Reporting a defect found

This article is a further explanation of the main article “How to become a good software tester” I will try to explain each point in a separate article for a better understanding. So lets explain “Creating a comprehensive test plan” in detail below.

Reporting a defect in a clear, concise, and accurate manner is very important for effective software testing. Here are some best practices for reporting defects:

Many organisations use defect tracking tools such as Jira, Bugzilla, or Microsoft TFS to log and track defects. These tools provide a standardised template for reporting defects and make it easy to track the status of the defect.

The defect report should include a clear and detailed description of the problem, including steps to reproduce the defect, the expected behaviour, and the actual behaviour, adding a suggested solution for resolution of the issue is a bonus.

Always try to include screenshots or videos of the defect to provide visual context and make it easier for the development team to understand the problem. You can use snagit , Windows snipping tool and or loom for the purpose.

Include all necessary possible relevant information such as the build number, the version of the software, the operating system, and the hardware used. In case of web applications do mention browsers name and version.

Assign a priority level to the defect so the development team knows how urgent the issue is and can priorities their work accordingly.

It’s important to use a consistent format when reporting defects. This makes it easier for the development team to understand the problem and for other testers to replicate the issue. Many teams use Gherkin for this purpose.

Be as precise as possible when describing the issue, the more specific the better it is for the development team to find the root cause.

Use clear and simple language when describing the issue, avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be understood by the development team. Gherkin is again what most of the teams use for the purpose.

By following these above best practices, you can help ensure that defects are reported in a way that is clear, concise, and accurate and this will certainly help the development team resolve the issue quickly and effectively.