Defect Triage Process: Optimizing Defect Management Workflow

Software pieces have become common use, to the point where Google Play saw more than 41 million app launches in 2024. That said, for these apps to be successful, they must go through an extensive development process. Defect triage is one of the most important parts of development. That’s because it keeps teams from wasting time on apps that don’t need urgent fixing. 

Considering that your average app can have hundreds of bugs just waiting to be fixed, you can’t just jump on the first one you see. For instance, some affect only the looks, whereas others are critical for proper functioning. You’ll need a structured system that lets you resolve major issues quickly, so the app doesn’t crash at critical development moments.  

Why Is Defect Triage Necessary?

The defect triage process has a major role in improving the defect management workflow. You can expect the following benefits by using a software testing company to implement a triage system:

1. It Prioritizes Defect List

Not all issues during testing are leveled the same. Defect triaging allows you to prioritize them based on impact, severity, and urgency. This reduces the chances of delays and random crashes during production while keeping Beta releases working. The teams can then focus on what’s more important once you prioritize the defect list.

2. It Improves Communication

Defects have a way of showing up when you least expect them, and not everyone may be aware of how important they are. By holding defect triages, you make sure that everyone knows what’s happening. This includes the development, testers, and QA teams. Triage ensures that every fix is done transparently and there’s no miscommunication. Otherwise, different teams might try to fix something that doesn’t need fixing, potentially disrupting the workflow. 

3. It Optimizes Resource Allocation

Time is money, especially when you have a deadline looming over you. By optimizing the defect triage process, you ensure that the right developers are given the job to fix the issue. Some application testing services, such as Kualitee, use AI to optimize resources, validating the bugs before they need fixing. This keeps unnecessary work to a minimum because no one will be confused about what has to be done.

4. It Improves Quality Assurance

By creating an order between defects based on their priority, defect triage processes also improve quality assurance. Solving critical defects means there should be fewer bugs later on in the code. These problems happen more often than you may think, especially when you work on a bugged section that you assume is right. In the end, customers receive assurance that the product works with as few interruptions as possible, minimizing post-release bugs.

5. It Saves Costs in the Long Run

Fixing a bug in the early stages is less expensive than solving it later on in production. A defect may not seem like such a big deal today, but if the production goes according to plan, that issue may become very expensive to fix. Application testing services can use AI-driven algorithms to determine the probability of that happening, sparing you the last-minute fixes. This makes the workflow smooth and keeps more money in the capital for potential improvements.

6. It Reduces the Likelihood of Risks

Defects that were not managed on time don’t just affect the functionality of the product. They can also lead to security vulnerabilities that put both the brand and the user at risk. Cybercrime is expected to rise even more in the next few years, so it’s important to know where your priorities are. Developers make sure their products are compliant with industry regulations when using a well-set defect triage process.

Tips for Effective Defect Triage

Effective defect triage can take quality assurance a long step, especially when you have a solid plan. Here are some tips to optimize the workflow.

• Define the Priority Guidelines

Consistency is key when setting up a triage process, so you will have to define some criteria. The load testing services will use that data to categorize the defects based on priority and functionality. 

For instance, low or medium issues are non-disruptive and can be addressed later on. High-level bugs can affect the functionality of the app but can still be worked around. At the top of the chain are critical bugs that lead to system failure, and those have to be addressed right away. 

• Get a Software Testing Company to Automate Things

You know what bugs to look into during defect triage at this point but doing it manually can take a lot of time. Around 85% of the large companies invested in automation over the past couple of months. Resisting doing so could cause your brand to fall behind. 

Without automation, your team will be stuck dealing with repetitive yet time-consuming tasks, having no time for the issues that matter. Consider employing test automation services that use artificial intelligence (AI) to classify bugs.

• Set a Structured Triage Schedule

For maximum efficiency, triages should follow a regular, well-structured schedule. The first triage should take place at the beginning of the project, where you create a broad plan. Afterward, do a triage after each update in development. Do one more before the release to make sure you catch any inconsistencies missed during the development. 

• Use a Central Repository

One more important measure for maximizing the defect triage process is to create a central repository. You can get the help of a test automation company to store all of your defects in one place. This makes it easier to access the data you need at all times while ensuring cross-functionality for remote team members. 

Plus, with everything synched to the central repository, it’s easier to keep track of metrics. You can then use them for your defect management system.

• Use Metrics for Triage Improvement

The defect triage that you set at the beginning is not always the one that works best for your project. Load testing services record data on bug resolutions, so use those analytics to improve your strategy. 

Look at things such as defect resolution time, and leakage rate, or reopen that. If bugs tend to stay unsolved for a long time or they take too long to fix once started, you might want to consider updating the triage process.

• Balance High and Low Impact Defects

Last but not least, for effective defect triage, you have to learn how to strike a balance between bugs. Know which one has to be fixed immediately and which one can be deferred. The low-impact ones can be addressed later or even rejected if they aren’t valid defects. 

On the other hand, the high-impact ones could prevent the piece of software from working as intended. Put together a well-structured approach to how to balance these so that you can avoid any unnecessary delays. 

Optimize Your Triage Process Today!

Optimizing the defect triage process can improve software quality and ensure few (or no) bugs leak into production. By creating a structured process, development teams can accelerate production and keep turnaround at a minimum. A reliable software testing company such as Kualitatem can help you create a sound defect triage process. At the same time, make sure you know where your priorities are!