Developers and QA testers clash over bug severity. How can you find common ground and resolve the conflict?

2 Communication Key

Effective communication is the cornerstone of resolving conflicts between developers and QA testers. When a bug's severity is disputed, it's important to facilitate a conversation where both parties can present their viewpoints. Developers should explain why they believe a bug may not be as severe, considering factors like user impact and frequency. Conversely, QA testers should detail their findings and the potential risks of not addressing the issue promptly. Through open dialogue, a mutual understanding can be reached.

3 Severity Standards

To mitigate the subjectivity in bug severity assessments, establishing clear severity standards is beneficial. These standards should define what constitutes a 'critical', 'high', 'medium', or 'low' severity bug, with specific examples and criteria. By having a shared reference, both developers and QA testers can evaluate bugs against these benchmarks, reducing personal bias and helping to align their perspectives on the importance of fixing certain issues.

5 Collaborative Tools

Leveraging collaborative tools can greatly enhance the interaction between developers and QA testers. Issue tracking systems allow both parties to document bugs, discuss them, and track their resolution progress. These tools provide transparency and a history of decisions made, which is invaluable when revisiting past issues or when similar disputes arise. Ensuring that everyone is using these tools effectively can streamline the conflict resolution process.

6 Empathy Exercise

Finally, fostering empathy between developers and QA testers can go a long way in resolving conflicts. Encouraging each party to step into the other's shoes, perhaps through role-swapping exercises or joint problem-solving sessions, can build a deeper understanding of each other's challenges and constraints. When both parties appreciate the pressures and objectives that their counterparts face, they are more likely to collaborate effectively and find common ground on bug severity issues.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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