Metric
A metric is a quantitative measure used to evaluate the attributes of a product, process, project, or testing activity.
“A measurement scale and the method used for measurement.”
(Definition reproduced from the ISTQB Glossary. Copyright belongs to ISTQB.)
View the complete ISTQB GlossaryWhat is Metric?
Metrics transform collected measurements into meaningful information that supports decision-making, progress tracking, and quality improvement.
Quantitative evaluation: Metrics express performance using numbers.
Decision support: Managers use metrics to assess project status and quality.
Continuous improvement: Trends reveal opportunities for process optimization.
Real World Example
A regulated product team is preparing a release where Metric appears in reviews, test design conversations, or defect triage rather than as an isolated glossary word.
The risk is that the team treats Metric 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 Metric and similar ideas.
The page becomes useful in practice because Metric is connected to a specific testing decision, not memorized as a detached definition.
Practice Questions
Question 1
Which statement BEST describes Metric in the context of ISTQB terminology?
Question 2
A tester needs to explain Metric to a non‑technical stakeholder. Which approach is MOST appropriate?
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