What are the consequences of correcting defects discovered later in the development cycle?

The consequence of correcting defects discovered later in the development cycle is that costs tend to increase. This is due to a number of factors that contribute to the complexity and expense of identifying and fixing issues in later phases of development.

When defects are found early, such as during the requirements or design phases, they can be addressed before they propagate into later stages of development, where they may lead to more significant rework and more widespread implications. As development progresses, fixing a defect often requires revisiting and modifying code that has already been developed, potentially affecting multiple components or modules. Additionally, late discovery of defects may disrupt schedules, require additional testing to confirm fixes, and potentially delay delivery schedules.

The costs associated with late defect discovery also include not only the direct costs of fixing the defects but also the indirect costs such as project delays, lost operations time, and the ripple effect on other team members’ work. Therefore, it is generally accepted that finding and fixing defects early in the development process is more efficient and cost-effective.