To report a defect in software testing, log the issue in a tracking tool with a clear summary, steps to reproduce, severity, environment details, and supporting evidence such as screenshots or logs.
- Understand the Software Requirements: Review design documents, code documentation, and consult developers to grasp what the software is supposed to do.
- Identify Expected Inputs: Compile a list of all potential inputs the software could handle based on the requirements.
- Define Expected Behaviors: For each input, determine the corresponding expected output or behavior the software should exhibit.
- Create a Test Plan: Write a clear, detailed plan outlining how you’ll provide inputs and capture the resulting outputs or behaviors.
- Execute Tests: Run the software and perform all the inputs outlined in your test plan. Record any discrepancies between the actual and expected behavior. Mark unexpected behaviors as bugs or potential features (benign bugs).
- Refine and Iterate: Expand your list of possible inputs and actions as new scenarios arise. Revisit and repeat the process, updating your test plan as necessary.
What is the defect management process in software testing?
The defect management process is a structured approach in software testing to identify, document, track, and resolve defects to ensure quality in the final product. In the SDLC, any deviation from the expected result is reported as a defect. Testers document defects with details to aid developers in resolving them effectively.
Here are the steps in the Defect Management Process:
- Defect Identification: Testers identify deviations or mismatches between expected and actual results during testing.
- Defect Logging: The defect is logged in a defect tracking tool (e.g., Jira, Bugzilla, QA Touch) with key details:
- Summary of Defect: A concise title describing the issue.
- Priority/Severity: Indicates its impact and urgency.
- Steps to Reproduce: Detailed instructions to recreate the issue.
- Environment Details: OS, browser, hardware, or software configurations where the issue occurs.
- Regression Details: Specifies if the issue has recurred in production.
- Browser Details: Includes version and type for web-based defects.
- Defect Assignment: The defect is assigned to the responsible developer or team for resolution.
- Defect Fixing: Developers analyze and fix the defect. If needed, they communicate with testers for clarification.
- Defect Verification: Testers retest the application to verify the defect is resolved and ensure no new issues arise.
- Defect Closure: Once the fix is verified, the defect status is updated to ‘Closed’.
- Reporting and Analysis: Generate reports on defect trends, severity, and resolution times to improve future processes.
