IfSQ

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:

Design and Code Inspections to Reduce Errors in Program Development

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

Managing the Software Process

• Watts S. Humphrey
• Published 1989 by Addison Wesley

Calculating the Return on Investment from More Effective Requirements Management

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

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

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

An Economic Release Decision Model: Insights into Software Project Management

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

What We Have Learned About Fighting Defects

• Forrest Shull  et al
• Presented at Metrics 2002

Balancing Agility and Discipline: A Guide for the Perplexed

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

Professional Software Development

• Steve McConnell
• Published 2004 by Addison Wesley