EXPEDIA GROUP TECHNOLOGY — INNOVATION
Bugathon: Achieving Excellence in Software Development
Creating a software development competition that identifies and fixes bugs
Introduction
In the world of software development, identifying and fixing bugs is an essential task that requires constant attention and effort. Even the most sophisticated and well-designed software programs are vulnerable to bugs, which can result in glitches, malfunctions, and even system crashes. To ensure that software programs are bug-free, many organizations have started conducting Bugathon events. Expedia Group™ recently organized a Bugathon event that brought together some of the best minds in software development. In this blog, we will discuss the details of the event, its objectives, and how it was organized.
What is a Bugathon event?
A Bugathon event is a software development competition that focuses on identifying and fixing bugs in a software program. Participants are given access to a range of tools and resources to help them identify and fix the bugs within a given time frame. The bugs are then reviewed by a panel of judges, who categorize them based on their severity and impact on the software program. The participants with the highest number of bug reports and the team with the most bug fixes are awarded prizes. They are judged on the quality of their work and the number of bugs they are able to fix.
A Bugathon is similar to a Hackathon, but instead of starting from scratch with new ideas, you make what you already have even better.
The Bugathon was designed to help improve the quality of the Expedia website and mobile app by identifying and fixing any bugs that may be present. The participants were given access and judged on the quality of their work and the number of bugs they could fix.
The need for a Bugathon event
In the world of creating software, finding and fixing problems is a crucial job that needs constant attention. Even the fanciest and most well-made software can have issues that cause hiccups, breakdowns, or even crashes. As companies grow, these problems can stick around for a while, making the list of issues even longer.
To make this less of a headache, we introduced a Bugathon. It’s a three-day event where developers, designers, managers, and leaders all come together to spot and report issues that are currently affecting how our software works for travelers or hindering our ability to generate revenue from customer interactions. These reported issues are then sorted by how important they are, and our product and engineering teams commit to fixing them within a day. This helps ensure that our software is running smoothly, so travelers can enjoy our website without any problems.
A Bugathon also encourages teamwork, sharing knowledge, and getting more work done. When everyone focuses on the whole product for a while, new ideas and improvements often pop up that can make our product even better. There are several other benefits if an organization holds a Bugathon, including:
Cross-team collaboration
By bringing together developers from different teams, a Bugathon helps to break down silos and foster cross-team collaboration. This can help to reduce domain barriers, improve code coverage, and increase overall understanding of the product.
Improved software quality
By dedicating a significant amount of time to bug fixing, developers can help to improve the quality of our software. This helps catch issues early on and prevents them from becoming bigger problems down the road. It also leads to a better user experience.
Improved productivity
Cross-team collaboration leads to better solutions and improved productivity, as each team can bring unique skills and perspectives.
Sharing of knowledge
Developers can learn from each other, share their skills and knowledge, and work together to solve problems.
Increased team bonding
Coming together for such events helps people to understand each other better. It is only through these connections that people can build new networks and create a more positive hybrid working environment later on. By gaining trust, employees become more proactive with their ideas, feel ready to take risks, listen to one another, and arrive at a consensus more easily. Eventually, the entire team becomes more confident about exposing their vulnerabilities to each other.
New ideas and insights
By focusing on the end-to-end product at a stretch, developers may come up with new ideas and insights that can lead to new inventions and features for the betterment of our product.
Benefits for program managers and product managers
By participating in end-to-end testing of the product, program managers and product managers can identify areas for improvement. They also get to see the product from a new perspective and gain a deeper understanding of how it works.
Recognition and rewards
At the end of the event, the teams who have fixed the most bugs are awarded cash prizes, encouraging healthy competition among participants.
Pilot program, success metrics and insights
This incredible event was put together by a small team from Expedia’s Air organization, and everyone was welcome to join in — including Software Developers, Technical Program Managers, Product Managers, and User Experience Teams.
The event had two main parts: logging bugs and fixing them. We also had a review panel in this pilot program, and they played a huge role in making this event successful. After bug logging, there was a bit of a tough phase where the review panel categorized all the bugs — they figured out which ones were not a big deal and which ones were super important for our product. This took some time, and they did a great job. During the bug-fixing phase, the review panel also did a lot: They helped teams as mentors, reviewed code on time, and made sure everything was working fine.
Once the bug-fixing part was done, we had a fun happy hour. It was a great way to relax after a busy day, have fun together, and get to know each other better. This happy hour made the event even better, and it was awesome to see how much everyone enjoyed it. We were so happy to see how excited people were about this event, and their enthusiasm for making our software awesome was truly inspiring.
Success metrics
The Bugathon event proved to be a remarkable success, with an outstanding participation rate of over 90% from the Air Team at Expedia Group. All of the teams demonstrated exceptional speed and efficiency in resolving intricate problems, impressing the review panel with the high quality and quantity of reported bugs.
Participants were recognized and awarded prizes based on various criteria, including the number of bugs reported, the severity of the bugs, and the excellence of their bug fixes. Out of the total 98 bugs reported, an impressive 63 were successfully addressed and concluded. Among them, 35 bugs were fixed and seamlessly integrated into the production, resulting in a noteworthy accomplishment. The latest data indicates that there are currently no open Bugathon bugs, reflecting the success of the bug fixes completed within the designated timelines.
Beyond being an enjoyable experience for the participants, the Bugathon presented a valuable opportunity for Expedia Group. It enabled the company to identify and address critical bugs in its products, leading to an enhanced user experience. Moreover, the event fostered a culture of quality, innovation, and collaboration within the organization, which is pivotal for long-term success.
The Bugathon served as a testament to the expertise and dedication of the participating teams, showcasing their ability to work swiftly and effectively to tackle complex issues.
