Guess what has become an integral part of businesses of all sizes in the 21st century? That’s right, it is software development, which is why outsourcing it has also become quite popular. Not just within businesses but also among individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Regardless of its popularity, software development is an extensive task with tiny logics making their way into every single line of code. And considering that a simple software can have at least a few hundred lines of code, a few bugs are inevitable.
One can only imagine the complexity in a software that has thousands and even millions of lines of code – the Chrome web browser has about 15 million lines of code.
Ahead, we will see how many bugs are typically found in software, how much they can cost to fix, and see a case study that cost a well-known brand billions of dollars.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Bug?
It is vital that you take your time researching your software development outsourcing partner. Because, otherwise, a wrong outsourcing choice can cost dearly, not only in terms of money but also in time, delays, glitches, security issues, and a whole host of other problems.
A study by IBM found that the average cost of fixing a (emphasis on “a”) bug in mobile applications is about $10,000. This amount is more than the budget of small startups!
And if you’re wondering how many bugs are typically found in a mobile app, wait till you read the numbers.
Almost 3 out of every 4 mobile apps ship with as many as 10 bugs, according to a 2015 survey of more than 500 software developers. Some estimates report as high as 50 bugs in a single software application.
Doesn’t that put a real emphasis on the significance of quality assurance (QA) in software development?
Why Is Fixing Bugs Such An Expensive Task?
The cost of fixing bugs rises exponentially as the bug moves through the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This is understandable when you consider that once the bug is integrated into the code and deployed, it will be more difficult to fix it, thereby, more expensive.
Here’s how much it can cost to fix a bug during different stages of SDLC, and why:
- Requirements-Gathering Phase: The bug is still in the conceptual stage, and it can be fixed by simply talking to the stakeholders and getting clarification on the requirements. It is relatively simple and can cost only as much as $100.
- QA Testing Phase: The bug is now implemented in the code, but it hasn’t been deployed yet. The QA team can find and fix the bug before it causes any problems. The rework does, however, mean more working hours, which can cost about $1,500.
- Production Phase: The bug has now been deployed and would now be causing problems for the users. The development team will have to work overtime to fix the bug as soon as possible and deploy a newer version of the software. Consequently, it is very costly and time-consuming (which is already limited). It can cost upwards of $10,000.
- The Bug Is Never Found: If the bug is never found it could be secretly costing the company, which is worst as the company is never going to be working to fix it. Data loss or security holes are a couple of examples of this type of bug.
Read also: https://www.backgroundfairy.com/what-is-software-development-outsourcing/
Wrapping Up With A Case Study
Bugs are costly and this incident of Toyota Recall in 2009 gives us a real-life example of exactly how much.
In August 20009, Toyota’s Lexus ES350 suddenly accelerated out of control due to a problem related to accelerator sticking. Imagine, your car at speeds greater than 100mph with “no brakes”, and it keeps accelerating still!
Sounds like a nightmare, right? Because that’s what was happening with the Lexus ES350. One of the passengers called 911 but unfortunately, the car crashed, and all four passengers didn’t survive.
As a result, 9 million cars were recalled by Toyota, from all over the world, in 2010.
Upon closer inspection, there was no mechanical issue but a software bug that was causing a lag in the anti-lock brake system.
The cost of recalls, including legal liabilities, and rebuilding the lost reputation – in the form of marketing efforts and increased incentive campaigns – is estimated to be about $3 billion!
Have you ever encountered bugs in your line of work? What were these bugs and how did you fix them? Let us know in the comments.
The article was written in cooperation with the experts of SoftKraft – API Development Services
