What is the Defect Management process?

The Defect Management process is a systematic approach used in software quality assurance to identify, track, prioritize, and resolve defects or issues found during the software development lifecycle. It involves the following steps:

1. Defect Identification: Defects are identified through various means such as testing, code reviews, customer feedback, or user reports.

2. Defect Logging: Once a defect is identified, it is logged into a defect tracking system or tool. The defect is assigned a unique identifier and relevant details such as description, severity, priority, and steps to reproduce.

3. Defect Prioritization: Defects are prioritized based on their impact on the software functionality, business requirements, and customer needs. High-priority defects that affect critical functionalities are given immediate attention.

4. Defect Assignment: The logged defects are assigned to the respective development or testing team members responsible for fixing them. Clear ownership and accountability are established.

5. Defect Resolution: The assigned team members analyze the defect, reproduce it if necessary, and then fix it by modifying the code or making necessary changes. The fixed defect is then retested to ensure it has been resolved successfully.

6. Defect Verification: After the defect is fixed, it undergoes verification testing to ensure that the fix has resolved the issue and has not introduced any new defects.

7. Defect Closure: Once the defect is verified and confirmed as resolved, it is marked as closed in the defect tracking system. The closure includes updating the status, resolution details, and any additional comments.

8. Defect Analysis and Reporting: Throughout the defect management process, data is collected and analyzed to identify patterns, trends, and root causes of defects. This analysis helps in improving the overall software development process and preventing similar defects in the future.

Overall, the Defect Management process ensures that defects are effectively tracked, resolved, and prevented, leading to improved software quality and customer satisfaction.