Agree & Join LinkedIn

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Skip to main content
LinkedIn
  • Articles
  • People
  • Learning
  • Jobs
  • Games
Join now Sign in
Last updated on Jan 29, 2025
  1. All
  2. Engineering
  3. Software Testing

Developers and testers clash on bug severity consequences. How do you navigate this conflicting viewpoint?

Developers and testers often disagree on the impact of bug severity, but you can bridge the gap with effective strategies.

When developers and testers clash over bug severity, it can hinder project progress. Bridging this gap requires clear communication and mutual understanding. Here's how you can navigate these conflicting viewpoints:

  • Establish clear criteria: Define and document what constitutes different levels of bug severity to ensure everyone is on the same page.

  • Facilitate open discussions: Encourage regular meetings where developers and testers can discuss and resolve disagreements collaboratively.

  • Use a prioritization matrix: Implement a system to objectively prioritize bugs based on impact and urgency, reducing subjective bias.

How do you handle bug severity conflicts in your team? Share your strategies.

Software Testing Software Testing

Software Testing

+ Follow
Last updated on Jan 29, 2025
  1. All
  2. Engineering
  3. Software Testing

Developers and testers clash on bug severity consequences. How do you navigate this conflicting viewpoint?

Developers and testers often disagree on the impact of bug severity, but you can bridge the gap with effective strategies.

When developers and testers clash over bug severity, it can hinder project progress. Bridging this gap requires clear communication and mutual understanding. Here's how you can navigate these conflicting viewpoints:

  • Establish clear criteria: Define and document what constitutes different levels of bug severity to ensure everyone is on the same page.

  • Facilitate open discussions: Encourage regular meetings where developers and testers can discuss and resolve disagreements collaboratively.

  • Use a prioritization matrix: Implement a system to objectively prioritize bugs based on impact and urgency, reducing subjective bias.

How do you handle bug severity conflicts in your team? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
11 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Abhinaya Mahesh

    Test Automation Evangelist | Driving Business Growth with SaaS Analytics and Marketing Strategy at Zoho | IITM

    • Report contribution

    1. Setting clear standards with a bug priority matrix, ensures that both developers and testers have clarity on how the bugs are categorised. 2. Using a test automation software to collaborate with cross-functional teams could ease collaboration. 3. Test automation tools in the market have extensive tracking and reporting features, that give visibility on the degree of impact to the core functionalities of a software, helping teams reach a consensus.

    Like
    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Walid Boulanouar

    ai agents on demand | helping you integrate ai agents into the workforce | CTO @AY Automate | Building with n8n, A2A, Cursor & ☕ | AI Agents Talent Recruiter

    • Report contribution

    - Bug debates can feel like a game of tug-of-war, but they don’t have to be! - To bridge the gap, set clear standards for bug severity. Everyone should know what “high severity” really means. - For example, if a bug crashes the app for all users, it’s obviously a hot topic. But if it’s just a typo in a secondary feature, maybe it can wait. - Schedule regular catch-ups where developers and testers can air their views. This can turn a clash into a collaboration. - Remember, a bug is just a feature waiting to be properly ranked! So, let’s keep the lines of communication open! 🚀

    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Muhammad Uzair Latif

    QA & Testing Analyst @ Malaffi|ETL| AI Tester|Database Tester, Automation Tester, Performance Tester,Mobile and Web Tester,API Tester,Data Bricks|Azure Tester,specializing in Healthcare, Fintech,E-commerce and Blockchain

    • Report contribution

    Developer and Testers mostly have clash ok bug severity but we can easily manage and navigate through requirements, and your OM should mark user stories P1 and then through user stories and requirements you can atta h bug to particular user story then you can mark it severe. Otherwise you can sit with developer and by soft communication skills you can resolve this conflict.

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Mayank Verma, M.Eng.

    ISTQB® and PSM™ Certified | Software QA Analyst | Test Engineer | API Testing | Automated & Manual Testing | Mobile App Testing (Android & iOS) | Passionate about Ensuring Software Quality

    • Report contribution

    To navigate conflicts on bug severity, encourage open communication between developers and testers. Facilitate a meeting to discuss the bug’s impact on users, performance, and deadlines. Use clear criteria, like severity levels, to evaluate and agree on its importance. Focus on facts and data, avoiding personal opinions. If disagreements persist, involve a project manager or stakeholder to provide input and align priorities with business goals. Document decisions to ensure clarity and prevent repeated conflicts. By fostering collaboration and mutual understanding, you can build trust between teams and ensure the right bugs are addressed at the right time.

