Measurement
Measurement is the process of assigning values or numbers to attributes of products, processes, or projects according to defined rules.
“The process of assigning a number or category to an entity to describe an attribute of that entity.”
(Definition reproduced from the ISTQB Glossary. Copyright belongs to ISTQB.)
View the complete ISTQB GlossaryWhat is Measurement?
Measurements provide objective information that supports quality evaluation, decision-making, and process improvement throughout software development and testing.
Objective data: Measurements quantify observable characteristics.
Defined methods: Consistent measurement requires standardized procedures.
Decision support: Metrics are derived from collected measurements.
Real World Example
A regulated product team is preparing a release where Measurement appears in reviews, test design conversations, or defect triage rather than as an isolated glossary word.
The risk is that the team treats Measurement as interchangeable with nearby ISTQB terms. That makes test scope blurry and can lead to weak evidence for the release decision.
The tester anchors the discussion in the official definition, asks where the concept appears in the product, and designs examples that show the difference between Measurement and similar ideas.
The page becomes useful in practice because Measurement is connected to a specific testing decision, not memorized as a detached definition.
Practice Questions
Question 1
Which statement BEST describes Measurement in the context of ISTQB terminology?
Question 2
A tester needs to explain Measurement to a non‑technical stakeholder. Which approach is MOST appropriate?
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