The old process used a spreadsheet as the primary tracking tool, and it looked something like this:

The Columns can be broken out to mean- 
 
 
 

Phase	The testing phase that occurred. At this time there are three. Blank is undefined, U is the first wave of Phase 6 testing, and X is the second wave of Phase 6 testing.
#	The tracking number for the defect. This consists of the Phase it is in, the initials of the individual who discovered the defect, and the defect number for that person.
Date	The date that the defect was logged.
Area	A more detailed breakdown of Test Area. This was used when the testing areas were further broken down. It is not used now.
Test Area	This is 6 categories that categorize the scope of phase 6 testing. It does not address Service, or Logistics testing.
Reported By	The initials of the defect finder.
Error Path	The sequence used when the defect was identified.
DB Location	The database where the defect surfaced.
Error Type	What form the defect takes. This column is seldom, if ever, used at this time.
Description	A brief synopsis of the error and its scope.
Comments	Any changes to the situation, amendments, current statuses.
Severity	A severity or priority setting arrived at by assessing the impact that the defect has.
Patch No.	The log number of the patch created to fix the defect.
ETA	When the patch that will fix the defect is expected from development.
Date Patched	When the patch actually arrives.
Snumber	This corresponds with an Astea assigned tracking number.
Knumber	This corresponds with an Astea assigned tracking number.
Astea Fix Status	What status is the defect on Astea's end? This field shows whether it's waiting for something, or if it is being worked on, or if it is closed on their end.
STK Assigned To	Shows the initials of the analyst who is assigned to retest the defect with the new patch.
Retest Status	This shows the result and progress of retesting. If it fails, this is changed to "failed" and a new case is generated with the same information, but with a new tracking number. The new tracking number would be the original plus an 'a' for the second report, 'b' for the third report, et cetera.
Defect Resolution Date	This is an indication of the date the defect is finally solved through the process.

Defects are reported by an analyst or user on a Defect Tracking Sheet that looks like this:

This form is archived on disk, and any changes to the case are appended to this document, as well as to the Control Sheet.