The Challenges of Software Development
Delroy A. Chevers · Auerbach Publications eBooks · 2023
Quality software products are vital to the success of information systems projects, the safety and security of individuals, and the competitiveness and sustainability of software development firms. Yet, software development firms, both large and small, often struggle with managing software quality, thus resulting in a software crisis due to the failure of numerous software projects because of low-quality products. In 2020, the total cost of poor software quality in the US was estimated at $2.08 trillion. These failures are particularly problematic for small firms who are unable to absorb such costs, resulting in some of them going out of business. The challenges faced by software development firms are explored by outlining several software errors, which ultimately cause product failures. These errors threaten the privacy, safety and security of individuals, but the sustainability of firms, and endanger the security of nations. Several software production methods which can be used to overcome the software crisis are explored in this chapter.