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    True, but I didn't write that the goal of TDD or any other software development method is an optimal solution in the sense of a global optimum. My only concern is that methodologies based on small iterations at source code level might not find any acceptable (good enough) solution at all in many cases Commented Jan 9, 2017 at 20:53
  • @Frank My answer is intended to cover both local and global optimums. And the answer either way is "No, that's not what these strategies are designed for -- they're designed to improve ROI and mitigate risk." ... or something like that. And that's partly due to what Jörg's answer gets at: the "optimums" are moving targets. ... I'd even take it a step further; not only are they moving targets, but, they're not entirely objective or measurable. Commented Jan 9, 2017 at 21:17
  • @FrankPuffer Maybe it's worth an addendum. But, the basic point is, you're asking whether these two things achieve something they're not at all designed or intended to achieve. More to it, you're asking if they can achieve something that can't even be measured or verified. Commented Jan 9, 2017 at 21:21
  • @FrankPuffer Bah. I tried to update my answer to say it better. I'm not sure I made it better or worse! ... But, I need to get off SE.SE and get back to work. Commented Jan 9, 2017 at 22:03
  • This answer is ok, but the problem I have with it (as with some of the other answers) is that "mitigating risk and improving ROI" are not always the best goals. They are not truly goals by themselves, in fact. When you need something to work, mitigating risk ain't gonna cut it. Sometimes relatively undirected small steps as in TDD won't work -- you'll minimize risk alright, but you won't reach anywhere useful in the end. Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 13:34