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3.1 - What is a Defect?

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Introduction to Defects

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're discussing defects. Can anyone tell me what a defect is?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it just an error in the system?

Teacher
Teacher

Good observation! A defect is indeed an error or deviation from what's expected in a system based on its requirements. We often refer to it as a bug.

Student 2
Student 2

So, are all defects serious issues?

Teacher
Teacher

Not always. Defects can vary in severity. Some can be major issues impacting functionality, while others might be minor UI mismatches.

Student 3
Student 3

How do we identify these defects?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Defects are identified during testing which aligns with the expected outcomes outlined in the requirements.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, understanding defects is crucial as they affect product quality. They must be addressed to ensure smooth user experiences.

Reporting Defects

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Teacher
Teacher

Once a defect is identified, how do you think we communicate this issue?

Student 4
Student 4

Maybe just tell the developer?

Teacher
Teacher

Informal communication isn’t enough. We need a formal defect report to capture all necessary information.

Student 1
Student 1

What should be included in that report?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! A defect report typically includes a unique defect ID, a summary of the issue, detailed reproduction steps, severity, priority, and environment details.

Student 2
Student 2

What's the difference between severity and priority?

Teacher
Teacher

Severity relates to the impact on functionality, while priority indicates how urgently it needs to be addressed. For instance, a critical defect needs fixing right away, while a minor UI error might be lower on the list.

Teacher
Teacher

Remember, clear and detailed reporting ensures effective communication and resolution of defects, which is vital in quality assurance.

Defect Examples and Severity

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's look at some examples of defects. Can anyone think of a scenario where a defect might occur?

Student 3
Student 3

Maybe when a user cannot log in?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! If the login fails without showing an error message, that’s a significant defect. How severe do you think this would be?

Student 4
Student 4

It sounds high severity because it stops users from accessing the system.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Any defect that hinders primary functionality should be treated with high severity. What about a typo in the header? How severe is that?

Student 1
Student 1

Low severity since it doesn't affect functionality.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Understanding the severity helps prioritize the defects effectively during the testing process.

Importance of Defect Management

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Teacher
Teacher

Why do you think defect management is crucial?

Student 2
Student 2

To keep improving the software, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Effective defect management is key to ensuring the final product meets quality expectations and business goals.

Student 3
Student 3

And if defects aren't managed well, what could happen?

Teacher
Teacher

Well, unaddressed defects can lead to poor user experiences, lost customer trust, and ultimately, lower retention rates. It's vital we track and resolve defects promptly.

Teacher
Teacher

In conclusion, a systematic approach to defect management can greatly enhance software quality and user satisfaction.

Introduction & Overview

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

Quick Overview

A defect is a discrepancy between the expected and actual behavior of a system, indicating issues that need resolution.

Standard

Defects, also known as bugs, arise when a software feature doesn't function as intended or diverges from specified requirements. Reporting and documenting these defects is crucial for maintaining software quality and ensuring user satisfaction.

Detailed

In software testing, a defect refers to any deviation from the expected behavior of a system, as outlined by its requirements or acceptance criteria. Defects can manifest in various forms, including functionality issues, performance problems, or mismatches between the user interface and the expected user experience. It is essential for Business Analysts (BAs) to identify, document, and report these defects during testing phases, especially during User Acceptance Testing (UAT) or requirement validation. Reporting defects involves creating a defect report which typically includes fields such as defect ID, summary, description, severity, and steps to reproduce. The accurate reporting of defects directly impacts the quality of software and helps in ensuring that all components meet the necessary business requirements.

Audio Book

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Definition of 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, commonly referred to as a bug, occurs when a system does not perform as expected based on its requirements. This could mean that there is an issue with a feature that has been developed, leading to incorrect results or behavior that was not anticipated.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a TV remote that is supposed to change channels when you press the button. If it doesn’t do that and instead turns the volume up, that unexpected behavior is akin to a defect in the remote's functionality.

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

Defects should be reported in various scenarios. If a feature does not function as it should, or if the implementation does not align with the defined requirements, these are situations where a defect needs to be raised. Furthermore, discrepancies between the user interface and user expectations, as well as any performance or security concerns, warrant defect reporting.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine ordering a meal at a restaurant. If you ordered a vegetarian dish and received a chicken salad instead, this is a direct mismatch between your request and what was delivered, similar to reporting a defect in a software system.

Defect Report Template

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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 should capture essential information that helps track and manage the issue. Each entry includes a unique identification number for the defect, a summary to encapsulate the issue quickly, and a detailed description that outlines how the defect can be reproduced. It also requires information regarding the severity and priority for quick prioritization in fixing it. The environment where the defect was found helps contextualize the issue, while the status indicates its current handling stage.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a checklist when submitting a project at work. Similar to ensuring the completion of all tasks in the checklist (like the defect report template), missing items can lead to confusion about what still needs to be addressed. The more organized the report, like a well-composed checklist, the easier it is for teams to address the issues.

Example Defect Report

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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, the issue identified is that no error message appears when a user tries to log in with incorrect credentials, which should naturally prompt a warning. The report outlines the severity and urgency of the issue, as well as clearly defined steps to reproduce it. This example helps visualize how a defect is documented and communicated within a team.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine trying to enter a secured building with the wrong password. If the system fails to alert you that your password is incorrect, it creates confusion. Similar to the defect report, documenting the issue ensures awareness and provides steps to investigate the failure in the security system.

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 pivotal role in reporting defects. They are responsible for identifying and raising defects during the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase or while validating requirements. Furthermore, if there are points of misunderstanding regarding the requirements, BAs help clarify them during defect triage, ensuring accurate communication. After defects are fixed, BAs may also retest the fixes or assist in updating related test cases.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a project manager who spots issues during a project and communicates these to the team. Like the BAs, their clarification helps everyone on the team understand what went wrong and allows them to take effective action to fix the issues, ensuring the final operational outcome meets expectations.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Defect: A bug or issue in the system that diverges from expected behavior.

  • Severity: The level of impact a defect has on software functionality.

  • Priority: The urgency with which a defect needs to be resolved.

  • Defect Report: A document detailing the specifics of a defect.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • Example of a defect: A system crashes when users try to upload a file, which is categorized as a high severity defect.

  • Example of low severity defect: A misspelled word in the footer of a web page that does not affect functionality.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Defects in the code, don't be mad, report them right, or things go bad.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine you’re a detective. Each defect you find is a clue that leads to better software. Without reports, you miss vital evidence!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember DPSS: Defect ID, Summary, Priority, Severity to recall fields in a defect report.

🎯 Super Acronyms

SPAR

  • Severity
  • Priority
  • Affect
  • Report for easy defect management.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Defect

    Definition:

    A deviation from the expected behavior of a system, as specified by requirements.

  • Term: Severity

    Definition:

    The impact a defect has on the functionality of a system (High, Medium, Low).

  • Term: Priority

    Definition:

    The urgency with which a defect must be addressed (Critical, Moderate, etc.).

  • Term: Defect Report

    Definition:

    A formal document detailing a defect, including its severity, priority, steps to reproduce, and other relevant information.