Defect Management Process in Software Testing
A bug/defect in a software application is the consequence of a fault that has occurred during coding. It means the desired application does not meet user expectations or the original business requirements. It causes unexpected or incorrect results when the application is used.
Software testers usually come across these defects when they execute test cases. They discover defects when the application behaves differently from the way it is supposed to. Defect management in software testing refers to the process of systematically identifying and fixing bugs.
A defect management process consists of the following steps:
- Discovery
- Categorization
- Fixing/Resolution
- Verification
- Closure
- Reports
Leading software testing companies go about implementing each step of the defect management process to ensure the app is optimal. Here is a briefing on how each step is implemented:
Discovery:
In this phase, the QA team has to identify as many defects as possible, before the end customer can discover them. A defect is said to be discovered and changed to status accepted when it is acknowledged and accepted by the developer end.
In case the testing team and the developers do not reach an agreement, the role of the test manager becomes extremely crucial here as he/she gets to decide whether the developers are right or the testers are.
Categorization:
Defect categorization enables the software developers to prioritize their tasks. This allows them to fix the kind of defects that are very much crucial to the application. Defects are normally categorized by the test manager and done so in the following way:
- Critical: The defects that need to be fixed immediately or they may cause great damage to the product.
- High: Defects that may impact critical features of the product/app.
- Medium: Defects that cause a minimal deviation from the product requirement.
- Low: Defects that have a very minor effect on the product's functioning.
A critical defect can be when the login function of the application does not work as it should and a high priority defect can be when the desired app is working too slowly.
Resolution:
Defect resolution in software testing is a step by step procedure of fixing the defects. The process begins with assigning defects to developers and developers scheduling the defect to be fixed according to priority.
Following this, the defects are fixed and developers then send a report of resolution to the test manager. This process helps them to fix defects and for testers to track defects easily.
Resolution comprises of the following steps:
- Assignment of defects to the developers.
- Creating a schedule for fixing these defects.
- Fixing the defects.
- Getting a report of resolution from developers when defects are fixed.
Verification:
After the development team fixes and report the defects, the testing team verifies that the defects are resolved. This is very important to ensure there are escaped defects that can impact the application later.
For instance, if there are 50 defects discovered in an application and the developers tell you they have fixed them, as testers, you need to verify if the said defects have really been fixed.
Closure:
Post the resolution and verification of a defect, the status of the defect changes to 'closed'. If it does not, you need to get the fixing of the defect redone through developers.
Reports:
Defect reporting in software testing is a process in which test managers send the defect reports to the test management team and seek their feedback on the same. In turn, the test management team compiles and checks the defect and provides further support if needed.
Adequate defect reporting helps testers in improving communication, tracking, and explaining defects in detail.
Conclusion:
Defect management is a vital part of the software testing process as it systematically irons out all the flaws in an application and enables it to be market-ready. Top software testing companies and the best QA outsourcing companies emphasize this.
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