Defect/Bug Life Cycle in Software Testing

The Defect Life Cycle, also known as the Bug Life Cycle, refers to the predefined sequence of states that a defect or bug goes through from the moment it’s identified until it’s resolved and verified. This cycle is established to facilitate effective communication and coordination among team members regarding the status of the defect. It also ensures a systematic and efficient process for resolving defects.

Defect Status

Defect Status, also known as Bug Status, refers to the current state or stage that a defect or bug is in within the defect life cycle. It serves the purpose of accurately communicating the present condition or progress of a defect or bug, enabling a clearer tracking and comprehension of its journey through the defect life cycle. This information is crucial for effectively managing and prioritizing defect resolution efforts.

Defect States Workflow

The Defect States Workflow is a visual representation of the various stages or states that a defect goes through in its life cycle, from the moment it’s identified to when it’s resolved and closed. This workflow helps team members and stakeholders to understand and track the progress of defect resolution.

This workflow provides a clear and standardized process for managing defects, ensuring that they are properly addressed and resolved before the software is released. It also helps in tracking the status of defects at any given point in time.

It typically includes the following states:

• New/Open:

This is the initial state where the defect is identified and reported.

• Assigned:

The defect is assigned to a developer or a responsible team member for further investigation and resolution.

• In Progress/Fixed:

The developer is actively working on fixing the defect.

• Ready for Testing:

Once the developer believes the defect is fixed, it is marked as ready for testing.

• In Testing:

The testing team verifies the fix to ensure it has resolved the issue.

• Reopened:

If the testing team finds the defect is not completely fixed, it is reopened and sent back to the developer.

• Verified/Closed:

The defect is confirmed to be fixed and closed.

• Deferred:

In some cases, a decision may be made to defer fixing the defect to a later release or version.

• Duplicate:

If the same defect has been reported more than once, it may be marked as a duplicate.

• Not Reproducible:

If the testing team cannot reproduce the defect, it may be marked as not reproducible.

• Cannot Fix:

In rare cases, it may be determined that the defect cannot be fixed due to technical constraints or other reasons.

• Pending Review:

The defect may be put on hold pending review or discussion by the team.

• Rejected:

If the defect is found to be invalid or not a real issue, it may be rejected.

Defect/Bug Life Cycle Explain

The Defect Life Cycle, also known as the Bug Life Cycle, is a set of defined states or stages that a defect or bug goes through from the moment it is identified until it is resolved and closed. This process helps teams manage and track the progress of defect resolution efficiently. Here is an explanation of the various stages in the Defect Life Cycle:

1. New/Open:

In this initial stage, the defect is identified and reported by a tester or team member. It is labeled as “New” or “Open” and is ready for further evaluation.

2. Assigned:

The defect is assigned to a developer or a responsible team member for further investigation and resolution. The assignee takes ownership of the defect.

3. In Progress/Fixed:

The developer begins working on fixing the defect. The status is changed to “In Progress” or “Fixed” to indicate that active development work is underway.

4. Ready for Testing:

Once the developer believes that the defect has been fixed, it is marked as “Ready for Testing.” This signifies that the fix is ready to be verified by the testing team.

5. In Testing:

The testing team receives the defect and verifies the fix. They conduct tests to ensure that the defect has been properly addressed and that no new issues have been introduced.

6. Reopened:

If the testing team finds that the defect is not completely fixed, or if they encounter new issues, they may reopen the defect. It is then sent back to the developer for further attention.

7. Verified/Closed:

If the testing team confirms that the defect has been successfully fixed and no new issues have been introduced, it is marked as “Verified” or “Closed.” The defect is considered resolved.

8. Deferred:

In some cases, a decision may be made to defer fixing the defect to a later release or version. This status indicates that the defect resolution has been postponed.

9. Duplicate:

If it is discovered that the same defect has been reported more than once, it may be marked as a duplicate. One instance is kept open, while the others are closed as duplicates.

• Not Reproducible:

If the testing team is unable to reproduce the defect, they may mark it as “Not Reproducible.” This suggests that the reported issue may not be a genuine defect.

• Cannot Fix:

In rare cases, it may be determined that the defect cannot be fixed due to technical constraints or other reasons. It is marked as “Cannot Fix.”

• Pending Review:

The defect may be put on hold pending review or discussion by the team. This status indicates that further evaluation or decision-making is needed.

• Rejected:

If the defect is found to be invalid or not a genuine issue, it may be rejected. This status indicates that the reported issue does not require further attention.

The Defect Life Cycle helps teams maintain a structured approach to handling and resolving defects, ensuring that they are properly addressed before the software is released to end-users.

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