According to the 1:10:100 Rule, how much does it cost to fix an error found during the design phase?

The 1:10:100 Rule highlights the correlation between the cost of fixing errors at different stages of a project. According to this principle, if an error is identified during the design phase, the cost to rectify that error is significantly lower than if it were discovered later in the process, such as during production or after the product has been delivered.

In this context, fixing an error that is found during the design phase costs $1. This amount reflects the relatively simple adjustments that can be made when the project is still in its initial stages and designs can be easily modified. On the other hand, if an error is not caught until the testing phase, the cost to fix it rises to approximately $10, indicating that it becomes more complex and expensive to make changes once development has progressed. Finally, if an error is discovered after deployment, the cost escalates to around $100, representing the substantial expenses associated with addressing issues in a completed product, which may include recalls, customer support, and damage to reputation.

This rule serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of thorough planning and quality assurance in the early phases of project management, as the costs of rectifying errors can exponentially increase over the project lifecycle.