Why Estimating Bugs Requires a Distinct Approach from Story Points

When you stumble upon a bug in your code, it's like finding a typo in a love letter. You're torn between the embarrassment of the oversight and the awkwardness of explaining it to your code-crush. The initial consideration is often directed towards the possibility of it being a corner case, one that occurs infrequently and may have eluded my attention during the development phase. Subsequently, you engage in formulating a hypothesis to ascertain the underlying cause of the issue, proceeded by a methodical testing process to substantiate or disprove the hypothesis. There exists a sense of urgency in addressing and resolving the bug promptly or, if deemed viable, categorizing it as a non-showstopper with a temporary workaround in effect.

A bug free software is a myth. Human error, changing requirements, complexity of Software systems, emergent behavior, incomplete testing can all lead to potential bugs in the system. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate all bugs but to manage and prioritize them based on their impact on the software's functionality, usability and overall performance. When a bug is reported, a team member or multiple team members stop what they are doing and jumps on to resolve the bug depending on the criticality. This affects the velocity of the team and this is where things get interesting.

I often encounter discontent reactions from team members when I propose the idea of not story pointing bugs. The question that naturally arises is, "If we don't estimate bugs, how do we account for the work delivered by the team?" Almost instinctively, I find myself wanting to respond by emphasizing that Agile methodologies prioritize adaptability and responsiveness to change. In line with these principles, abstaining from assigning story points to bugs resonates with the core tenets of Agile development. Sure thing! "I'd rather not find myself in an HR meeting discussing strategies for improving my instinct management skills."

Estimating bugs can sometimes introduce complexities and inaccuracies, as it's challenging to predict the exact effort needed to address unforeseen issues. Clarity on the tasks required for completion is a crucial factor in Story pointing. Bugs often lack clarity till the hypothesis is validated. Agile methodologies emphasize continuous improvement through iterative feedback loops. Excessive time spent on estimating bugs can divert attention from identifying and addressing the root causes of these issues.

Rather than spending time estimating bugs, channel your team's energy towards delivering tangible value to your customers. When a bug arises, the team can address it promptly without the overhead of estimating it. This allows for a more streamlined and effective approach to problem-solving, ultimately enhancing the overall value delivered by the team. Focusing on value delivery is paramount for customers engaging with your products or services. Customers are more likely to remain loyal and advocate for your brand when they consistently receive value. This approach fosters trust, as customers recognize that your focus is on providing them with meaningful and relevant solutions. It's a strategic move that not only meets immediate needs but also builds a foundation for long-term relationships.

In that case you may ask how about the non critical/urgent bugs that goes into the backlog? The answer lies in the historic data. Pull out a report on the number of bugs resolved in a sprint for last 3 months by the team. Along with the velocity chart for the team you can derive the amount of work your team can pick up every sprint. Monitor incoming vs resolved bugs and keep bug triaging as regular as your coffee breaks—don't let them pile up like unread emails. Because, just like emails, the more bugs you accumulate, the scarier it gets to dive into that backlog.