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Issue tracking software:
How to pick the right one

These days, no IT project can work without issue tracking software. No matter the size or stakes, the risk of missing important tasks and underplanning is too big. But how do you pick the right tool?

acceptance testing tool aqua

Smart issue tracking system

In case you manage tasks just fine on messengers, here’s why an issue tracking system is still a must

1

Efficiency

If you describe every task from scratch, it’s frustrating for any developer trying to get into programming flow. If you try to fit text messages into a system, you spend too much time yourself. No one is happy

Add visual proof into your bug reports
2

High-Level Overview

Exchanging notes is not a good way to see how things are progressing. Whether you have a weekly release schedule or have yet to go live, seeing the scope helps a lot. Messages and Word docs go outdated fast

Flexible and agile work organisation
3

Accountability

Unexpected but time sensitive tasks should be done. Alas, an unplanned task can get buried. An issue tracking system enables you to assign the responsible dev, set a deadline and help the dev meet it

Professional bug report features
4

Data Security

User stories often communicate business logic and the know-how of your solution. It’s easy to slip and forward a message the wrong way or send a text document to the wrong person. Working in a hub solves that

Non-stop testing 24/7 with aqua

Value for everyone — more than just issue tracker templates

There’s something for everyone in using an issue tracker

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Upper Management

Even free issue tracking software with limited functionality saves money. A buried user story is a feature that won’t start generating revenue. An undocumented bug is a ticking bomb of financial losses

Even free issue tracking software with limited functionality saves money. A buried user story is a feature that won’t start generating revenue. An undocumented bug is a ticking bomb of financial losses

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Product Owner

A well-organised board of issues helps the Project Owner assess the team's capacity. Confining vision and creativity within the realm of possibility (or getting extra resources) is how you build great software

A well-organised board of issues helps the Project Owner assess the team's capacity. Confining vision and creativity within the realm of possibility (or getting extra resources) is how you build great software

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Developers

Convenient issue tracking system helps developers visualise how they go about their tasks. Some issues are connected in less obvious ways, so having a full list helps in choosing the right plan of attack

Convenient issue tracking system helps developers visualise how they go about their tasks. Some issues are connected in less obvious ways, so having a full list helps in choosing the right plan of attack

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Testers

Defects are part of any software: it’s all about how you deal with them. Testers (and thus your software) would appreciate a place to make bug reports, discuss them with devs, and verify resolution

Defects are part of any software: it’s all about how you deal with them. Testers (and thus your software) would appreciate a place to make bug reports, discuss them with devs, and verify resolution

Best issue track system features

Here’s what you should look for in a topflight issue tracking solution

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Item types coverage

If you’re using issues management software, it should ideally fit all your needs. The right tool should be able to handle at least user stories / requirements, tasks, and bugs. If you don’t cover the bases, some team will eventually need a second tool

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Issue tracker templates

Big company or not, reusability is the king when it comes to software development. The tool that you choose should support at least cloning tickets to save time. A truly top-tier option would be a template gallery shared in the workspace

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Workflows

Best issue trackers adapt to how you work, not make you change processes to fit the tool. Look for issues management software that has a variety of workflows or, even better, an option to create custom workflows

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Integration suite

One way to boost efficiency is to combine issue tracking and actual work. If your DevOps people can automatically reflect a Jenkins build in the issue tracker, you save man-hours every week. It’s the same for QA specialists and their tools

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Reporting functionality

Issue track system should live up to the name and actually help review progress. The direct answer would be the reporting functionality. Bonus points for customisation, different file format options, and alerts when things went wrong

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Collaborative work

Any issue tracker provides transparency by listing items, but top tier tools go wider. A comment section to discuss details goes a long way. Some functionality to bring the attention of colleagues to a ticket helps alleviate potential tension

image

Item types coverage

If you’re using issues management software, it should ideally fit all your needs. The right tool should be able to handle at least user stories / requirements, tasks, and bugs. If you don’t cover the bases, some team will eventually need a second tool

image

Issue tracker templates

Big company or not, reusability is the king when it comes to software development. The tool that you choose should support at least cloning tickets to save time. A truly top-tier option would be a template gallery shared in the workspace

image

Workflows

Best issue trackers adapt to how you work, not make you change processes to fit the tool. Look for issues management software that has a variety of workflows or, even better, an option to create custom workflows

image

Integration suite

One way to boost efficiency is to combine issue tracking and actual work. If your DevOps people can automatically reflect a Jenkins build in the issue tracker, you save man-hours every week. It’s the same for QA specialists and their tools

image

Reporting functionality

Issue track system should live up to the name and actually help review progress. The direct answer would be the reporting functionality. Bonus points for customisation, different file format options, and alerts when things went wrong

image

Collaborative work

Any issue tracker provides transparency by listing items, but top tier tools go wider. A comment section to discuss details goes a long way. Some functionality to bring the attention of colleagues to a ticket helps alleviate potential tension

