Defects are serious and often small errors/mistakes can be expensive for a business. Anyone involved in the software development process knows what to do when they find a defect. They need to report it, either in a defect tracking tool or a defect tracker. The principles for using the defect tracker are the same. It is obvious that defect trackers do not guarantee 100% defect-free software yet by implementing the best practices, this is certainly possible to improve your software quality. In order to appreciate the good, it is necessary to recognize what is not. We know for sure that it is impossible for a QA manager to achieve a 100% bug-free application. However, it is at the discretion of the QA manager to lead things the way he wants to. He can recheck and decide if the defect is valid/complete or not, and it is solely his decision.
1.Some Developers have a Lazy Attitude
Some clients also have an SLA (service level agreement) for the number of acceptable and invalid defects. Once this number exceeds the limits, they can penalize the contractors for each invalid defect reported. Thus, defect tracking should not be considered a simple and easy process. Defect tracking should be done with due diligence.
Resolution: It is important to take responsibility for your deliverable. Sometimes a defect may come back due to lack of information, or simply because it may not be a bug. It may not always be a developer’s fault and it is not that they may not want to own the problems in the app. It could definitely be confusion or a mistake on another team’s part. So it is important to take defects seriously, and leave no room for confusion by actively participating in the defect reporting process.
2.Recording Bugs in Haste
During the testing phases of a product development lifecycle, there are different stages where defects can appear. Sometimes, developers fail to understand the severity of an issue or bug and report them in a haste. Often, a bug may not be affecting the quality or performance of an app but it may have an effect on the user experience. It is important to make your decision wisely.
Resolution: Anyone reporting a bug should not be in rush. Make sure that they completely understand the impact of the issue from different angles. This is how testers can add value to the software quality assurance process by using defect tracking tools. It is not just performed to ensure that it is not working, it is important to address the concerns as to what will happen if this continues to not work. There is a huge difference between the two situations, and both should be considered proactively.
3.Creative Suggestions and Feedback
Testers have a great opportunity to provide their feedback and suggestions on how to improve a software app. In a defect tracking tool, a tester can also submit a response to provide suggestions to enhance the features. This is where a tester can get creative and think out of the box to improve the user experience.
Resolution: if a tester thinks that a certain feature is missing a factor and knows how to add something extra to that feature, he should share his idea. The only worst thing that could happen is it could get rejected. But the main thing here to be creative and keep trying. Make sure testers use this skill cautiously. They should never make negative comments. Instead of making direct comments, alternative ways should be used to define the suggestions.
4.Working on your own all the time
Another mistake that a developer makes is that he tries to work on a piece of code all by himself. He never seeks help or assistance from other team members, so much so that he ends wasting his own time. Sometimes, he assumes that he is building a product the right way but you may not be doing so.
Resolution: It is important to involve other team members in your defect tracking process their work can improve when you discuss ideas with them and also help in mentoring less experienced members in a team, who are most likely to get stuck in the defect tracking process.
All the above defect reporting habits should be avoided so that QA and development teams can make the most of their software testing efforts. They should also use their defect tracking tools diligently to achieve the expected results.