Bug reporting is an inevitable, yet crucial part of the mobile app development process.
Anyone who has been through it knows, it can be as tedious as it is important.
The costs of software bugs and outages can be enormous, especially for businesses relying heavily on their mobile apps. According to research from Gartner, the average cost of IT downtime is a whopping $5,600 per minute.
For major companies like Facebook and Amazon, outage costs can soar into the millions of dollars per hour.
But even small businesses face costs of $427 per minute of downtime according to Carbonite.
With stakes this high, it’s critical for mobile developers to have robust systems in place for tracking, reporting, and fixing app bugs quickly.
In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven tips to help your team pinpoint mobile app issues faster.
By implementing bug-tracking best practices, you can drastically cut the costs and risks associated with bugs slipping through the cracks.
Read on to learn how to make your mobile app more resilient through faster bug reporting.
What is the Goal of a Bug Report?
When it comes to bug reporting, having a clear and defined goal is paramount. It might seem straightforward, but understanding the end objective of your report can significantly enhance the efficiency of the entire process.
Clear Communication
The primary goal of any bug report is to communicate an issue as clearly and concisely as possible. Developers and testers need to be on the same page, and a well-articulated report can bridge any potential communication gaps, ensuring that the issue is understood and can be replicated by the development team.
Quick Resolution
Time is of the essence in the fast-paced world of mobile app development. A detailed and precise bug report can significantly reduce the time it takes for developers to diagnose and fix the issue, leading to faster updates and improvements.
Enhanced User Experience
Ultimately, the end goal of reporting bugs is to enhance the user experience. Identifying and fixing bugs leads to a smoother, more reliable app, which in turn leads to happier users and potentially higher ratings in app stores.
Knowledge Sharing
Bug reports also serve as a valuable resource for knowledge sharing. Documenting issues and their resolutions creates a knowledge base that can be referred to in the future, helping to prevent the recurrence of similar issues.
Now that we have established the fundamental goals of a bug report, it’s time to dive into the practical aspects of this process.
A well-structured bug report not only aligns with the goals mentioned above but also streamlines the resolution process, saving valuable time for both developers and testers.
In the following section, we will explore 7 actionable tips that you can implement right away to report mobile app bugs faster and more efficiently.
These tips are designed to enhance clarity, improve communication, and ultimately contribute to a quicker resolution of issues, ensuring a robust and user-friendly app.
So, let’s get started and transform your bug-reporting process!
1. Clear and Concise Reporting
If you had aspirations of becoming a playwright when you were growing up, a bug report is not the place to show off your writing chops. Think of who you are reporting to: Developers are usually busy and want to get to the point quickly. Make your document skimmable, and easy to read. Avoid any ambiguity and keep your opinions or ideas to yourself.
- Objective: Create a bug report that is to the point, clear, and concise, ensuring that the developer can quickly understand the issue.
- Essentials: Include essential information such as reproduction steps, expected results, and actual results.
- Attachments: Attach relevant screenshots, videos, and logs, but prioritize the essential information.
2. In-depth investigation and Reproducibility
It will be expected from people down the pipeline that the report you are presenting them is properly researched and the bug can be reproduced. If you are claiming a bug, make sure you have enough data to support your initial detection, and also make sure that you have been able to reproduce the issue at least a few times. Do give indications about how to reproduce it.
- Reproduction: Ensure that the bug can be consistently reproduced, providing a clear set of steps and conditions under which the bug occurs.
- Duplicate Checks: If possible, check for existing reports of the same issue to avoid duplicates.
3. Accurate and Factual Reporting
We all have our own biases and it’s important to leave them out of any reports. Your software issue report should always be factual, this means backed by objective data that any other person can experience. Avoid intuitions, opinions, and making any conjectures. Leave that to the people dealing with the bug.
- Accuracy: Provide accurate and factual information, avoiding speculation and intuition.
- Severity and Priority: Assign the correct severity and priority levels and communicate with developers if there’s any uncertainty.
4. Effective Communication and Collaboration
If you only talk to your developers in bug reports, let me tell you something is wrong with your workflow. A bug report is a formality and an important, objective document but only a step towards the resolution of a problem. It’s not only perfectly fine to communicate openly with the rest of the team, but a necessity when issues are not that straightforward.
- Open Communication: Maintain open and effective communication with developers, being responsive to their inquiries and proactive in seeking clarification when needed.
- Collaboration: Work collaboratively with developers to resolve issues efficiently.
5. Utilize In-App Bug Reporting Tools
And if the app doesn’t have any reporting tool built-in, simple alternatives such as BugSmash will help you save tons of time with your reports. BugSmash lets you annotate and take screenshots of any app directly from your mobile, that you can later share with your team.
- User Experience: Use in-app bug reporting tools to streamline the process and collect user feedback without disrupting their experience.
- Ease of Use: Implement user-friendly features like shake-to-send for feedback submission.
