Harith Bakhrani’s Post

As a developer you must know what Technical Debt is💯 What is Technical Debt? A Layman's Guide: This thread 🧵 contains all you need to know About Technical debt and why it happens 👏🏼 Technical Debt - The Hidden Cost of Quick Fixes: Technical debt is like cutting corners when building a house. You might get things done faster, but eventually, those shortcuts can lead to problems that need fixing..... In software development, technical debt refers to the extra work created when developers choose an easy or quick solution instead of a better, more time-consuming one. Why Does Technical Debt Happen? It often occurs when teams are under pressure to deliver features quickly. They might skip best practices, ignore code quality, thinking they’ll fix it later But just like financial debt, the longer you wait to address it, the bigger it gets. How Does Technical Debt Affect Software? Over time, technical debt can make your codebase harder to work with. Increase the chances of bugs, and make it more challenging to add new features. If left unchecked, it can even lead to system failures. Why is Managing Technical Debt Important? It’s about balancing the need for speed with the need for stability. Regularly addressing technical debt ensures that your code remains scalable, allowing you to build better software without being bogged down by past shortcuts. Alright that’s a wrap. Follow Wisdom Uchendu for more

How To Deal With Technical Debt 1. Code quality — our code could be clearer to understand. There are no coding standards, it’s poorly designed, and there is a lot of complexity. In addition, there are a lot of code comments explaining what something does. 2. Testing — we need a proper testing approach (check Test Pyramid), from unit tests to integration to E2E tests. Coupling — between modules that block each other increases the time to deal with such code. 3. Out-of-date Libraries or Tools — we are using some legacy libraries or tools with several issues, such as security or inability to update to new technologies and platforms. We, as developers, always want to work with the most up-to-date technologies and efficient tools. 4. Manual Process — some processes in our delivery need to be automated. No automated builds, no CI/CD process. 5. Wrong or no architecture — we don’t have proper architecture, or it’s just a big ball of mud. Our architecture doesn’t reflect what we want to achieve with our system, or it doesn’t scale well. 6. Lack of Documentation — there is no documentation, or it’s not updated to reflect the system’s current state. 7. Lack of Knowledge Sharing — we don’t have a culture of knowledge sharing, so it isn’t easy for newcomers to get up to speed. We should always document our decisions and specifications during our work. https://lnkd.in/dqdmByKf

Hot take: Technical debt is not your enemy! Technical debt as a term is often thrown around with negative connotations. I'm want to argue that the only reason why it becomes a problem is your dev processes not the code itself. Not all code is created equal. Some parts of a software system are critical to its core functionality and performance. Any technical debt here is indeed risky - granted. However, there's a lot of code that, while essential, is not mission-critical. Things like background jobs, local dev tools, or internal reporting systems. Here we can often find some technical debt, but the impact is limited. The key is understanding the difference between high-impact and low-impact code. These pieces of code might make lives easier and believe it or not - might be easier to manage than modern tech stacks. If the risk is low then why poke it? Not all code has to be throwaway - no matter what the modern dev philosophies tell you. - Code vs. build - Complex build pipelines, messed up dependencies, and outdated infrastructure can make refactoring a nightmare. This is where the real damage of technical debt lies – not in the code, but in the process! Instead of a blanket condemnation of technical debt, I'd argue we should rather learn to manage it effectively. This includes prioritizing improvements based on achieved value, their impact, investing in streamlining development processes, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. Let's focus on creating value! Will refactoring actually make anything better or will just tick the box? Is the current solution a real risk or just risk on someones excel sheet? Is the code serving its purpose? If not then perhaps we shouldn't refactor it, perhaps we should just retire it? If we look at technical debt as a tool, not as a curse it can even accelerate development. But like any tool - it does need a great skills to master. Should we rather try to eliminate technical debt or learn to manage it effectively?

