Let's get real—most bug reports suck. They’re either too vague, too verbose, or just plain useless. If you're tired of your issues languishing in the backlog forever, or worse, being ignored, it's time to step up your game. Writing a good bug report is an art form, and today, we're going to break down exactly how to master it.
Summary: The Elevator Pitch of Bugs
Your bug summary is the first and best chance to make your issue stand out. Remember, during backlog grooming, readers often only see the title and a few characters of the description. If you want your issue to break out from the pile, the summary must be compelling. Make it impactful and concise.
Good: "Cancelling a File Copy dialog crashes File Manager"
Bad: "Software crashes"
Ugly: "Browser should work with my website"
Reproduction Steps: The Devil’s in the Details
Repro steps are the bread and butter of any bug report. Number the steps clearly from first to last so that anyone—be it a developer, QA engineer, or product manager—can exactly follow them to see the bug for themselves. Start at the most basic point and include details like browser, operating system, device type, and connection type. Atlassian Jira Guide
Example:
- Install and launch APx build 2.8.0.xxx.xxxx with 585 HW
- Change input and output connectors to HDMI
- Ensure/set sample rate to 48k
- Connect an external loopback cable
- Add a Stepped Frequency Sweep
- Set ‘Stop Frequency’ to 24k
- Start the sweep
Actual Behavior: Show, Don’t Tell
This is where you spill the beans. Describe in excruciating detail what happened when you followed the repro steps. What did you see? What error popped up? Leave nothing to the imagination. Include console logs, screenshots, and network requests if applicable. Joel on Software
Example: "You receive an error message indicating that 24k is too large of a ‘Stop Frequency’."
Expected Behavior: Set the Bar
What should have happened? This is your chance to set expectations. Paint a picture of the ideal outcome.
Example: "You would be able to set the ‘Stop Frequency’ to ½ of 48k or 24k."
Tested With:
Providing the exact environment details ensures that the issue can be reproduced accurately. Include information about:
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Browser: Chrome 109.0.5414.122
- Device: MacBook Pro 2017, 2.3GHz i5, Mojave
- Screen size, Zoom level, Pixel ratio
Additional Info: The Cherry on Top
Sometimes, extra context is needed. Notes and additional information can help paint a fuller picture without cluttering the main narrative. Use this section to include things like exception details, environment information (OS, browser, device), or rare occurrences. Software Testing Help
Example Notes:
- "Seen on all machines in the lab."
- "Does not always occur; happens 1 out of 3 attempts."
The Bug Template: Your Secret Weapon
Having a consistent format for your bug reports ensures nothing gets left out. Here’s a template to get you started:
Bug Template:
Summary:
Reproduction Steps:
Actual Behavior:
Expected Behavior:
Tested With:
- Operating System:
- Browser:
- Device:
- Screen size, Zoom level, Pixel ratio:
Additional Info:
Conclusion
Stop writing crappy bug reports. They waste your time, your team’s time, and ultimately lead to shoddy products. A good bug report is reproducible, detailed, and to the point. Want your issues to stop languishing in the backlog forever? Want your product manager to understand the full impact of an issue? Want to stop wasting time trying to figure out what a customer did? Start writing killer bug reports today.
Final Thoughts
Writing a good bug report is an art that requires precision and clarity. What's the worst bug report you've ever seen? Share your horror stories in the comments!
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