Have you ever struggled with writing a good bug report? Do developers often find it hard to find the bugs you identified?
A software bug is any error or failure in software that prevents it from working as intended. Good software needs to be bug-free, as users expect nothing less than perfection in today’s competitive world. Even minor bugs can be a source of frustration that can cause users to stop using software or switch to competitor products.
With effective testing procedures and test case management, tests can run smoothly, and bugs can be tracked and fixed in a timely fashion. However, effective testing also requires good reporting procedures. Reporting bugs correctly helps to get them fixed faster. It is a basic but essential skill that can aid in test case management and improve the quality produced by teams in the long run.
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Here are some tips on how to improve your writing skills and create bug reports that can get your problems fixed instantly.
Bug ID, Description, and Title:
A feature of good test case management is to organize all workflows properly. Any bug identified should be given an exclusive ID specific to that bug. This ID is a unique mixture of letters and numbers that helps developers and testers find it easily. and categorize bugs from different projects.
The bug report should have a specific and clear title. For example, saying “I experienced a problem in…” is not a good title. The word ‘problem’ is too generic and does not give the developer any valuable information. Similar vague and ambiguous terms such as “broken,” “not working,” etc., should be avoided. The title needs to be concise but also provide a clear idea of what the issue is. A good example of a title would be ‘The URL www.example.com leads to 404 error on Google Chrome”
Usually, the title is sufficient to describe the problem. But further description, commentary, or information may be added if required. The source URL of the problem should be added so developers can access it easily. Labels, tags, or error codes may be provided against the error to categorize them accurately so testers can deal with similar types of errors together.
Steps to Reproduce the Bug
One of the most important aspects of a bug report is providing step-by-step instructions to reproduce the error so developers can encounter the bugs themselves. Once they see for themselves, everything becomes automatically clear as it moves from the realm of the abstract to a real problem. Keep the following tips in mind when writing instructions to reproduce errors.
- Write short, simple steps.
- Number your steps.
- Use one-liners for bugs that are easy to produce and more detailed multi-step processes for complicated scenarios
- Don’t skip any step or assume they are self-evident.
- Test your instructions. Anyone who has not experienced the problem should be able to follow the steps exactly and get to the error.
- Mention the exact data input you used i.e., if it’s a search engine result, you can mention the exact text you searched for.
Environment
Bugs can be specific to environments and do not occur everywhere. Your report should mention the test environment, i.e., did you encounter the bug pre-production, in production, or post-production? Also, note exactly which type of device, platform, operating system, and browser of software/hardware you were using and which version. Accuracy is key. You can test the bug on different environments to see how many places it shows up. Reporters may add other relevant information such as network connection speed, battery health, software language, screen and window size of the device, time of the error, etc., if applicable.
Priority:
It is essential to mention the severity and priority of the bug. How important is it? How frequently does it show up? How much of a negative impact is it causing, and how many customers face a problem because of it? By assigning priorities, you can ensure that developers can resolve the most pressing matters first. Categories, such as Low, Medium, and High, can be created to determine risk. High Priority bugs can be highlighted for visual emphasis.
Expected and Actual Results
Expected and Actual Results provide a contrast of what was supposed to happen vs what actually did happen. In both cases, it is essential to write exact outcomes and avoid ambiguous language. For example, “I expected this to work” is a vague statement. Here is a good example of how to write actual and expected results:
Expected Result: After clicking the save button, the popup should close automatically.
Actual Result: After clicking the save button, the popup is not closing automatically.
By reading this, developers can understand the nature of the problem and fix the bug accordingly.
Repeatability
Before reporting a bug, it is vital to check its repeatability. This means that repeating the same steps should make the bug appear again. In some cases, the software might not work due to an error by the user or in the environment (such as a bad connection) rather than because of a bug. That is why it is essential to test whether the error even exists, i.e., it is a consistent problem. The bug may not be repeatable every time but could only appear sometimes. In this case, you should note the frequency, i.e., how often it appears (every third time, etc.). Remember to be specific rather than using generic terms like “sometimes.”
Visual Evidence
Adding visual proof, such as a screenshot or screen recording, makes it easier for the developers to understand the error. With visual evidence, you can show how the bug is occurring and prove that it is an error, not the tester’s mistake or oversight.
Quick Tips:
- Use either screenshots or video/screen recording depending on the complication of the bug
- Only add pictures/details that add value. Do not put unnecessary or extra information.
- Highlight important areas, annotate, and add comments if necessary.
- Make URL apparent. Make sure not to miss out or crop any critical information.
Additional Information
Testers may provide additional information in a bug report. Mention Reporter Name, i.e., if you are the one reporting the problem, you can name yourself as the point of contact in case anyone needs further explanation. Add a field for Assigned To and deadline, so the responsibility for resolving the bug is clear.
Things to Look Out For
Now you know the basic structure of a good bug report. However, that is not all. Here are some bonus tips for best test case management to effectively deal with bugs.
- Do not to re-report existing bugs, as that can be an unnecessary hassle.
- Provide the exact test data that you used when you encountered the bug.
- Proof-read the report to avoid mistakes
- Be concise and clear. Find a balance between detail and brevity.
- Test in different environments to see if the problem is showing up in more than one place
- Be careful of the language you use. Do not be critical. Do not add opinions. Provide a matter-of-fact, objective report.
- Stay proactive and make sure the the problem gets fixed. Recheck to see if it is working correctly. Keep updated logs of all bugs and their status.
- Find a workaround for urgent problems. For example, a link might not work from one menu, but if you access it from another, it leads to the right page. By providing a workaround, you can use the software until the problem gets fixed and offer a temporary solution to customers.
- Write one report per bug only so each problem can be dealt with and closed separately.
- Don’t delay reporting. Reporting at once prevents you from forgetting important steps.
- Use automated bug reporting tools for your ease.
- Keep it simple!
Following the above procedure can guarantee the production of effective bug reports to fix errors and result in high-quality software quickly.