How to Write a Good Bug Report (Step-by-Step Guide)

Bug reports are essential for ensuring high-quality software and an efficient development process. A well-written bug report saves time, prevents misunderstandings, and helps developers quickly identify and resolve issues. Additionally, detailed bug reports may contribute to maintaining team morale by reducing friction and fostering collaboration.

In this article, you’ll learn about the life cycle of a bug report, what makes a good bug report, and how to write it in 9 simple steps, plus some common challenges in bug reporting. Let’s dive in.

Understanding the life cycle of a bug report

Understanding the bug report’s journey may help to better write bug reports that facilitate each stage. The typical life cycle includes:

1. Discovery: The tester identifies the issue.
2. Logging: The bug is reported with all necessary details.
3. Triaging: The team assigns priority and decides on a resolution.
4. Fixing: Developers address the issue.
5. Verification: QA verifies the fix.
6. Closure: The ticket is closed after successful resolution.

Determine the root cause

Before opening Jira or any other bug reporting platform, investigate the issue thoroughly to determine if it’s a genuine bug. Use exploratory testing if needed. Sometimes, the behavior might result from a setting mismatch, an incorrect configuration, or other external factors (e.g., network issues), etc.

Checking console logs can provide valuable insights if the issue involves requests or raises errors. Internal logging tools like Coralogix, Observe, or similar can also assist in pinpointing root causes.

Verify reproducibility

Once the root cause is identified, test the issue for reproducibility. Verify whether the issue is a one-time occurrence, consistently reproducible, or randomly reproducible. If it appears to occur randomly, consider the possibility of other contributing factors and investigate the root cause further to identify any underlying issues.

For rarely-reproducible and random bugs, record detailed observations and possible triggers. Note timestamps and environmental conditions that may have influenced the behavior.

Search for existing reports

Before creating a new bug report, search the bug-tracking system to see if the issue has already been reported. Leave a comment that the problem is still reproducible with the version so that developers and testers both know that the issue still exists. Repeated bug tickets take away time from QAs and even developers. But in the end, it is better to have two bug tickets than none at all if the first report is not found. 

Writing the bug report

The most exciting part of the newfound issue is writing the bug ticket. If the issue is new, follow these 9 steps to create an effective report:

Step 1: Create a title

The bug report title plays a crucial role in providing a quick overview of the issue, as it sets the tone and context for the content that follows. It should be concise yet informative, offering a clear description of the problem without relying on overly technical language or vague phrasing. This ensures that the reader immediately understands the focus of the discussion and feels encouraged to engage further.

Example: “User login button unresponsive on Safari 14.1.”

Step 2: Write an overview

Provide a detailed description of the issue, including:

• What is happening?
• Why is it a problem?
• Any relevant background context.

Keep the overview clear and to the point, avoiding unnecessary length as it is harder to concentrate on longer text.

Example: “User is unable to log in to the system using a browser - Safari 14.1. The login button is not responsive and users cannot access the system. This issue does not affect admin users.”

Step 3: Write the scenario

Clearly outline the steps to reproduce the issue. Using a numbered list or bullet-pointed statements, include the following:

• Preconditions. Any necessary setup is needed before executing the steps.
• Steps. Actions that lead to the reproduction of the bug.

Ensure this section is thorough but readable. If more than 10 steps are required, consider summarizing repetitive details. If the developer is experienced then the preconditions and steps can be shortened similarly to how a high-level test case is written. Writing good test case guidelines can be used for preconditions and steps. 

Example:

• Precondition: A user with valid credentials is created for the system.
• Steps:
  • As user, input username in the username field.
  • As user, input the password in the password field.
  • As user, click on the login button.

Step 4: Include expected vs. actual results

Highlight the differences between what should happen and what actually happens. Again, be precise and use simple statements. Use one ticket for one actual and expected result. Multiple expected and actual results are allowed only if all issues share the same cause.

Example:

• Expected result: The user is redirected to the dashboard after login.
• Actual result: The page remains on the login screen, displaying no error message.

Step 5. Add visual evidence

Add screenshots, videos, or recordings to support your findings. Include:

• Precondition setup.
• Recording of executed steps with actual results.
• If possible add the visuals of the expected result (not always necessary).
• Console logs with timestamps.
• Relevant files used during testing (if something was uploaded or downloaded etc.).
• A list of environment settings (if possible to retrieve).

Visual evidence makes it easier for developers to understand and replicate the issue.

Step 6: Specify the environment

Specify where the issue occurs, including:

• Application version
• Operating system and version (e.g., Windows 11, macOS Monterey)
• Browser version (for web apps)
• Mobile device details (if relevant)

If possible, test older versions to check for regressions. Not always all versions need to be included. Sometimes browser version or operation system version etc. does not impact a test, so in that instance, these specific versions can be skipped. 

Step 7: Assess  bug priorities

Evaluate and assign a priority based on the bug’s impact:

• Blocker: Prevents further testing or impacts critical functionality.
• High: Significantly affects functionality.
• Medium: Causes inconvenience but has workarounds.
• Low: Minor issues with minimal impact.

And don't forget that typos can also be high-priority issues. 

Step 8: Track the bug(s)

Link the bug report to related epics, stories, or tasks for better traceability. Use appropriate tags or labels, such as:

• Mobile-specific issues (e.g., Android/iOS)
• Features under development
• Regression bugs

Step 9: Add notes

Include any additional relevant information, such as the conditions under which the issue does not occur, particularly if there is a specific path or scenario where the problem is absent. Additionally, provide internal tracking IDs or references that could help identify or track the issue more efficiently. If any potential workarounds are known, make sure to include those as well to assist in addressing the problem.

Note examples:

• Admin can log in, but the user cannot log in without admin permission. 
• User ID: 12
• If the user changes the password, then the user can log in.
• The user was able to log in once at 12:30:33 EEST.

Common challenges in bug reporting

Frequent challenges with bug reports include communication gaps, missing details, and overlooked edge cases. To address communication gaps, it is essential to use clear and precise language, attach evidence, and maintain a respectful tone, as everyone involved aims to resolve the issue. Even if the bug report seems perfect, additional clarification might be required. Missing details can be mitigated by including comprehensive information such as steps to reproduce the issue, the testing environment, and relevant logs. To avoid overlooking edge cases, thorough testing should be conducted to identify unusual scenarios, which should be documented clearly.

The bottom line

Writing a clear and effective bug report is an essential skill for any tester or QA professional, as it plays a significant role in the software development process. A well-written bug report ensures that the issue is communicated accurately, allowing developers and other team members to understand and address the problem quickly. This not only saves time but also streamlines the overall workflow, reducing frustration and minimizing delays.

By focusing on clarity, detail, and precision, testers can make their bug reports a valuable resource for the entire team. With consistent practice and a keen eye for detail, mastering the art of bug reporting becomes a straightforward and highly rewarding aspect of quality assurance.

Struggling with software bugs that hinder your development progress? Reach out to learn how our thorough testing strategies can make your software more stable, efficient, and bug-free.