Reopening old bugs might seem like a quick fix, but in reality, it can cause confusion, mess up reports, and create long-term issues in bug tracking. In this post, we’ll explore why reopening old issues is a common mistake, why it happens, and the better alternative to manage recurring bugs.
The Common Scenario
In many large companies, products are released in multiple versions — for example, v3.2.1, v3.3, and so on. Each version:
- Has a release date.
- Comes with a defined support period (e.g., two years).
- May have minor updates or patches in between.
These versions are tracked in Jira’s Version field and are essential for:
- Product management.
- Account and technical account managers.
- Sales and customer support teams.
Bugs are reported against a specific version and fixed accordingly. However, the same bug can sometimes reappear in a future version.
The Problem with Reopening Old Bugs
When a bug that was fixed in an earlier version reappears, many teams reopen the original ticket.
Example:
- Bug reported in v3.2.1.
- Fixed in v3.2.3.
- Bug reappears in v3.3, and instead of creating a new bug, the old one is reopened.
Why this is a problem:
- Reporting gets messy – It’s harder to track in which version the bug was originally fixed.
- Loss of historical accuracy – Reports no longer reflect a true record of what happened in previous versions.
- Accountability issues – It becomes unclear who worked on the fix for the new occurrence.
Best Practices for Handling Recurring Bugs
- Only Reopen Before Release
- If the fix hasn’t gone live yet and the branch is still in development, reopening might make sense.
- Once the fix is released to production, avoid reopening.
- Create a New Bug
- For reoccurrences in new versions, log a new bug.
- Link it to the old bug for historical reference.
- Use Cloning
- Clone the closed bug so you keep all original details.
- The link between old and new issues helps with tracking patterns.
- Workflow Tips
- Add separate statuses like Done and Closed.
- Configure workflow properties so that closed bugs are non-editable.
Why This Approach Works
- Clear Reporting – You’ll know exactly which bugs were fixed in which versions.
- Better Analysis – Linking related bugs helps identify long-term trends and recurring issues.
- Improved Accountability – Each fix is tied to the team and timeframe that worked on it.
Final Thoughts
Jira is a powerful issue-tracking tool, but it relies on consistent and thoughtful processes. Reopening old bugs after release can compromise the integrity of your data. Instead, adopt a policy of creating new issues for recurring problems and linking them to historical ones.
This simple practice will keep your Jira environment cleaner, your reports accurate, and your product management more effective.