Defect Life Cycle
The Defect Life Cycle (also called Bug Life Cycle) describes the various states a defect passes through from identification to closure, defining how defects are tracked, managed, and resolved.
Defect life cycle answers: “What happens to a defect after it is reported?”
1. Definition
The Defect Life Cycle (also called Bug Life Cycle) describes the various states a defect passes through from identification to closure, defining how defects are tracked, managed, and resolved.
Defect life cycle answers: “What happens to a defect after it is reported?”
2. Purpose of Defect Life Cycle
- Provide structured defect management
- Track defect status clearly
- Ensure accountability and transparency
- Prevent defects from being missed or forgotten
3. Standard Defect Life Cycle States
3.1 New
- Defect is logged by tester
- Not yet reviewed
3.2 Assigned
- Defect assigned to a developer or team
3.3 Open
- Developer accepts the defect
- Fixing activity starts
3.4 Fixed
- Developer fixes the defect
- Code changes completed
3.5 Re-Test
- Tester re-tests the defect in a new build
3.6 Closed
- Tester confirms fix works
- Defect is officially closed
3.7 Reopened
- Defect still exists after fix
- Sent back to developer
4. Additional Defect States (Real Projects)
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rejected | Not a valid defect |
| Duplicate | Same defect already logged |
| Deferred | Fix postponed to future release |
| Not Reproducible | Cannot be reproduced |
| Won’t Fix | Decision taken not to fix |
5. Defect Life Cycle Flow (Conceptual)
New → Assigned → Open → Fixed → Re-Test → Closed
↓
Reopened
6. Manual Tester’s Responsibilities
- Log defects with accurate details
- Assign correct severity and priority
- Re-test fixed defects
- Close or reopen defects appropriately
- Communicate defect status clearly
7. Defect Life Cycle vs Test Case Life Cycle
| Aspect | Defect Life Cycle | Test Case Life Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Issue resolution | Validation |
| Ends with | Closure | Pass/Fail |
8. Real-Time Example
- Tester logs login failure → New
- Lead assigns to dev → Assigned
- Dev fixes issue → Fixed
- Tester re-tests → Closed
9. Common Mistakes
- Closing without proper re-testing
- Reopening without evidence
- Incorrectly rejecting valid defects
- Poor communication during transitions
10. Interview-Ready Answers
Short answer:
Defect life cycle describes the stages a defect goes through from identification to closure.
Detailed answer:
The defect life cycle defines the workflow and states a defect passes through, ensuring effective tracking, fixing, and verification.
11. Key Takeaway
A well-managed Defect Life Cycle ensures no defect is lost, ignored, or incorrectly resolved.