Jens Oliver Meiert

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Cost of Solution vs. Cost of Problem

Published on Sep 20, 2007 (updated Feb 5, 2024), filed under . (Share this post, e.g., on Mastodon.)

This and 133 other posts are also available as a well-behaved ebook: On Web Development.

Problems cost money, and problems require solutions that also cost money. This is known in all industries, but in many cases, there is focus on only one side: What does the solution of the problem cost? This ignores the other side, the cost of the problem.

Evaluating cost of solution is simple: You determine the time and money you need to develop and implement it. You’re looking at the resources needed. Cost of problem, however, equals the price of doing nothing. That is, for what I know, an important economic principle known from cost-benefit analyses.

I recently wrote more on the matter for Germany’s Dr. Web mag, with details and examples. As that has been an exclusive, it prevents me from providing more information in this place. The point is this: Always consider the cost of the problem in order to prioritize appropriately. Some changes are unnecessary and expensive, others are critical and must not be delayed.

If you can’t wait until I can share more: Jeff Thull goes as far as to consider this the “best-kept secret of the selling world.”

About Me

Jens Oliver Meiert, on March 2, 2026.

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m an engineering lead, guerrilla philosopher, and indie publisher. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager at various companies (e.g., Google); I’m an active web and tool developer (code optimization, digital defense), a contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and a book author (O’Reilly, Frontend Dogma).

I love trying things—in web development and engineering management, but also in politics and philosophy, where I hold to one idea in particular: that we can only be well if we take good care of everyone. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my perspectives and experiences. (Please share feedback: Interpret charitably, keep it friendly, but do be critical.)