Tracking issues for a software project is often a tedious task, and given the number of variables involved, it can get rather annoying to control mistakes that occur.
With a number of bugs and errors happening at the same time, it becomes imperative to install an internal workflow and toolchain for your issue tracking team.
This has increased importance during today’s times when developers need to assure that the product is high in quality and has minimal issues.
So we decided to provide you with this ultimate guide on how to get started with issue tracking.
Issue Tracking Template (Free Download)
The importance of quality testing is known to most developers – it decides the fate of the product and determines its shelf life.
While developers are equipped to deal with the issues, there is no easy way to keep track of these issues. And that’s where issue tracking software comes in.
While there are quite a few options available out there, many just seem to add to the problem rather than rectify it.
To try and change this situation, you can use this issue tracking template. Offered to you for free, we encourage you to use it, while we also take you through the basics of a good issue tracking program.
The basics of issue tracking
As you may know, an issue tracking system or ITS works by managing and maintaining lists of issues that are needed by an organization.
It helps with the elements of bug tracking, defect tracking, and task management.
It enables users to document the issues that come up. However, documenting issues is just one part of what a good issue tracking software can do.
Issue tracking is an imperative part of the project cycle and is recommended for any developer who wants to improve the end result of the project.
The strength of good issue tracking software lies in the range of features it has.
Also, when you start to look out for one, consider when you may be using it. Many developers use issue tracking during a project’s development stage, but given the flexibility and host of features available, you can use it to collect feedback during other stages as well.
So, as you get started with a good issue tracking software, look out for the following features.
- Flexibility
- User-friendly interface
- File attachments
- Prioritizing tasks
- Sharing information
- Assigning tasks
- Issue reports
- Notifications
- Collaboration
1. Flexibility
Right from logging issues easily to prioritizing and assigning them – flexibility is the hallmark for a good issue tracking software.
It should also allow users to view issues in any manner they wish to. They should be able to view issues as per the ones assigned to them, by a daily check or a weekly one as well.
Facilities of search and filter must enable them to sift through the many entries to find the ones they specifically need at that point in time.
2. User-friendly Issue Tracking Interface
A user-friendly interface can come in handy with issue tracking.
A customizable dashboard is one strong element that can make it easier to work with issue tracking. Not only does it allow users to easily view the progress on their projects, but customization also lets you add the elements that match your requirements.
3. Ease with file attachments
Many developers attach files along with the issues they log in. Some developers also prefer to attach a screenshot or a small video as these elements make it easier to identify and report bugs.
Moreover, teams can better understand the defects that have occurred when files are attached. A good tracking software must have the ability for file attachments in various formats.
4. Prioritizing tasks and updating lists
Another strength would be to be able to prioritize and update the issues through the project process.
Some sort of issue timeline let people understand the status quo of certain issue reports.
Good software will help users view the tasks assigned to them. They should also be able to know which tasks are open, pending, closed and which aren’t. Finally, they should be able to prioritize the tasks by importance and update the list whenever required. This will enable the issue tracker to be a real-time tool.
5. Sharing information
Sharing information in a manner that improves collaboration is a key element too. Such software should enable file sharing or data sharing to make it easier to collaborate.
During some extensive issue tracking process a lot of information is shared between people involved.
A issue tracking tool is not only a place to document and fix issues, but also to discuss customer feedback, change requests and bugs.
6. Assigning tasks
Decent software would also enable users to assign issues to the relevant people. Such features make sure you can divide the work in an even manner so that no one member is overloaded with multiple tasks. This also helps in identifying the best person for the job.
Also, while an individual can use this software to log in issues and keep a track of them, teams find such software useful too. They are able to easily coordinate efforts, allocate resources in a balanced way and know their upcoming tasks for the day, making sure the work gets done faster.
7. Generating issue reports
Tracking software should enable users to easily generate reports that are simple and quick.
Reporting should also be customizable so that teams can generate the kinds of reports they require.
For example, if a team desires to display a list of all defects and their current status, they should be able to do so easily without having to go through tedious processes.
8. Email notifications
Email notifications or notifications on digital devices such as smartphones help the teams of developers stay on top of things.
These allow for team members to share emails or messages when bugs have been identified or threats updated.
Through this, it becomes easier to know about the latest developments and also keep a tab on the tasks assigned to a particular team member. This even suits the needs of new age organizations, where teams work remotely and have little idea of what the other teams are doing. Notifications can bridge that divide.
9. Collaborating on issue reports
A great issue tracking software must allow team members to connect and work together. It must allow for assigned people to see their set of tasks and help clients give feedback.
Your issue tracking software must be place full of conversation threads.
If you’re an agency that needs to work with external people, a guest access to your issue tracker and the conversations can be very handy and cost efficient.
10. Collecting feedback
Many developers also choose to use this issue tracking template to gather feedback from clients.
In order to improve the quality of a project, such feedback is very essential but often under-rated.
However, timely feedback can ensure that the project is turning out to be along the lines desired by the client.
An issue tracking software should enable clients to easily communicate feedback.
Besides client feedback, issue tracking can also bring in feedback from different teams. For example, a certain project may require feedback from the marketing team, and this channel can be set through the issue tracking software.
Wrapping it up.
If you are an individual looking for a good issue tracking software that eases the process of logging in and keeping track of bugs, then Usersnap is the right tool for you. Also, if you’re a team that is seeking ways to visually collaborate with team members and allocate jobs, then Usersnap is a scalable solution that suits different team sizes.
Providing a visual experience, ease of managing data and retrieving it are the key elements of this issue tracking software. So why should you delay, get a free trial today and make use of this free issue tracking template to get a feel of how things work around here.
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