Add daily email for 2025-02-23

Tests aren't a line item

source/_daily_emails/2025-02-23.md

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+---
+title: Tests aren't a line item
+date: 2025-02-23
+permalink: daily/2025/02/23/line-item
+tags:
+  - software-development
+  - automated-testing
+cta: ~
+snippet: |
+  Automated tests should be part of the software development process, not a separate line item.
+---
+
+A common mistake I see with new Developers and Development teams when starting with automated testing is to split development time and testing into separate tasks.
+
+They'll say when quoting a client or in an estimation session that the development time will take x hours and writing tests will take y hours.
+
+This is something I've always avoided.
+
+When broken out this way, it implies the automated tests are optional when they should be an integral part of the development process.
+
+They aren't a separate task that can be removed or skipped to save time or money.
+
+If I take my car to a garage, I don't ask them how long it will take to repair and how long to test what they've done.
+
+I want to know how much the whole task will cost and how long it will take.
+
+I assume they automatically test and verify the work they do and follow their industry's standard and best practices.
+
+I'm doing the same when developing software.