Tackling Technical Debt

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- Feb 27, 2024

Transcript:

Hi, I'm Jonathan from Born Digital.

Technical debt is like the dust that accumulates when you don't clean your house regularly.
It's the result of taking shortcuts or making quick fixes in software development that can create problems later on.

Imagine if you're in a rush to finish a project and you don't have time to do things properly – that's when technical debt starts to pile up.

One of the main reasons why technical debt happens is because there's often pressure to get things done quickly. Deadlines, competing priorities, and the need to keep up with changing technology can lead to decisions that sacrifice long-term quality for short-term speed.

It's like trying to build a sturdy house in a hurry but using weak materials – it might hold up for a while, but eventually, it'll start to crumble.

To deal with technical debt, companies need to take a proactive approach. That means investing time and effort in good development practices, like writing clean code and regularly updating software as required.

It's like doing regular maintenance on your car – if you take care of it and fix problems as they arise, you'll avoid bigger issues down the road.

It's also important for everyone in the company to understand the impact of technical debt and work together to address it. Just like how everyone in a family needs to pitch in to keep the house clean, everyone in a company – from developers to managers – needs to take responsibility for maintaining the quality of the code. That might mean setting aside time for refactoring code or updating outdated systems or libraries.

Often, companies consider outside help to tackle technical debt. Just like how you might hire a professional cleaner to deep clean your house, companies can bring in experts or consultants who specialise in software development to help identify and fix problems.

We can offer a fresh perspective and help create a plan for paying down technical debt over time.

In the end, managing technical debt is all about balance. Companies need to find ways to move fast and stay competitive without sacrificing the quality of their software.

By investing in good practices, fostering a culture of collaboration, and seeking help when needed, companies can keep technical debt under control and build a solid foundation for future success.

If you need a helping hand with any technical debt in your business, reach out to us to see if we can help.