Handling Defects in SEMM
Regarding defect handling in Scrum, beyond simply fixing them, there isn’t much additional advice I can offer. Scrum’s standard practice is straightforward: All work to be done—including defects—should be added to the Product Backlog.
Defects vs. Faults: What’s the Difference?
In hardware development, a fault refers to a genuine failure. For example, a hardware bug might occur because a component overheated, causing a circuit to short-circuit and burn out. These faults are tangible events—not hypothetical or abstract issues.
A defect in software, however, is a behavior in the software product that fails to meet the acceptance criteria agreed upon by the Product Owner, users, or other stakeholders. Defects are not mere oversights or missing requirements; they represent deviations from clearly stated acceptance criteria. Thus, addressing defects requires not only fixing them but also improving our development practices to prevent recurrence.
Why clarify these distinctions? Because calling software issues “faults” might imply inevitability or external blame, while referring to them as “defects” clearly places responsibility on the development team to improve.
How to Handle Defects in Scrum
Imagine you’re midway through a sprint, implementing a backlog item (such as a user story), and suddenly realize it cannot meet its acceptance criteria because of newly discovered defects. In such situations, it’s tempting to defer or abandon the item—but that’s not Agile.
Instead, Agile teams handle defects proactively:
- If defects prevent you from meeting acceptance criteria mid-sprint, address them immediately if possible.
- If you uncover defects or misunderstandings at the end of a sprint (e.g., during a sprint review), acknowledge the learning opportunity without assigning blame. Add these insights to the Product Backlog and adapt accordingly in the next sprint.
Don’t view such discoveries negatively. Agile embraces iterative learning and adjustment—it’s entirely natural to identify and refine requirements through incremental improvement.
Avoiding Complex Defect Management Processes
Some teams attempt to manage defects by establishing elaborate tracking procedures and workflows. However, these complicated defect-management processes typically add unnecessary overhead and fail to address root causes effectively. Instead, treat defects like any other backlog item—prioritize them by their value, urgency, and impact on customer satisfaction.
Practical Recommendations for Handling Defects:
- Immediate Action: If a defect is critical, fix it immediately.
- Backlog Management: If you identify a defect but cannot immediately resolve it within the current sprint, document it clearly as a Product Backlog item. Whether or not this item is ultimately prioritized for the next sprint is determined by the Product Owner.
- Collaborative Approach: Ensure the Product Owner understands and agrees with the defect’s importance. Keep the conversation collaborative rather than adversarial.
Acceptance Criteria as a Communication Tool
Clearly articulated acceptance criteria help avoid ambiguity. Well-defined acceptance criteria significantly reduce the likelihood of defects, facilitating smoother implementation and more effective testing.
Final Thoughts and Best Practices in SEM
Dealing with defects is inherently challenging, especially when they’re discovered late or are difficult to replicate. Rather than focusing purely on reactive fixes, strive for proactive prevention. A strong commitment to quality programming practices—particularly Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)—substantially reduces defect rates. Investing in these practices yields higher long-term returns through improved product quality and customer satisfaction.