A cost per unit of processed code metric is determined based on a quantity of processed code during a given time period that is attributable to one or more developers, and a cost to develop the quantity of processed code during the time period attributable to the one or more developers. Also, a quality scaling factor is calculated based on quality measurements for the quantity of processed code. Thereafter, the cost per unit of processed code metric is scaled (or discounted) by the quality scaling factor to provide a cost of development index (CDI). Because the inputs to the quality scaling factor may be determined in an automated fashion, this CDI determination permits more rapid response to any adverse assessments. Furthermore, because direct measurement of code quality is employed, more meaningful insight is provided into the likelihood that end product, i.e., the software code, is of good quality.