Test Progress, Monitoring and Control

Test Progress Monitoring

Test monitoring is the ongoing activity of gathering information about testing activities and comparing actual progress against the test plan.

• Tracking test case execution status (passed, failed, blocked, not run).
• Monitoring defect discovery and resolution rates.
• Tracking coverage metrics against requirements or code.
• Reporting progress through test summary reports and dashboards.

Common Test Metrics

• Percentage of test cases executed and passed.
• Number of defects found, fixed, and reopened.
• Defect density and defect leakage.
• Test coverage percentage.

Test Control

Test control involves taking corrective actions based on the information gathered during monitoring — for example, re-prioritising tests, adjusting the schedule, adding resources, or changing the test approach to keep the project on track.