What is the defect life cycle?
Theme: Defect Management Role: Qa Engineer/Test Engineer Function: Technology
Interview Question for QA Engineer/Test Engineer: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About QA Engineer/Test Engineer: Ensure software quality through testing and quality assurance. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Defect Management with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Definition: The defect life cycle refers to the stages that a defect goes through from identification to resolution
- Stages: 1. Defect identification: Defects are identified through various means such as testing, user feedback, or code reviews. 2. Defect logging: Once a defect is identified, it is logged into a defect tracking system with relevant details like severity, priority, and steps to reproduce. 3. Defect triage: The logged defects are reviewed and prioritized based on their impact and severity. 4. Defect assignment: Defects are assigned to the appropriate team members for analysis and resolution. 5. Defect analysis: The assigned team members analyze the defect to understand its root cause and potential impact on the system. 6. Defect fixing: The defect is fixed by the development team, and the fix is verified by the QA team. 7. Defect retesting: After the fix, the QA team retests the defect to ensure it has been resolved. 8. Defect closure: Once the defect is verified as fixed and retested successfully, it is closed
- Communication: Throughout the defect life cycle, effective communication is crucial. This includes clear defect descriptions, regular updates on the status of defects, and collaboration between the QA and development teams
- Metrics & Reporting: Defect life cycle metrics can be tracked to measure the efficiency of the defect management process. This includes metrics like defect density, defect aging, and defect closure rate. Regular defect status reports are also generated to provide stakeholders with visibility into the defect resolution progress
- Continuous Improvement: The defect life cycle is an iterative process, and continuous improvement is essential. Lessons learned from previous defects are used to enhance testing processes, identify preventive measures, and improve overall product quality
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Knowledge of QA processes: Assessing understanding of defect management process and its stages
- Experience in defect tracking: Evaluating familiarity with defect life cycle and its practical implementation
- Problem-solving skills: Determining ability to identify, analyze, and resolve defects effectively
- Attention to detail: Assessing the importance placed on documenting and tracking defects throughout their life cycle
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of understanding: Providing a vague or incorrect definition of the defect life cycle
- Inability to explain stages: Not being able to describe the different stages of the defect life cycle
- Missing key stages: Omitting important stages such as defect identification, triage, or closure
- Limited knowledge of tools: Not mentioning any defect tracking or management tools used during the defect life cycle
- Lack of experience: Unable to provide real-life examples or experiences related to the defect life cycle
- Poor communication skills: Struggling to articulate the defect life cycle clearly or coherently