Overall, the Bugathon was a resounding success, leaving a lasting positive impact on Expedia Group’s commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and the continuous improvement of its technological offerings.
As the event drew to a close, we conducted a comprehensive survey to gather feedback, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.
Anunay Sharan, a new addition to Expedia Group as a product manager, found Bugathon instrumental in revealing crucial details about his product, thereby accelerating his learning curve.
Sakshi, a senior manager, expressed how Bugathon emerged as an enjoyable yet challenging endeavor for the team.
She highlighted the considerable number of bugs addressed in just one day, along with the remarkable level of participation and enthusiasm it ignited within the team.
She also commended the organizers for their commendable efforts in orchestrating this novel event, which turned out to be a delightful break from routine work, while still contributing to customer solutions.
Dharmendra Sharma, a Principal Mobile Engineer, noted Bugathon’s significance as a platform for developers to step away from active development and retrospect. The ongoing product priorities sometimes hindered focus on certain Flights features, and Bugathon offered a chance to revisit and rectify those previously overlooked issues.
He particularly emphasized the value this event brought to native apps, as testing oversights could lead to prolonged issues due to release characteristics.
Dharmendra eagerly anticipates more Bugathons in the future.
Participants also shared their positive experiences. Kanika Hans, the Bugathon winner, reflected,
“The overall experience of the event was amazing. The deadlines involved in solving bugs made it quite exciting and challenging. The Bugathon was a great opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills one has gained. The organizers were always available to answer questions and offer support, which made the experience even more enjoyable.”
Akansha Pal, a Software Engineer, found Bugathon to be a valuable learning experience. She highlighted its role in teaching her the significance of critical thinking, especially when working under tight timelines. It also honed her time management skills during essential bug fixes.
As Saumya Sharma, another participant, shared, “It was a very interactive and informative event. Definitely helped me to connect with other team members.” Bugathon’s impact went beyond bug-solving, fostering team bonding.
In a post-pandemic world where remote work became the norm, Bugathon emerged as a boon, bridging the social gap and bringing teams closer. It not only improved inter-team relations but also enhanced work understanding, leading to better timelines and issue resolution.
How to organize a successful Bugathon
Organizing a successful Bugathon requires careful planning and execution to ensure maximum participation and fruitful outcomes. Here are some key steps to follow when arranging one:
1. Define the purpose and scope: Clearly establish the objectives of the Bugathon. Determine whether it will focus solely on bug fixing or also include feature enhancements and optimization. Define the scope, including specific LOBs or modules to be targeted during the event.
2. Form a dedicated team: Assemble a team responsible for organizing the Bugathon. This team should consist of representatives from various departments, including development, UX, QA, product management, program management, and marketing. Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure smooth coordination and efficient execution.
3. Set a schedule and duration: Determine the duration of the Bugathon, considering the complexity of the software and the availability of participants. It could range from a few days to a week. Create a detailed schedule outlining specific activities, such as bug identification, resolution, and presentation.
4. Form a review panel: The involvement of a review panel is of utmost importance in the Bugathon process. This panel will consist of experienced senior engineers who possess deep knowledge of the codebase. Their primary responsibility will be to ensure that no bug is considered resolved unless all necessary criteria, such as the completion of unit tests, functional tests, and performance tests, are met. This meticulous approach guarantees that once a bug is fixed, it does not resurface when addressing other features or bugs in the future.
5. Engage participants: Generate excitement and encourage participation by promoting the Bugathon across the organization. Emphasize the benefits of involvement, such as skill enhancement, collaboration, and the opportunity to contribute to product improvement. Provide incentives, such as rewards or recognition, to motivate participants.
6. Provide necessary resources: Ensure participants have access to the required tools, development environments, and relevant documentation. Set up a dedicated bug-tracking system or utilize existing project management tools to manage and monitor the reported issues effectively.
7. Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing: Encourage cross-functional teams to work together during the Bugathon. Facilitate communication channels for sharing ideas, solutions, and best practices. Organize regular meetings to clear any doubts, and be clear with the rules and guidelines.
8. Recognize and celebrate achievements: Acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of participants by celebrating milestones and highlighting success stories. Showcase resolved bugs, improvements made, and the impact on the software’s performance. Publicly recognize the top contributors and award prizes to motivate and inspire future Bugathon events.
9. Post-Bugathon evaluation and action: Conduct a post-Bugathon evaluation to gather feedback from participants and identify areas for improvement. Analyze the results achieved, both in terms of bug resolution and team collaboration. Create an action plan to implement the identified improvements and track the impact in subsequent months.
By following these steps, you can organize a successful Bugathon that fosters collaboration, promotes innovation, and results in tangible improvements to your software and products.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, the integration of initiatives like Bugathon throughout our organization extends beyond mere bug fixing. It’s about fostering a culture of ongoing betterment and fostering innovation. By dedicating focused effort and resources to evaluate our software and functionalities, we unlock latent potential, paving the way for remarkable customer experiences.
These events, exemplified by Bugathon, act as robust stimulants for collaboration, erasing divisions among teams and cultivating a shared mission. Involving both technical and non-technical units actively harnesses diverse insights and taps into a vast reserve of wisdom, propelling significant improvements.
Furthermore, Bugathon and its counterparts empower our developers to embrace ownership and drive customer contentment. Through these platforms, they evolve into enthusiastic advocates of our offerings, persistently seeking avenues to transcend expectations and deliver excellence.
By weaving these events into our routine, we establish a continuous enhancement rhythm, propelling our organization into the dynamic realm of travel technology. This dedication to refining our software and functionalities promises a seamless user journey, delighted patrons, and a robust edge in the competitive landscape.
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