It's probably correct to think that for writers, the time they put into creating a character varies from person to person. Some writers might create a character almost to the extent of living and breathing beside them, or alternatively roughly sketch out the foundations for one and leave it at that. However, there is one decision that we all make when we're creating a character. We decide what they're going to be like. As their creator, we have the power to imbue them with flaws, or indeed make them flawless.
When I sit down at my desk and think about creating a new character for a piece of work, one of the first things I establish is 'what makes them interesting?' For me, interesting characters almost always inhibit some flaw, be it blindingly obvious or a mere pimple on an otherwise perfect face. Flaws can be a powerful tool in writing. They can cause your character to trust that man who made the shady promise, to put themselves in danger, or more simply; start the story. I've always viewed the traditional story as being compelled by the main character's flaws, with the length of it dedicated to him/her overcoming it.
Without a flawed character, any story I'd imagine writing wouldn't seem whole. I also carry this view across to works that I read. Overcoming a flaw allows the story you read to become a personal achievement, and the reader can feel a sense of accomplishment for having witnessed this growth. Although, in stories such as John Cheever's 'The Swimmer', The main character doesn't ride over his flaw, but I still find his story fascinating. In a way, I can admit with guilt that I feel fortunate not to share the problems that he did, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one...
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