Verify defect tracking improves software quality

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Open the defect tracking tool and log in

Step 2: Navigate to the project dashboard

Step 3: Review the list of open defects

Step 4: Select a defect and verify it has detailed information (steps to reproduce, severity, status)

Step 5: Update the defect status to 'In Progress' and add a comment

Step 6: Verify that the defect status updates correctly

Step 7: After fixing, change the defect status to 'Resolved' and verify it appears in resolved defects list

Step 8: Check the defect report summary to see defect trends over time

✅ Expected Result: Defects are properly logged, updated, and tracked. Status changes reflect accurately. Defect trends show improvement in quality over time.

Automation Requirements - Selenium with Python

Assertions Needed:

Verify defect details are displayed correctly

Verify defect status updates correctly after changes

Verify defect appears in correct defect list after status change

Best Practices:

Use explicit waits to handle page loading

Use Page Object Model to separate page interactions

Use clear and maintainable locators (id, name, or CSS selectors)

Include assertions after each critical step

Automated Solution

Testing Fundamentals

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC

class DefectTrackingPage:
    def __init__(self, driver):
        self.driver = driver
        self.wait = WebDriverWait(driver, 10)

    def login(self, username, password):
        self.driver.get('https://defecttracker.example.com/login')
        self.wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, 'username'))).send_keys(username)
        self.driver.find_element(By.ID, 'password').send_keys(password)
        self.driver.find_element(By.ID, 'loginBtn').click()
        self.wait.until(EC.url_contains('/dashboard'))

    def open_defect(self, defect_id):
        self.wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, 'searchBox'))).send_keys(defect_id)
        self.driver.find_element(By.ID, 'searchBtn').click()
        self.wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.CSS_SELECTOR, f'div.defect-item[data-id="{defect_id}"]'))).click()

    def get_defect_details(self):
        details = self.wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, 'defectDetails')))
        return details.text

    def update_status(self, new_status, comment):
        status_dropdown = self.wait.until(EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.ID, 'statusDropdown')))
        status_dropdown.click()
        option = self.wait.until(EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.XPATH, f"//option[text()='{new_status}']")))
        option.click()
        comment_box = self.driver.find_element(By.ID, 'commentBox')
        comment_box.clear()
        comment_box.send_keys(comment)
        self.driver.find_element(By.ID, 'updateBtn').click()
        self.wait.until(EC.text_to_be_present_in_element((By.ID, 'currentStatus'), new_status))

    def get_current_status(self):
        status = self.wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, 'currentStatus')))
        return status.text

    def verify_defect_in_list(self, status_list_id, defect_id):
        self.driver.find_element(By.ID, status_list_id).click()
        self.wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.CSS_SELECTOR, f'div.defect-item[data-id="{defect_id}"]')))


def test_defect_tracking():
    driver = webdriver.Chrome()
    page = DefectTrackingPage(driver)
    try:
        page.login('tester@example.com', 'TestPass123')
        defect_id = 'DEF-101'
        page.open_defect(defect_id)

        details = page.get_defect_details()
        assert 'Steps to reproduce' in details, 'Defect details missing steps to reproduce'

        page.update_status('In Progress', 'Started working on defect')
        status = page.get_current_status()
        assert status == 'In Progress', 'Status did not update to In Progress'

        page.update_status('Resolved', 'Fixed the defect')
        status = page.get_current_status()
        assert status == 'Resolved', 'Status did not update to Resolved'

        page.verify_defect_in_list('resolvedDefectsTab', defect_id)
    finally:
        driver.quit()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    test_defect_tracking()

This script uses Selenium WebDriver with Python to automate defect tracking verification.

The DefectTrackingPage class follows the Page Object Model to keep page actions organized.

We use explicit waits to wait for elements to load before interacting, avoiding timing issues.

The test logs in, opens a defect by ID, checks defect details, updates status twice, and verifies the status changes correctly.

Assertions confirm that defect details contain expected text and that status updates reflect properly.

Finally, it verifies the defect appears in the resolved defects list after status update.

This approach ensures the defect tracking tool works as expected, which helps improve software quality by managing defects effectively.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Using hardcoded sleeps instead of explicit waits

Using brittle XPath locators that rely on full paths

Not verifying the defect status after update

Mixing page actions and assertions in test code without separation

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing with 3 different defect IDs and statuses to update

Show Hint