There is a wide variety of defect management software available in the market. Businesses consider factors such as speed, integration, and features of the software while making their selection. While making this tough decision, it is useful to have a handy defect management report template, to ensure all basic requirements of the defect management process are met by the selected software.
A good defect management report enables clear communication and quicker resolution of the defect.
Here are 6 basic features of a defect management report to ensure a smooth and efficient defect management process is in place:
1. Description
Defect description serves as an introduction to the defect in the software. Both the defect and the application must be identified by their names to generate a basic description of the error. The title should have the effect of a summary. Without opening the report, the viewer should grasp the essence of the issue. Also, a defect/ bug Number or ID is required. This should not be confused with the defect/ bug title, or considered as a substitute for it; the defect/ bug ID helps team members to easily track the bug. This section may also contain the name of the reporter and the date of reporting.
2. Place
This section must contain the location of the defect. If the location is a web page, a source URL must be provided. It is also a good idea to familiarize the developer with the user’s technical environment i.e. the device used, browser and application version.
3. Effect
This section must have full details of the defect. The more elaborate the description, the easier it is for the developers to address the problem. However, incorporating visuals can speed up the process. Screenshots with highlighted sections quickly point the developer in the right direction, without having to read lengthy textual descriptions.
4. Test
The tests done to track and correct the defect should be listed here. Listing each step taken to reproduce the defect will lead to quicker bug correction.
5. Results
The status of the report must be displayed i.e. if the report is active or complete. This is to be followed by the results. A summary explains the gist of the matter, while detailed results expand on the report. A difference between actual versus expected results may also be reported to give an in-depth sense of the experience.
6. Comments
Any extra information can be listed here for better defect management tools. These comments may not be directly relevant to the defect but will add to the overall understanding of the experience. For example, the severity and priority of the error may be addressed. With such information, major defects will be handled before the trivial ones and completed promptly. Listing the due date and the developer to whom the report was assigned to, can also go under this section.
Author Bio
Ray Parker is a senior marketing consultant with a knack for writing about the latest news in tech, quality assurance, software development, and travel. With a decade of experience working in the tech industry, Ray now dabbles out of his New York office.
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