Systematic measures for capturing, assessing, and managing software defects. Supports prioritization, quality monitoring and trend analysis for continuous improvement.
Defect metrics are measurable indicators that quantify occurrence, severity and handling of software faults. They enable trend analysis, prioritization of fixes and assessment of release readiness. When applied correctly, they increase transparency and guide investments in maintenance and quality assurance.
Number of defects per 1,000 lines of code; used to compare components.
Average time to remediate a defect from report to verification.
Share of defects that escaped tests and reached production.
Compute number of defects per 1,000 LOC to compare components.
Share of production defects not detected by prior tests.
Average time from defect report to fix and verification.
Define standard definitions for defects and severities.
Connect sources (issue tracker, tests, CI) and normalize data.
Select core metrics, implement dashboards and define thresholds.
Establish regular reviews and retrospectives for interpretation.