LIFE CYCLE of a Software Bug / Defect
Software Bug / Defect Life Cycle is the journey of a bug from its identification to its closure. The Life Cycle varies from organization to organization and is governed by the software testing process the organization / project follows and/or the Bug / Defect tracking tool being used.
Nevertheless, the life cycle in general resembles the following:
| Status | Alternative Status |
| NEW | |
| ASSIGNED | OPEN |
| DEFERRED | |
| DROPPED | REJECTED |
| COMPLETED | FIXED, RESOLVED, TEST |
| REASSIGNED | REOPENED |
| CLOSED | VERIFIED |
Bug Status Explanation
NEW: Tester finds a ‘bug’ and posts it with the status NEW. This bug is yet to be studied/approved. The fate of a NEW bug is one of ASSIGNED, DROPPED and DEFERRED.
ASSIGNED / OPEN: Test / Development / Project lead studies the NEW bug and if it is found to be valid it is assigned to a member of the Development Team. The assigned Developer's responsibility is now to fix the bug and have it COMPLETED.
Sometimes, ASSIGNED and OPEN can be different statuses. In that case, a bug can be open yet unassigned.
DEFERRED: If a valid NEW or ASSIGNED bug is decided to be fixed in upcoming releases instead of the current release it is DEFERRED. This bug is ASSIGNED when the time comes.
DROPPED / REJECTED: Test / Development/ Project lead studies the NEW bug and if it is found to be invalid, it is DROPPED / REJECTED. Note that the specific reason for this action needs to be given.
COMPLETED / FIXED / RESOLVED / TEST: Developer ‘fixes’ the bug that is ASSIGNED to him or her. Now, the ‘fixed’ bug needs to be verified by the Test Team and the Development Team ‘assigns’ the bug back to the Test Team. A COMPLETED bug is either CLOSED, if fine, or REASSIGNED, if still not fine.
If a Developer cannot fix a bug, some organizations may offer the following statuses:
Won’t Fix / Can’t Fix: The Developer will not or cannot fix the bug due to some reason.
Can’t Reproduce: The Developer is unable to reproduce the bug.
Need More Information: The Developer needs more information on the bug from the Tester.
REASSIGNED / REOPENED: If the Tester finds that the ‘fixed’ bug is in fact not fixed or only partially fixed, it is reassigned to the Developer who ‘fixed’ it. A REASSIGNED bug needs to be COMPLETED again.
CLOSED / VERIFIED: If the Tester / Test Lead finds that the bug is indeed fixed and is no more of any concern, it is CLOSED / VERIFIED. This is the happy ending.
Bug Life Cycle Implementation Guidelines
- Make sure the entire team understands what each bug status exactly means. Also, make sure the bug life cycle is documented.
- Ensure that each individual clearly understands his/her responsibility as regards each bug.
- Ensure that enough detail is entered in each status change. For example, do not simply DROP a bug but provide a reason for doing so.
- If a bug tracking tool is being used, avoid entertaining any ‘bug related requests’ without an appropriate change in the status of the bug in the tool. Do not let anybody take shortcuts. Or else, you will never be able to get up-to-date bug metrics for analysis.
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