Kewl Tester

The five Levels are:

1. Critical - The defect results in the failure of the complete software system, of a subsystem, or of a software unit (program or module) within the system.

2. Major - The defect results in the failure of the complete software system, of a subsystem, or of a software unit (program or module) within the system. There is no way to make the failed component(s), however, there are acceptable processing alternatives which will yield the desired result.

3. Average - The defect does not result in a failure, but causes the system to produce incorrect, incomplete, or inconsistent results, or the defect impairs the systems usability.

4. Minor - The defect does not cause a failure, does not impair usability, and the desired processing results are easily obtained by working around the defect.

5. Exception - The defect is the result of non-conformance to a standard, is related to the aesthetics of the system, or is a request for an enhancement. Defects at this level may be deferred or even ignored.

In addition to the defect severity level defined above, defect priority level can be used with severity categories to determine the immediacy of repair. A five repair priority scale has also be used in common testing practice. The levels are:

1. Resolve Immediately

2. Give High Attention

3. Normal Queue

4. Low Priority

5. Defer

1. Resolve Immediately - Further development and/or testing cannot occur until the defect has been repaired. The system cannot be used until the repair has been effected.

2. Give High Attention - The defect must be resolved as soon as possible because it is impairing development/and or testing activities. System use will be severely affected until the defect is fixed.

3. Normal Queue - The defect should be resolved in the normal course of development activities. It can wait until a new build or version is created.

4. Low Priority - The defect is an irritant which should be repaired but which can be repaired after more serious defect have been fixed.

5. Defer - The defect repair can be put of indefinitely. It can be resolved in a future major system revision or not resolved at all.