Let's make quality the norm again

If you build or buy software, your expectations for what counts as 'good enough' are about to rise.

The article 'Let's make quality the norm again' advocates for a renewed focus on quality in product development and service delivery. It argues that in the pursuit of speed and innovation, many companies have compromised on fundamental quality standards. The author calls for a cultural shift within organizations to prioritize robust testing, thorough user feedback, and long-term reliability over rapid iteration. This involves re-evaluating current methodologies and investing in processes that ensure products and services meet high-quality benchmarks from inception through to deployment. The piece suggests that establishing quality as a baseline expectation will ultimately lead to greater customer satisfaction and sustained business success.

This perspective suggests a market correction is underway, where the initial frenzy of rapid development is giving way to a more mature phase emphasizing sustainability and customer trust. Companies that resist this shift may find themselves outpaced by competitors who demonstrate a stronger commitment to reliable, high-quality offerings. The implications extend to engineering teams, who may need to adapt their workflows to incorporate more rigorous quality assurance practices.

The emphasis on quality as a 'norm' signals a potential recalibration of industry benchmarks and user expectations. It suggests that 'good enough' is no longer a viable strategy for long-term market leadership. Businesses will likely need to invest more in foundational quality processes, potentially impacting budgets and timelines, but aiming for reduced long-term costs associated with bugs and customer churn.