Bug reporting needs to be handled more effectively

[Kahri]

The way bug reporting is set up on these forums I think is going to be a big problem for SE for these first few weeks of release. In terms of perpetuating a positive feedback loop of negative perceptions, creating re-work and other inefficient work time processes for themselves in having to muddle through the clutter.

(1) Hardly anyone uses the proforma requested (insufficient info for the mods/devs to fully act on the feedback)
(2) People are using it as a chat/rant forum (clutter & actively unhelpful)
(3) Multiple threads are being created on the same issues (clutter & failure to either search properly or perhaps the search function isn't adequately handling the task)
(4) Lack of visible response from the mods/devs to all this overwhelming clutter (understandable in the circumstances of this busy pre-release period) can potentially cause ongoing negative perceptions by players.
(5) Just clicking the 'like' button doesn't necessarily mean it's the same issue, so 'like' is kind of redundant. Sure it will indicate an issue is affecting a major portion of the player base - but that is dependent on the players actually using it appropriately.

In short : lack of adequate control/moderation over the bug feedback process is feeding a mob mentality.

Now I can understand why, right at this point in time, that might be the case, but that doesn't fix the problem.

What is needed is:
(a) for SE to hire a shit load of extra short term staff to assist in the more tedious yet overwhelming aspects of handling feedback/moderating the boards, freeing up ongoing experienced staff to handle the bigger/more in-depth problems that crop up in the short term. How the game/feedback is handled, or more importantly is SEEN TO BE HANDLED immediately after release is going to be critical to its ongoing reputation;
(b) for some kind of form/template to be automatically required to be fully filled in when players submit their feedback.

Preferably the feedback/resolution process should be open, visible to everyone to generate confidence in the end-user. However if adequate moderation control/response isn't being used with bulletin boards/discussion forums then I really think that SE should take the bug reporting process off the forums and revert back to using the bug reporting process of the help & support page.

In doing so the devs/mods :
* can implement a bug reporting template;
* can require certain information fields in a bug reporting template to be completed before being submitted;
* can more efficiently and effectively organise the feedback they receive; and
* remove the propensity for bulletin board mob histrionics in the feedback/resolution process.

In any case, IMHO, if the current situation persists it will only end badly.

tl,dr : having a discussion board process for handling bug reports will only end badly, unless you're moderating/controlling it effectively. Which isn't happening at the moment. (For whatever reasons).