Rule 1 - Keep your code quality up enough to manage the level of realiability that the business demands and needs. Rule 2 - When questioned on estimates, say "

Rule 1 - Keep your code quality up enough to manage the level of realiability that the business demands and needs. Rule 2 - When questioned on estimates, say "The business needs XXX level of reliability and we have built our software and release practice up to the level we can deliver on that. The estimate takes into account this process, qa, defect cycles, and release constraints." and do not deviate from it. Unless Rule 3 - Deviate the heck out of it if your estimates plainly suck. :)