6. Comprehensive Information in Bug Reports
Sometimes bugs hide behind the most unthinked of details possible. Perhaps it’s an old software version having an issue with some specific piece of hardware, or weird interactions are happening somewhere else. The best way to avoid any of these things from falling between the cracks is to be as comprehensive as possible with the information you share in your report.
- Comprehensive Details: Ensure that the bug report includes all necessary information for developers to understand, reproduce, and fix the issue.
- Tool Familiarity: Ensure testers are familiar with any bug-reporting tools or SDKs integrated into the app.
7. Focus on One Issue per Report
One thing at the time, please. Even if two bugs are happening concurrently, or back-to-back, it’s advised to report them individually. Sometimes it can be just a coincidence, or other times the first one could be causing the latter one. You never know, but that’s not an excuse to cram and complicate your bug report. Do the extra work of raising different issues on different communications. Let the bug-fixing professionals decide if they are really linked or not.
- Single Issue: Each bug report should focus on a single issue, providing detailed information specific to that issue.
- Organization: This practice aids in better tracking, prioritizing, and resolving bugs.
Elements of an Effective Bug Report
- Title/Bug ID:
Provide a quick description and an ID for easy identification. - Environment:
Specify the environment details where the bug occurs. - Steps to Reproduce:
Clearly number the steps required to see the bug. - Expected Results:
Describe how the software should function in the given scenario. - Actual Results:
Detail what the bug is actually doing and how it deviates from the expected result. - Visual Proof:
Attach screenshots, videos, or log files as necessary. - Severity/Priority:
Assign a level of severity and priority to the bug.
How to Write an Effective Bug Report?
When you encounter a bug in a mobile app, writing an effective bug report is crucial for developers to understand and fix the issue promptly. A well-structured bug report not only saves time but also ensures that the issue gets resolved. Here’s a guide on how to write a bug report that is clear, concise, and actionable.
1. Title: Be Clear and Concise
Ensure that the title of your bug report is clear and directly to the point. A developer should be able to understand the nature of the bug just from reading the title.
- Bad Example: “The app crashes”
- Good Example: “App crashes when attempting to open a PDF in the document viewer”
2. Environment Details: Be Specific
Include specific details about the environment in which the bug occurred. This includes the mobile device, operating system version, app version, and any other relevant information.
3. Steps to Reproduce: Be Precise
List the steps needed to reproduce the bug in a clear and precise manner. Number each step and provide any necessary context.
- Open the app: Ensure that you are logged in.
- Navigate to the document viewer: Use the bottom navigation bar.
- Attempt to open a PDF document: Choose a document from the list.
4. Expected vs. Actual Results: Be Descriptive
Clearly describe what you expected to happen versus what actually happened. Be as detailed as possible.
- Expected Result: The PDF document should open and be visible on the screen.
- Actual Result: The app crashes and returns to the home screen.
5. Attach Screenshots or Videos: Show, Don’t Tell
An image is worth more than 1000 lines of code. If possible, attach screenshots or videos of the bug. This provides a visual representation of the issue, which can be incredibly helpful for the developers. Tools like BugSmash make this process incredibly easy. You simply navigate through the app and tap anywhere you want to report an issue to generate a screen capture with an annotation. Then, you can easily share the commented screenshots with your team to work on a fix.
6. Logs and Console Output: Provide Additional Context
If you have access to them, include any relevant logs or console output. This can provide valuable context and information that might not be apparent from the user interface.
Error log: Unhandled Exception: Type ‘null’ is not a subtype of type ‘String’ in type cast
7. Set the Priority and Severity: Help Prioritize the Fix
Help the development team prioritize the bug fix by setting the priority and severity of the issue. Be reasonable and consider how the bug affects other users.
- Priority: High, Medium, Low
- Severity: Critical, Major, Minor, Trivial
By following these steps and providing a detailed, clear, and concise bug report, you significantly increase the chances of the bug being quickly understood and resolved by the development team. Remember, effective communication is key in the bug-reporting process.
Benefits of a Good Bug Report
Writing a good bug report is a skill that can greatly influence the efficiency and effectiveness of the software development process.
A well-documented bug report not only helps in fixing the current issue but also contributes to the overall quality of the application.
Below are some of the key benefits of investing time in writing a good bug report:
1. Quicker Resolution Time
Well-written bug reports allow developers to quickly understand the issue without needing additional information or clarification.
- Clear Steps: Developers can reproduce the bug easily.
- Environment Details: Developers know exactly where the issue is occurring.
2. Improved Communication
A good bug report fosters better communication between testers, developers, and other stakeholders.
- Common Understanding: Everyone is on the same page about what the issue is.
- Less Back-and-Forth: Reduced need for clarification emails and meetings.
3. Enhanced Product Quality
Identifying and fixing bugs leads to a more stable and reliable application.
