Bug Triage
Bug triage is a review and decision-making process where reported defects are evaluated, prioritized, and assigned to ensure efficient resolution.
Bug triage answers: “Which bugs should we fix first, and who will fix them?”
1. Definition
Bug triage is a review and decision-making process where reported defects are evaluated, prioritized, and assigned to ensure efficient resolution.
Bug triage answers: “Which bugs should we fix first, and who will fix them?”
2. Purpose of Bug Triage
- Prioritize defects based on business impact
- Decide fix vs defer vs reject
- Assign ownership and timelines
- Balance quality with release constraints
3. Who Participates in Bug Triage
- Test Lead / QA Lead
- Developers / Tech Lead
- Product Owner / Business Representative
- Project Manager (optional)
4. When Bug Triage Happens
- Daily (active sprints)
- Per build or test cycle
- Before release milestones
5. Key Activities in Bug Triage
- Review defect description and evidence
- Validate reproducibility
- Confirm severity and priority
- Decide defect status:
- Fix now
- Defer
- Reject
- Duplicate
- Assign to developer
- Set target fix timeline
6. Inputs for Bug Triage
- Defect reports
- Severity and priority
- Reproducibility status
- Business impact
- Release timelines
7. Possible Triage Decisions
| Decision | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fix Now | Must be resolved before release |
| Defer | Fix in future release |
| Reject | Not a valid defect |
| Duplicate | Already reported |
| Won’t Fix | Low value or high risk to fix |
8. Manual Tester’s Role in Bug Triage
- Clearly explain defect impact
- Justify severity with evidence
- Demonstrate reproducibility
- Accept business decisions professionally
- Update defect status post-triage
9. Real-Time Example
- Critical payment bug → Fix Now
- Minor UI issue late in cycle → Defer
- Expected behavior misunderstanding → Reject
10. Common Mistakes
- Poor defect descriptions leading to rejection
- Emotional arguments instead of evidence
- Skipping triage under time pressure
- Changing priorities without alignment
11. Interview-Ready Answers
Short answer:
Bug triage is the process of reviewing, prioritizing, and assigning defects to decide the order and responsibility of fixes.
Detailed answer:
Bug triage ensures that defects are evaluated based on impact and urgency so teams can focus on fixing the most critical issues within release constraints.
12. Key Takeaway
Bug triage ensures the right bugs are fixed at the right time by the right people.