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3 - Defect Reporting

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Understanding Defects

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, let's discuss what a defect is. A defect is essentially a bug or error in a software application that deviates from expected behavior. Can anyone provide an example of what a defect might look like?

Student 1
Student 1

An example might be when I click the submit button, but nothing happens.

Student 2
Student 2

Or when an application crashes unexpectedly!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Those are great examples. Remember, defects can result from features not functioning, poorly implemented requirements, or even mismatches between UI and expectations. Let’s keep these in mind as we explore further.

When to Report a Defect

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Teacher
Teacher

Can anyone think of situations when you should report a defect?

Student 3
Student 3

If a feature is supposed to work but doesn't, it should be reported.

Student 4
Student 4

Also, if there's a performance issue, like slow loading times, that should be reported too.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Factors like functionality failures, UI discrepancies, and performance issues are critical triggers for reporting defects. Always be on the lookout for these conditions. How can we track these defects once we've identified them?

Defect Report Template

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s take a look at a defect report template. What fields do you think are essential in documenting a defect?

Student 1
Student 1

I think a summary and detailed description are essential.

Student 2
Student 2

And the severity and priority levels too!

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! The summary captures the issue succinctly, while the description details how to reproduce it. Including severity and priority is critical to manage urgency. Remember, a well-structured report helps teams address issues more effectively.

BA's Role in Defect Reporting

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Teacher
Teacher

Finally, let's talk about the Business Analyst's role in defect reporting. What do you think their responsibilities might include?

Student 3
Student 3

They would need to raise defects that are found during testing.

Student 4
Student 4

Also, they can clarify requirements during triage sessions.

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! BAs play a crucial role in both reporting defects and ensuring that the requirements are clear and understood. Once fixes are applied, they may also be involved in retesting. This connection between quality assurance and business needs ensures better software outcomes.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section outlines the definition of defects in software, the criteria for reporting them, and a template for documenting defects.

Standard

Understanding defect reporting is crucial for maintaining software quality. The section covers what constitutes a defect, the scenarios that warrant reporting, and a structured template for documenting defects to facilitate effective communication and resolution.

Detailed

Defect Reporting

Defect Reporting is a vital process in software development that involves documenting and communicating issues identified during the testing phase. A defect, also known as a bug, is a deviation from the expected behavior of the software as defined by its requirements or acceptance criteria.

What is a Defect?

A defect arises when there is a failure in the software to meet its predefined requirements or operational expectations. This can include scenarios where features do not function as intended, requirements are poorly implemented, user interface elements are inconsistent with user expectations, or performance issues arise.

When to Report a Defect?

Defects should be reported in several situations, including but not limited to:
- A feature does not function as expected.
- An implemented requirement does not match the specifications.
- User interface discrepancies from user story expectations.
- Any issues regarding performance, security, or usability.

To document these defects effectively, it’s crucial to use a defect report template that includes fields such as:
- Defect ID
- Summary
- Description
- Severity
- Priority
- Environment
- Screenshot
- Status
- Reported By

In addition, the role of Business Analysts (BAs) in defect reporting encompasses raising defects found during user acceptance testing (UAT), clarifying misunderstood requirements during defect triage, and engaging in retesting once fixes are applied.

By adhering to structured documentation and prompt communication, teams can ensure that defects are resolved efficiently, ultimately leading to higher software quality.

Audio Book

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What is a Defect?

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A defect (or bug) is a deviation from the expected behavior of the system, as defined by the requirements or acceptance criteria.

Detailed Explanation

A defect refers to any situation where the software does not work as intended based on the specifications provided. This could mean a feature does not behave as expected, or there is an error in how a requirement has been implemented. It's essential to understand that defects are not limited to just malfunctioning features; they can also include issues with performance, security, or usability that deviate from what was planned.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a recipe for a cake where it says to bake for 30 minutes. If the cake is burned because it was left in for too long, that's a defect. Just like in software, where expected behavior (cake baking time) should match the actual behavior (burnt cake).

When to Report a Defect?

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● A feature doesn't work as intended
● A requirement is incorrectly implemented
● There’s a mismatch between UI and user story expectations
● Performance, security, or usability issues are found

Detailed Explanation

Reporting defects should occur at specific times during the software testing process. A defect should be reported when a feature fails to function as expected, when a requirement does not align with what was implemented, or when discrepancies arise between the user interface and user expectations. Additionally, any issues that may affect the software's performance, security, or accessibility should be reported to ensure a seamless user experience.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you order a burger without pickles, but it arrives with extra pickles. This is a direct representation of a mismatch in expectations and reality. Just like food orders, software needs to meet user expectations and requirements; any divergence is something that needs reporting.

