The Defect Life Cycle, also known as Bug Life Cycle, is a crucial concept in manual testing. It describes the various stages a defect goes through from its identification to its closure. Understanding this cycle helps testers manage defects efficiently and ensures that they are resolved in a timely manner.

1. New:

   • When a defect is first identified, it is logged with a status of "New". At this stage, the defect is documented with all necessary details, including steps to reproduce, severity, priority, and any relevant screenshots or logs.

2. Assigned:

   • The defect is reviewed and assigned to a developer or a team responsible for fixing it. The status changes to "Assigned". The assignment is typically based on the defect's severity and priority.

3. Open:

   • The developer begins working on the defect. The status is updated to "Open". During this stage, the developer analyzes the defect, identifies the root cause, and works on a fix.

4. Fixed:

   • Once the developer has implemented a fix, the defect status is updated to "Fixed". The fix is then passed on to the testing team for verification.

5. Retest:

   • The testing team retests the defect to verify that the fix resolves the issue. The status is updated to "Retest". If the defect is not resolved, it may be sent back to the developer with a status of "Reopen".

6. Verified:

   • If the defect is successfully resolved, the status is updated to "Verified". This indicates that the defect has been fixed and the solution is effective.

7. Closed:

   • Once the defect is verified, it is marked as "Closed". This indicates that the defect is resolved and no further action is required.

8. Reopen:

   • If the defect persists after a fix, it is reopened and the status is updated to "Reopen". The defect goes through the cycle again until it is resolved.

Let's consider a simple example to illustrate the Defect Life Cycle:

Imagine a web application where a user is unable to log in due to an error message that appears incorrectly.

• New: A tester identifies the issue and logs it as a defect with the status "New".
• Assigned: The defect is assigned to a developer who specializes in the login module.
• Open: The developer starts working on the defect, analyzing the login code.
• Fixed: The developer identifies a missing validation check and fixes the code.
• Retest: The tester retests the login functionality to ensure the error message no longer appears.
• Verified: The tester confirms the issue is resolved and updates the status to "Verified".
• Closed: The defect is marked as "Closed" after successful verification.

Task: Consider a scenario where a mobile app crashes when a user tries to upload a profile picture. Document the defect life cycle stages for this issue.

Solution:

1. New: Log the defect with details about the crash, including steps to reproduce and any error logs.
2. Assigned: Assign the defect to the mobile app development team.
3. Open: The developer investigates the crash and identifies a memory leak issue.
4. Fixed: The developer fixes the memory leak and updates the app code.
5. Retest: The tester uploads a profile picture to verify the fix.
6. Verified: The tester confirms the app no longer crashes and updates the status to "Verified".
7. Closed: The defect is marked as "Closed" after successful verification.

• Incomplete Documentation: Ensure all necessary details are included when logging a defect to avoid delays in resolution.
• Miscommunication: Maintain clear communication between testers and developers to ensure defects are understood and prioritized correctly.
• Ignoring Retest: Always retest defects after a fix to confirm the issue is resolved.

Understanding the Defect Life Cycle is essential for effective defect management in manual testing. By following the stages outlined, testers can ensure that defects are tracked, managed, and resolved efficiently, contributing to the overall quality of the software product.