Which of the following could be a disadvantage of independent testing?

When considering the potential disadvantages of independent testing, the loss of a sense of responsibility for quality among developers is a notable concern. In a development environment where independent testers assess the software, developers might begin to rely too heavily on these testers for quality assurance. This reliance can lead to a mindset where developers think, "It's the testers' job to find bugs," rather than feeling personally accountable for the quality of the code they produce.

As a result, there may be less diligence in writing high-quality code initially, as developers may not feel the same level of motivation to ensure the product is robust and bug-free. This can lead to an overall decrease in the quality of the software, as the responsibility for quality may become diluted.

The option highlighting developer quality responsibility resonates with the fundamental principle of fostering an environment where all team members share accountability for the quality of the project, not just independent testers. Recognizing this can help teams to remain vigilant about quality from the start, enhancing the overall outcome of the software development process.