Which of the following best describes defect management?

Defect management is best described as a process to handle defects. This process encompasses various activities that involve identifying, documenting, categorizing, prioritizing, and tracking defects or bugs that arise during the software development lifecycle. It aims to ensure that defects are addressed appropriately, which may include assigning them for resolution, monitoring their status, and verifying the effectiveness of the resolutions implemented.

The focus on handling defects efficiently is crucial because it directly impacts the quality of the software product and user satisfaction. By managing defects effectively, teams can improve their overall development processes, reduce the risk of critical issues in production, and enhance the reliability of the final product.

In contrast, the other options refer to different concepts within the software development and testing environments. A testing framework pertains to the structure that provides a set of guidelines for writing and executing tests. A software development methodology defines the approach to planning, structuring, and controlling the process of developing an information system. A coding standard refers to a set of guidelines for writing code in a consistent manner. While all these aspects are integral to the software development process, they do not capture the essence of defect management as a focused process for handling defects specifically.