The Pelzman Effect
Andrew Brown
Expleo Group
We add test phases to find bugs and improve quality. But what if adding more phases made no difference?
In the Peltzman Effect, humans adjust their behaviour in response to perceived risk, taking additional risks when they feel safer. This means that, under certain conditions, the quality benefits from adding test phases are cancelled out by additional risk-taking elsewhere in the software development cycle, leading to no improvement in quality.
In this new eBook from Andrew Brown, the author explores how the Peltzman Effect exists in the software development life cycle. He investigates and shares the history of the Effect, how scientists discovered it and what it is so important to be aware of it.
This eBook will explore the conditions for the Peltzman Effect to be present. More importantly Andrew explains how the Effect can take hold in software development, the role of risk and how the Peltzman Effect can and should be addressed. We also examine the role of test phases in addressing this.
Key Takeaways
- Learn what the Peltzman Effect is and how it exists in Software Development
- Discover the methods to reduce the Peltzman Effect in your software testing
- Reduce risk in your software development life cycle
About Me!
Dr. Andrew Brown is a principal consultant at Expleo. He leads an independent line of research into understanding why we humans make the mistakes that lead to software defects.
He has 25 years’ experience in the software industry. Previous roles include Head of QA at HMV, Head of QA at a financial software house and a test manager in Japan.
He holds a degree in Physics and Maths, an MBA from Warwick Business School and a doctorate from Imperial College.