Defect Report Template (Fields)

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Field Description
Defect ID Unique identifier
Summary Short title of the issue
Description Detailed steps to reproduce
Severity Impact on functionality (High, Medium, Low)
Priority Business urgency (P1 - Critical, P2 - Moderate, etc.)
Environment Where the issue occurred (Staging, Prod, etc.)
Screenshot Visual evidence if applicable
Status Open, Assigned, Fixed, Retested, Closed, etc.
Reported By Name of the person raising the defect

Detailed Explanation

A defect report contains several key pieces of information that help in identifying and resolving the issue effectively. These include a unique identifier for tracking the defect, a brief summary for quick reference, and a detailed description of how to reproduce the defect. The severity and priority fields assess how critical the defect is to the business and the current environment it was found in. Screenshots can aid in illustrating the defect, while the status indicates where the defect is in the resolution process.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a customer complaint form at a restaurant. It includes sections for the complainant's name, a brief description of the issue, the urgency of the complaint, and the current status of resolution. This structure helps ensure that the management can quickly identify and resolve issues, similar to how a defect report helps programmers fix bugs in software.

Example Defect

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Field Sample Entry
Summary Error message not shown on invalid login
Severity Medium
Priority P2
Steps to Reproduce
1. Go to Login Page
2. Enter wrong credentials
3. Click Login
Expected Result "Invalid username/password" message should appear
Actual Result No message is displayed
Status Open

Detailed Explanation

In this example defect report, we can see how the fields are filled out to provide clarity on a specific issue within the software. The summary describes the problem succinctly, and the severity and priority help determine how quickly it needs to be addressed. The steps to reproduce the defect are crucial for developers as they provide a clear pathway to replicate and investigate the issue. The expected vs. actual results help in understanding what went wrong.

Examples & Analogies

Picture a tech support ticket, where you detail the problem you're experiencing with your internet connection. You provide your location, the type of router, and describe the exact issue. This kind of detail allows the technician to replicate the problem swiftly and effectively, much like a well-structured defect report does for software developers.

BA’s Role in Defect Reporting

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● Raise defects found during UAT or requirement validation
● Clarify misunderstood requirements during defect triage
● Retest or support test case updates after fix is applied

Detailed Explanation

Business Analysts (BAs) play a crucial role in the defect reporting process. They are responsible for identifying and reporting defects during User Acceptance Testing (UAT) or while verifying requirements. BAs also help clarify any misunderstood requirements during discussions about defects, which is known as defect triage. After a defect is fixed, BAs may need to retest the functionality to confirm that the issue has been resolved, ensuring that the software now meets business expectations.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the BA as the liaison between a client (the end-user) and the engineers (developers). If a client complains that their new house has a leaky roof, the BA investigates this issue by talking to the client and reviewing construction plans. Once the builders fix the roof, the BA double-checks to ensure the problem is resolved, just as they would in software testing.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Defect: A variance from expected software performance.

  • Severity: Classification of defect impact on functionality.

  • Priority: An urgency classification for addressing defects.

  • Defect Report Template: A structured format for documenting defects.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • An application crashes when the user attempts to save a file, indicating a defect.

  • A login feature successfully allows access with 'password' instead of the intended 'complexpassword123' resulting in a security defect.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Defects are bugs, no need for rucks, report them quick, to fix the muck!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine you are a detective uncovering bugs in a software program. Your job is to identify the issues, document them professionally, and ensure they are resolved for a flawless user experience.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • S.P.O.T. - Severity, Priority, Outcome, Template; remember these for reporting defects effectively.

🎯 Super Acronyms

R.B.I. - Report, Bug, Impact; this acronym helps recall the steps in defect reporting.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Defect

    Definition:

    A deviation from the expected behavior of a software application.

  • Term: Bug

    Definition:

    Another term for a defect; often used interchangeably.

  • Term: Severity

    Definition:

    The impact level of a defect on functionality, classified as High, Medium, or Low.

  • Term: Priority

    Definition:

    The urgency level of resolving a defect, often categorized as P1, P2, etc.

  • Term: Environment

    Definition:

    The setting where the defect occurred, such as staging or production.