- User Experience: Directly improves the end-user experience.
- Prevent Future Bugs: Helps in identifying and fixing potential future issues.
4. Efficient Use of Resources
Resources are better utilized as developers spend less time figuring out the issue and more time fixing it.
- Developer Time: Reduces the time developers spend on understanding the bug.
- Testing Cycle: Speeds up the testing cycle, leading to quicker releases.
5. Building a Knowledge Base
A collection of well-written bug reports can serve as a knowledge base for future reference.
- Training Material: New team members can learn from past issues.
- Historical Data: Useful for understanding past issues and solutions.
6. Accountability and Tracking
It’s easier to track the progress of bug fixes and hold individuals accountable for their resolution.
- Progress Tracking: Status of the bug fix is clear and transparent.
- Responsibility: Clear accountability for fixing the issue.
7. User Satisfaction
Ultimately, fixing bugs promptly and efficiently leads to higher user satisfaction.
- Trust: Users trust that issues will be resolved quickly.
- Positive Reviews: Leads to better app reviews and ratings.
By investing in writing good bug reports, you not only help in the quick resolution of issues but also contribute to the overall success and reliability of the application.
The benefits are numerous and impact various aspects of the development cycle, leading to a healthier, more productive work environment and a better end product for users.
BugSmash makes it so simple
In the fast-paced world of mobile app development, efficiency is key, and BugSmash is here to streamline the bug-reporting process like never before. Imagine a tool that not only simplifies the feedback-sharing process but also keeps everything organized and easily accessible. That’s BugSmash for you!
1. Effortless and Rapid Feedback Sharing
With BugSmash, providing feedback is as simple as opening the app and starting to annotate. You can navigate through the app you’re testing, take screenshots on the go, and add your notes right there. It’s designed to be intuitive, ensuring that you spend more time identifying issues and less on figuring out how to report them. Why not give it a try and see how it speeds up your bug-reporting process?
2. Streamlined Communication
Say goodbye to the endless scrolling through chat tools to track feedback, completed tasks, and pending issues. BugSmash keeps everything in one place, providing a clear and concise overview of all reported issues. This not only saves time but also ensures that nothing slips through the cracks. Experience the clarity and organization that BugSmash brings to your project by starting with our free plan today.
3. Empowering Developers
Developers love BugSmash because it provides them with contextually annotated feedback, all consolidated in one location. This means they can quickly understand the issues at hand, without having to go back and forth with the testing team for clarification. The result? Faster issue resolution and happier developers.
4. Boosting Efficiency and Turnaround Time
Overall, BugSmash significantly improves the efficiency of the bug reporting and resolution process. With all the necessary information readily available and easily accessible, the time taken to report and fix an issue is drastically reduced. Ready to enhance your team’s productivity?
Sources:
According to the Consortium for IT Software Quality research, a relatively modest program with 20,000 lines of code would contain around 200 major coding mistakes. Even if just a tiny percentage, say 10%, of these problems are problematic.
For every 1,000 lines of code, software engineers are thought to produce between 100 and 150 mistakes.
https://www.ibm.com/topics/bug-tracking
In March 2015, a 12-hour Apple store outage cost the company $25 million.
https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/app-store-downtime-cost-apple-25m-in-sales
In August 2016, a five-hour power outage in an operation center caused 2,000 cancelled flights and an estimated loss of $150 million for Delta Airlines.
https://money.cnn.com/2016/09/07/technology/delta-computer-outage-cost
In March 2019, a 14-hour outage cost facebook an estimated $90 million.
https://www.ccn.com/facebooks-blackout-90-million-lost-revenue
The average cost of downtime is $5,600 per minute, according to a 2014 study by Gartner. The research firm is quick to point out, however, that this is just an average. An Avaya report the same year found that averages ranged from $2,300 to $9,000 per minute depending on factors like company size and industry vertical. And since 2014, that figure has been rising. A more recent report (from Ponemon Institute in 2016) raises Gartner’s average from $5,600 per minute to nearly $9,000 per minute.
https://blogs.gartner.com/andrew-lerner/2014/07/16/the-cost-of-downtime
The industries with the highest risk include banking/finance, government, healthcare, manufacturing, media and communications, retail, and transportation/utilities. One 2016 study found that the average cost for downtime in these industries was upward of $5 million per hour.
For eCommerce giant Amazon, whose entire business model relies on uptime, estimated costs are around $13.22 million per hour. Facebook—whose revenue depends on ad impressions—is likewise looking at figures well into the millions.
https://www.gremlin.com/blog/the-cost-of-downtime
For small business, use $427 as cost-per-minute.
https://www.carbonite.com/blog/article/2015/10/downtime-costs-small-businesses-up-to-$427-per-minute
A survey by PwC found that 55% of respondents won’t buy from a company with whom they had a bad experience, and 8% of those claimed they would stop after a single bad experience.