capability. Secure your LLMs using testRigor; read more about the top 10 OWASP and how to test them.

There’s a lot more you can do with this tool. Take a look at its features over here.

“We spent so much time on maintenance when using Selenium, and we spend nearly zero time with maintenance using testRigor.”

Keith Powe VP Of Engineering - IDT