Chapter 5 – Test Management
Defect Lifecycle – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
The set of states a defect passes through from discovery to closure, typically new, assigned, open, fixed, retested, closed, or reopened.
In simple words
The journey a bug takes from being reported to being closed.
Exam tip
ISTQB defect lifecycle states are frequently asked — know the standard flow and reopen path.
Related terms
- DefectA flaw in the product — code, requirement, or design — that could cause a failure when executed.
- Defect ReportThe written record of a bug — title, steps, expected vs. actual, severity, priority, environment.
- Defect TriageA regular meeting where the team looks at new bugs and decides which to fix now, later or never.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
Practice in Mock Test