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Walid Boulanouar

    ai agents on demand | helping you integrate ai agents into the workforce | CTO @AY Automate | Building with n8n, A2A, Cursor & ☕ | AI Agents Talent Recruiter

    • Report contribution

    - Developers and testers often butt heads over bug severity. It's like watching a cat and dog debate over a toy! - To smooth things over, set clear standards for bug severity. This keeps everyone aligned and reduces confusion. - For example, a prioritization matrix can help rank bugs based on their real impact. This way, you’re not just arguing opinions; you’re using data to back your claims. - Remember, regular chats between teams can clear the air and build trust. So, grab that coffee and start the conversation! ☕ Let's turn those clashes into collaborations!

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Nazia Kaushar

    Specializing in Quality Assurance | Delivering Bug-Free Applications with Automated Testing & Efficiency

    • Report contribution

    In cases of conflict, focus on the impact a bug has on the product and users, rather than personal opinions or convenience. Ensuring open communication across teams can help everyone understand the bigger picture. Ensure that there is a clear distinction between severity and priority of the bug.

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Manish Kumar Tiwari

    Founder @ GroTechMinds & GroTechServices | Looking for reliable QA services? Let’s connect! | Helping Testers Master Automation Testing

    • Report contribution

    1.Define Clear Severity and Priority Criteria 2.Use a Standardized Bug Tracking System 3.Conduct Regular Bug Triage Meetings 4.Involve Product Owners for Business Impact Assessment 5.Encourage Open Communication Between Teams 6.Provide Data-Driven Justifications for Severity Levels 7.Consider User Impact Over Technical Challenges 8.Foster a Collaborative Culture, Not a Blame Game 9.Document Disputes and Resolutions for Future Reference 10.Use Customer Feedback and Analytics for Decision Making 11.Train Both Developers and Testers on Impact-Based Testing 12.Create a Conflict Resolution Framework 13.Encourage Developers to Participate in Testing Reviews 14.Establish a Continuous Feedback Loop 15.Recognize and Reward Constructive Collaboration

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Shubham Namdeo

    "Experienced QA Engineer | Specializing in Manual Testing with 5+ Year of Experience | API Testing | Automation Testing | Selenium with Python"

    • Report contribution

    To resolve conflicts between developers and testers on bug severity, establish clear, agreed-upon criteria for classification. Involve both teams in discussions to ensure alignment, focusing on how bugs impact the user experience and project objectives. Prioritize issues based on their severity and business impact, and maintain open communication to address differing views. By emphasizing transparency and collaboration, you can foster a constructive environment and ensure quality remains the top priority.

    Like
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Yulia Sharabi

    Quality Assurance | QA Manager | Growth Mentor | Passionate Blogger | Crypto Pioneer | ISTQB | Software Engineering

    • Report contribution

    When the severity of a bug is doubtful, it often stems from differing perspectives between the developer and the tester. The QA team is likely to represent the customer’s point of view—specifically, whether the behavior is critical for the customer. If referring to the design or documentation is not helpful, I suggest involving a focal point. The best focal point is someone neutral and grounded in the requirements or design domain. Most of the time, this would be the architect, product manager, or data analyst, as they can establish the appropriate severity.

    Like
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Ram Sharan Pillai

    Automation Test Engineer | Java, Selenium, API & Mobile Testing Expert | Delivered 40% Efficiency Improvement in Banking Projects | Passionate About Quality, Agile Practices & Continuous Improvement.

    • Report contribution

    To navigate conflicting viewpoints on bug severity, I focus on clear, open communication and alignment on project goals. I facilitate discussions with developers to understand the technical impact of the bug, while also considering the end-user experience. We can use a standardized severity classification system to ensure consistency. By focusing on the potential consequences for the user and the product, we can reach a consensus on prioritization. It’s about balancing technical aspects with business impact to make informed, objective decisions.

    Like
View more answers
Software Testing Software Testing

Software Testing

+ Follow

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.

Tell us more

Report this article

More articles on Software Testing

No more previous content
  • Struggling to meet software testing deadlines?

    11 contributions

  • Bugs are found right before a software release. How do you handle client expectations in this situation?

    19 contributions

  • You face disputes over test execution schedules. How will you find common ground?

    13 contributions

  • Your team is divided on test approach strategies. How can you navigate conflicting opinions effectively?

  • You're juggling deadlines with a global testing team. How do you handle time zone differences?

  • Your team is divided on which test cases should be prioritized. How can you resolve this conflict?

No more next content
See all

More relevant reading

  • Programming
    How do you communicate effectively with stakeholders when a critical bug delays the project timeline?
  • Test Management
    What are the best practices for writing clear and concise test cases for high-risk scenarios?
  • Quality Assurance
    How can you ensure that defect reports are actionable?
  • Software Testing
    How can you manage uncertainty in testing complex and evolving systems?

Explore Other Skills

  • Programming
  • Web Development
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Machine Learning
  • Software Development
  • Data Engineering
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cloud Computing

Are you sure you want to delete your contribution?

Are you sure you want to delete your reply?

  • LinkedIn © 2025
  • About
  • Accessibility
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Brand Policy
  • Guest Controls
  • Community Guidelines
Like
5
11 Contributions