What is the best approach to tracking defects related to the standard Case object?

The most effective approach for tracking defects related to the standard Case object is to create a custom object specifically for defects and relate it to cases using a lookup relationship. This method provides several advantages.

By creating a custom object for defects, organizations can tailor fields and functionalities specifically to capture all pertinent defect details, which may not align with the existing fields on the Case object. This custom approach allows for flexibility and customization, ensuring that the structure can evolve alongside organizational needs.

Utilizing a lookup relationship to associate the defect object with the Case object offers the benefit of maintaining the autonomy of both objects. This relationship type allows defects to exist independently while still being related to one or more cases. This is particularly useful in scenarios where defects might not need to have a strong parent-child dependency, enabling cases to be tracked without enforcing strict hierarchical constraints that a master-detail relationship would impose.

In contrast to creating all defect fields on the Case object, which can bloat the existing object and complicate data management, or using a master-detail relationship that would impose ownership restrictions and cascade delete effects, the lookup relationship strikes a balance between organizational tracking and data integrity. This flexibility is especially beneficial in contexts where defects might need to be tracked across various cases or systems.

Overall, the custom