performance-test-planning

# Performance Test Planning

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

- **Performance Test Planning tasks** - Designing load profiles, capacity planning, SLA validation
- **Planning or design** - Need guidance on performance testing approaches
- **Best practices** - Want to follow established patterns and standards

## Overview

Performance testing validates that systems meet non-functional requirements under expected and peak loads. Effective planning identifies critical paths, defines realistic load profiles, and establishes measurable success criteria.

---

## Performance Test Types

| Type | Purpose | Load Pattern | Duration |
|------|---------|--------------|----------|
| **Load Test** | Validate expected load | Normal traffic | 15-60 min |
| **Stress Test** | Find breaking point | Increasing until failure | Until failure |
| **Soak Test** | Find memory leaks | Sustained normal load | 4-24 hours |
| **Spike Test** | Handle sudden bursts | Sharp increase/decrease | 10-30 min |
| **Capacity Test** | Determine max capacity | Incremental increase | Variable |
| **Scalability Test** | Validate horizontal scale | Increasing with resources | Variable |

---

## Load Profile Patterns

### Ramp-Up Pattern

```text
Users
  │
100├────────────────────────●
  │                   ●────
  │              ●────
50├         ●────
  │    ●────
  │●────
 0└─────────────────────────►
   0    1    2    3    4    5 min
```

### Spike Pattern

```text
Users
  │         ●
  │        ╱ ╲
500├──────╱   ╲──────
  │     ╱     ╲
  │    ╱       ╲
100├───●         ●───
  │
 0└─────────────────────────►
   0   5   10  15  20 min
```

---

## Quick Reference: Metrics Targets

| Metric | Target | Critical Threshold |
|--------|--------|-------------------|
| Response Time (p50) | < 100ms | < 200ms |
| Response Time (p95) | < 200ms | < 500ms |
| Response Time (p99) | < 500ms | < 1000ms |
| Throughput | > 1000 RPS | > 500 RPS |
| Error Rate | < 0.1% | < 1% |
| CPU Utilization | < 70% | <