So, how should you add a software bug?
Before anything else, make sure the software bug is valid. Double-check that it’s not just a simple mistake you made and that it hasn’t already been reported. You don’t want to duplicate efforts. To be extra cautious, always check if someone else has already filed the bug.
The structure of your software bug report should be clear and concise, providing all the necessary information for the developer to reproduce and fix the issue. Here’s what to include in a well-written software bug report:
Ticket contents
Title contents
The title of your bug report should follow the “3W rule”: What happens, where it happens, and when it happens. This simple rule helps anyone who reads the report to quickly understand the issue and search for it later if needed.
Description contents
A software bug report isn’t supposed to be a novel. Keep it brief, clear, and to the point. Describe what’s happening without overcomplicating it. If the issue is visual, include screenshots. If a screenshot doesn’t do the job, a short video of the bug in action can help a lot.
Preconditions
In this section, note anything that needs to be set up before reproducing the bug. This includes specific user accounts, server setups, or test environments that need to be configured before you can see the bug occur.
Steps to reproduce
This is the meat of your software bug report. You must list the exact steps someone else would need to follow to see the bug for themselves. For example:
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Log in using user A, B, and C.
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Click on the “Submit” button.
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Observe that the page freezes after clicking.
Actual results
In this section, describe what actually happens when you follow the steps above. If the bug is affecting functionality, make sure to mention how it’s impacting the user experience. Attach a video if possible to make the explanation clearer.
Expected results
This section focuses on what should have happened if the software was working correctly. Go step by step, explaining what should have happened at each point. Be sure to reference the specifications that indicate why this is the expected behavior.
Note
If there are any special considerations about the bug’s reproduction, include them here. For example, if there are certain conditions that need to be met for the bug to appear, make sure they’re mentioned.
Workaround
Sometimes there are ways to work around a software bug while a fix is being implemented. If there’s a workaround available, share it in this section.
Before adding the bug
Before you officially add the bug to your tracking system, make sure to include links to related resources. For example, link to any relevant WiKi pages, acceptance criteria, or requirements that help explain the bug in more detail.
Fields that the JIRA ticket should contain before creating it
When you create a software bug ticket in JIRA, there are certain fields you’ll need to fill out:
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Appropriate affects version (Note: the fix version is no longer required)
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Reporter (usually selected automatically)
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Environment (e.g., the platform being used, like iOS 6.1.6 or Android 4.2)
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Priority/Severity
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Frequency of occurrence
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Attachments of logs (only if the bug isn’t related to the UI)
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Attachment of video (if the bug description is difficult to follow)
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Screenshots (if the bug is hard to describe in text)
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Leave the Sprint field empty
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Link to the Story that this bug is related to (if the story is still open)
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Link to related tickets
Found in build
Lastly, make sure to specify the client and server versions where the bug was found.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, finding a software bug is just the first step. The real challenge lies in reporting it clearly and efficiently. A well-documented bug report helps the development team understand exactly what’s wrong and how to fix it quickly. Remember, the key is to keep everything as simple and concise as possible. The more precise you are in your software bug report, the better the chances that the issue will be resolved quickly and accurately.
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