Filing a bug is easy. Writing a good bug report? That’s a skill—and one that separates a beginner from a professional QA engineer.
A well-written bug report saves time, avoids miscommunication, and builds trust between testers and developers. A vague one creates delays, frustration, and repeat conversations.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What makes a bug report effective
- The structure of a professional bug report
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Real examples that developers appreciate
✅ Why a Good Bug Report Matters
A bug report is more than a complaint—it’s a collaboration tool between QA and developers. A clear, complete report helps devs:
- Reproduce the issue quickly
- Understand the scope and impact
- Fix it efficiently without back-and-forth
🧱 Essential Elements of a Professional Bug Report
Here’s a structure developers respect and rely on:
1. Title / Summary
Write a clear, concise description of the issue.
✅ Good:
“Login fails with valid credentials on Safari 15”
🚫 Bad:
“Login broken”
2. Steps to Reproduce
List detailed, numbered steps to recreate the issue. Be precise and include any setup needed.
markdownCopyEdit1. Go to https://example.com/login
2. Enter valid credentials (see Test Data section)
3. Click "Login"
3. Actual Result
Describe what actually happened. Be objective.
The page reloads without logging the user in.
4. Expected Result
Describe what should happen.
The user should be logged in and redirected to the dashboard.
5. Environment Details
Mention OS, browser, device, app version, and environment (e.g., staging, UAT).
markdownCopyEdit- Browser: Safari 15.6
- OS: macOS Monterey
- App Version: 2.4.1
- Environment: UAT
6. Attachments / Evidence
Always include:
- Screenshots
- Screen recordings (if possible)
- Console logs, network errors (for UI bugs)
📌 Tools: Loom, Lightshot, or browser dev tools
7. Severity and Priority (if applicable)
Define the severity of the bug:
- Blocker
- Critical
- Major
- Minor
- Trivial
Note: Developers and leads usually finalize priority, but you can suggest it if you’re confident.
8. Additional Notes (Optional)
Include relevant test data, previous related bug IDs, or analysis you’ve done.
🧾 Example of a Good Bug Report
Title:
Reset Password Email Not Sent for Registered User
Steps to Reproduce:
- Go to https://app.example.com/login
- Click “Forgot Password”
- Enter registered email: [email protected]
- Click “Submit”
Actual Result:
No email received. No confirmation message shown.
Expected Result:
A success message appears and the user receives a reset password email.
Environment:
- Browser: Chrome 123
- OS: Windows 10
- Environment: UAT
- App Version: 1.3.0
Severity: Major
Attachments: Screen recording, Screenshot
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It’s a Problem |
|---|---|
| “Not working” with no details | Developer can’t reproduce or debug it |
| Missing steps or vague inputs | Causes confusion and delays |
| No evidence attached | Can’t confirm the issue visually |
| Blaming tone (“your bug”) | Breaks team trust and cooperation |
| Ignoring environment details | Bug may not be reproducible elsewhere |
🎯 Tips for Making Reports Developer-Friendly
- Reproduce the issue twice before logging it
- Keep your tone neutral and professional
- Focus on facts, not frustration
- Don’t assume—always describe
- Group related bugs, but avoid duplicates
🧠 Final Thoughts
A bug report is a professional document, not a complaint. When done right, it:
- Saves time
- Improves software quality
- Builds respect between QA and development teams
Testers who write clear, respectful bug reports are seen as valuable partners in delivering great software—not just problem-spotters.
