Catching defects during testing is 10 times more expensive

Research Findings
When should you inspect software?
Inspect during development
Catching defects during testing is 10 times more expensive

Research Finding:
Construction errors detected during system testing cost 10 times more to fix than in the construction phase and 10-25 times more to fix when detected post-release.

Sources:

Cover of IBM Systems Journal

Design and Code Inspections to Reduce Errors in Program Development

Recorded 1976 in IBM Systems Journal, 15, no. 3
Pages 182-211
Michael E. Fagan

Cover of Managing the Software Process

Managing the Software Process

Published 1989 by Addison Wesley)
Watts S. Humphrey

Cover of American Programmer

Calculating the Return on Investment from More Effective Requirements Management

Recorded 1997 in American Programmer, 10, no. 4
Pages 13-16
Dean Leffingwell

Cover of Software Engineering Institute

Hughes Aircraft's Widespread Deployment of a Continuously Improving Software Process

Recorded 1998 in Software Engineering Institute, no. 98-TR-006, May
Ron R. Willis et al

An Economic Release Decision Model: Insights into Software Project Management

Presented at Applications of Software Measurement 1999)
Robert B. Grady

What We Have Learned About Fighting Defects

Presented at Metrics 2002)
Forrest Shull et al

Cover of Balancing Agility and Discipline: A Guide for the Perplexed

Balancing Agility and Discipline: A Guide for the Perplexed

Published 2004 by Addison Wesley)
Barry W. Boehm, and Richard Turner

Cover of Professional Software Development

Professional Software Development

Published 2004 by Addison Wesley)
Steve McConnell

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