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Why choose aqua as your issue tracking system

1

Truly ALM scope

aqua is capable of entire application lifecycle management. You can add requirements, bugs, test cases, test scenarios, and scripts across projects. Add as many as you need: we have clients with 2M+ items

aqua test case editor
2

Custom templates

aqua supports templates for all types of items. You can assign default values to dropdown fields as well as define the default data for text fields. Templates handle both basic and custom aqua fields

Dependencies of test cases in aqua
3

Agile & custom workflows

aqua allows you to create Agile sprints or work with other methodologies, such as Waterfall. No matter the configuration, you can set up workflows to define status transitions, as well as role- and field-based restrictions

Agile functionality with aqua test management tool
4

10+ integrations

aqua’s has over 10 integrations with leading tools, such as Jira, Ranorex, JMeter, Oracle, and more. It also supports REST API to connect any other tool used by your teams. The documentation is over 600 pages, and we can help you if needed

5

Next-level reporting

aqua’s report wizard could very well be separate software, but it comes with aqua. Pull data from your aqua instance, add diagrams and pivot tables, and even run scripts inside the report. Make a template based on your report to save time later

reporting with aqua
6

Working together

aqua facilitates teamwork without getting chaotic. Your team can discuss progress on the task under tickets and nudge colleagues for help. Granular user permission help to accept, limit or reject input from the team at different stages

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More than a bug
reporting tool

aqua is an Application Lifecycle Management solution. You can use it for all stages of your project

Planning, development, and testing in one tool

AQUA PRODUCT TOUR

aqua has a proven track record in heavily regulated industries, but we are not limited to them.

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Banking

aqua ALM helps banks increase testing productivity by over 50%
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Insurance

Consistent testing with aqua makes for robust insurance software that brings retention up

Government

aqua paves the way for digital transformation with a portfolio of 7 government organisations

IT

aqua helps reach a defect ratio of 98% with thorough and efficient testing

Any Industry

aqua provides top-tier performance with uncompromised security and insightful reporting for any industry
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Manufacturing

Using aqua helps an IoT manufacturer save 3% of revenue by reducing production defects

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Our clients speak for us

Companies that want to keep up with digital change trust in aqua

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“I was surprised to find such a comprehensive and mature tool for test management in the German market not having taken it seriously beforehand.”

Jörg Großmann, Head of Development, Bank 11
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“The reporting is meaningful and provides a good basis for decisions. After the employees have used aqua, they recognize the added value very quickly.”

Thomas Haeske, Head of Organisation/IT, Berlin Hyp
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“The aqua support and development team is a reliable partner for the implementation of the customer requirements of the KBA.”

Jörn-Hendrick Sörensen, Test Manager, KBA
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“Manual test cases are easily automated with aqua. Seamless integration with test automation tools helps here.”

Dennis Seidel, QA Specialist, megapharm
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“Designing parameterizable and modular test cases means a very slim structure, enables a high reusability and accelerates creation of new tests.”

Slavcho Mavrodiev, Head of Software Development, CREM SOLUTIONS

Our clients speak for us

“Designing parameterizable and modular test cases means a very slim structure, enables a high reusability and accelerates creation of new tests.”

“I was surprised to find such a comprehensive and mature tool for test management in the German market not having taken it seriously beforehand.”

photo
Jörg Großmann, Head of Development, Bank 11

“The reporting is meaningful and provides a good basis for decisions. After the employees have used aqua, they recognize the added value very quickly.”

photo
Thomas Haeske, Head of Organisation/IT, Berlin Hyp

“The aqua support and development team is a reliable partner for the implementation of the customer requirements of the KBA.”

photo
Jörn-Hendrick Sörensen, Test Manager, KBA

“Manual test cases are easily automated with aqua. Seamless integration with test automation tools helps here.”

photo
Dennis Seidel, QA Specialist, megapharm

“Designing parameterizable and modular test cases means a very slim structure, enables a high reusability and accelerates creation of new tests.”

photo
Slavcho Mavrodiev, Head of Software Development, CREM SOLUTIONS

Migration

Moving to aqua takes 1 day on average. We have our own migration tool to make the process smooth, secure, and cost effective

Even millions of items can be moved to aqua without hassle

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Pricing

We offer three tiers of aqua plus free Basic licences to any of the tiers. All tiers are available in Cloud and On-Premise

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