/ˈhaɪzənˌbʌɡ/
Definition
A software defect that disappears or changes behavior the instant anyone attempts to observe, debug, or demonstrate it. Often cited as the leading cause of emotional instability during sprint retros.
Common Manifestations
- Vanishes during screen-shares but resurfaces immediately after the meeting ends.
- Persists only in production environments and never in local builds.
- Appears exclusively for executives doing “a quick product walkthrough.”
- Defies log capture, test reproduction, and the laws of quantum software mechanics.
Usage Example
“QA swears it happened. DevOps saw it once. Now it’s gone. Classic Heisenbug.”
HR Guidance
Treat Heisenbugs as opportunities for professional growth, mindfulness, and existential dread. Document them thoroughly in JIRA, close as ‘Could Not Reproduce’, and prepare for their inevitable reincarnation five minutes before the next release