ENHANCING BUG REPORT CLARITY AND EFFICIENCY THROUGH ONTOLOGY PROTOTYPES

Objectives: To model and implement ontology prototypes to structure bug reports in a software industry organization, reducing ambiguities, standardizing communication, and optimizing resolution time. Theoretical Framework: Based on Knowledge Management (KM) and knowledge representation concepts, highlighting ontologies as tools to eliminate inconsistencies and provide a common vocabulary. Studies indicate that incomplete reports compromise bug fixing and that ontologies can standardize and enrich this information. Method: Exploratory and bibliographic research. Data supported the modeling, in Protégé, of three ontologies based on real bug cases. Results and Discussion: The ontology mapped the system’s functional context and linked it to symptoms, causes, and solutions. Results indicated greater clarity in communication, less rework, and faster problem resolution. Research Implications: Applying ontologies to bug reporting proved promising for improving knowledge management and competitiveness, reducing costs and response time. Originality/Value: This study presents a practical application of ontologies in bug fixing, transforming unstructured reports into clear and reusable semantic maps, contributing to efficiency and quality in software development.