Distinction without a difference. Your SWE costs blow up because development velocity is low and labor is a fixed cost. You reduce costs by increasing velocity,

Distinction without a difference. Your SWE costs blow up because development velocity is low and labor is a fixed cost. You reduce costs by increasing velocity, which in this case is achieved by aiming your development better. Move faster and move better (to move faster) are the same thing. You reduce costs by going faster, and with lean you go faster by avoiding time wasters.