Notes on Software Quality: Why Perfection is Impossible but Essential

Notes on Software Quality

I define software quality as the absence of problems, a spectrum where perfection is unreachable yet worth pursuing. Leadership and culture dictate whether an organization can achieve high standards, though quality becomes increasingly difficult as scale grows. While not always necessary for commercial success, prioritizing quality attracts talent, reduces technical debt, and builds a competitive moat that turns users into loyal fans.

"High quality is impossible past a certain point of scale. Some organisations are incapable of making high quality software. Importantly, this is a natural result of scale. It's not a complaint or a problem to be solved. It cannot be solved."