What are some best practices for attaching screenshots, logs, or videos to a defect report?

1 Choose the right format

Depending on the type of defect and the tool you use to report it, you may have different options for attaching screenshots, logs, or videos. For example, some tools allow you to paste images directly into the report, while others require you to upload them as files. Some tools support multiple formats, while others have specific requirements. You should choose the format that is compatible with your tool, easy to view, and clear to understand. For screenshots, you may want to use PNG, JPEG, or GIF formats. For logs, you may want to use TXT, CSV, or XML formats. For videos, you may want to use MP4, AVI, or MOV formats.

2 Capture the relevant details

When you attach screenshots, logs, or videos to a defect report, you should make sure they capture the relevant details that demonstrate the defect. For screenshots, you should include the entire screen or window, not just a cropped portion. You should also highlight or annotate the screenshot to point out the defect or the expected behavior. For logs, you should include the timestamp, the error message, and the relevant context. You should also filter out any irrelevant or sensitive information. For videos, you should record the steps to reproduce the defect, the actual and expected results, and any error messages or indicators. You should also keep the video short and focused, and avoid any background noise or distractions.

3 Name and organize the attachments

When you attach screenshots, logs, or videos to a defect report, you should name and organize them in a way that makes them easy to identify and access. You should use a consistent and descriptive naming convention that includes the defect ID, the date, and the type of attachment. For example, you could name a screenshot as D123_2021-01-15_screenshot.png. You should also group the attachments by type and order them logically. For example, you could group all the screenshots together, followed by all the logs, followed by all the videos. You should also use folders or subfolders if your tool supports them.

4 Compress and optimize the attachments

When you attach screenshots, logs, or videos to a defect report, you should compress and optimize them to reduce their size and improve their quality. You should use a compression tool or a format that reduces the file size without compromising the clarity or resolution. You should also optimize the attachments to remove any unnecessary or redundant data or metadata. For example, you could crop or resize a screenshot to fit the screen, trim or split a video to remove any irrelevant or long segments, or delete any duplicate or empty lines in a log.

5 Reference and explain the attachments

When you attach screenshots, logs, or videos to a defect report, you should reference and explain them in the report text. You should use a clear and consistent notation to link the attachments to the relevant sections of the report. For example, you could use brackets, numbers, or labels to indicate which attachment corresponds to which step or result. You should also explain what the attachments show and why they are important for the defect. For example, you could describe what the screenshot highlights, what the log reveals, or what the video demonstrates.

6 Review and test the attachments

Before you submit your defect report, you should review and test your attachments to make sure they are accurate, complete, and useful. You should check if the attachments are clear, legible, and visible in your tool. You should also check if the attachments are consistent, relevant, and updated with your report. You should also test if the attachments can be opened, played, or downloaded by the developers or other stakeholders. You should also ask for feedback or confirmation from your peers or managers if you are unsure about your attachments.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?