Read two great posts where the author reflects on the topic of Competence Debt. Competence Debt which means “The gap between what is in your codebase and how much of it you understand,” and further explains, “Competence debt is about how well the developers ‘know’ the system.” I’d add that this applies to all team, not just developers. “”” Technical debt and competence debt feed each other. As tech debt grows, developers tend to become less motivated in learning how the system works. It is simply too frustrating. When developers have a poor knowledge of a system they will be more likely to add tech debt when changing it. (…) When software development is rushed, both types of debt will grow. Technical debt grows when things like refactoring get scoped out. Competence debt grows since you will tend to let the developer that knows an area best make all the changes to it. """ Even though this was written over 10 years ago, we can supplement it with the latest survey results: "Technical debt is the top frustration at work for professional developers according to 63% of respondents, regardless of whether they are an individual contributor or a people manager. " https://lnkd.in/dMABbj6m There’s so much more to mention, so I’ll simply share the links to the posts: 1. https://lnkd.in/d2S5DVVp 2. https://lnkd.in/djHv_CuW Niklas Björnerstedt, Thanks for writing these posts. They’re still really relevant today, and I found them super thought-provoking.

Technical debt vs bad code. Code can be considered "bad" for various reasons, including being hard to read, not following coding standards, lacking proper documentation, or being inefficient. The key distinction is the element of awareness. Writing "bad code" might happen unintentionally, perhaps due to time constraints, lack of understanding, or external pressures. Technical debt, on the other hand, involves a conscious decision to take shortcuts or compromise on code quality. This awareness could stem from the need to meet tight deadlines, deliver features quickly, or address other business priorities. While incurring technical debt can be a pragmatic decision, it's crucial to manage it effectively. Teams should be aware of their technical debt, have strategies for paying it off, and ensure that it doesn't accumulate to the point where it hinders productivity and innovation. If you're writing bad code with no intention of cleaning it up and calling it tech debt, it isn't, it's just bad code. Call a spade, a spade, call crappy code, crappy code. #WardCunningham We hit deadlines, technical debt is sometimes required but we always pay it off. Check us out! https://lnkd.in/eh83TunJ

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 Technical debt occurs when teams prioritize quick solutions over long-term stability, leading to issues like messy code, outdated libraries, and unresolved bugs. While it can be a strategic choice to meet deadlines, ignoring it for too long increases maintenance costs and slows future development, just like accumulating interest on financial debt. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 Technical debt can manifest in several forms—unoptimized code, outdated libraries, lack of documentation, or unaddressed bugs. It arises when development teams choose speed over a more sustainable, well-engineered solution. The decision to incur technical debt might be strategic, especially in high-pressure environments where delivering a product quickly is essential. However, the longer it remains unmanaged, the more costly it becomes to address. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒃𝒕, 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒃𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔 "𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕". 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 When technical debt is ignored, the impact on software systems becomes increasingly problematic. Slower performance, reduced flexibility, and difficulty in scaling systems are common consequences. Teams may spend excessive time fixing bugs and maintaining fragile code rather than focusing on value-driven features. Moreover, high levels of technical debt can affect team morale, as developers become frustrated with the ongoing struggle to work within a messy codebase. For companies, this results in higher operational costs, delayed product updates, and potentially a loss of competitive edge. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 Managing technical debt requires a proactive and continuous approach. The key strategies include: 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘𝒔: Establish a culture of frequent, thorough code reviews to identify potential areas of technical debt early. Allocate Time for Refactoring: Ensure that each development cycle includes time to address and reduce technical debt through refactoring and code optimization. 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒃𝒕: Not all technical debt needs to be tackled immediately. Prioritize addressing debt that has the most impact on performance and scalability. 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔: Encourage cross-functional collaboration between developers, product managers, and stakeholders to balance feature development with long-term technical sustainability. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 By proactively addressing it, Investing in this effort ensures that short-term gains do not lead to long-term setbacks. #TechnicalDebt #TechStrategy #ContinuousImprovement #ProductivityBoost

🌟 Have you dived into the realm of technical debt in software development? It's like taking shortcuts that come back to haunt you later. Let's explore this intriguing concept together! 🏗️ Picture this: Rushing to build a house with lower-quality materials to meet a deadline. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Just like in software development, these decisions may lead to long-term consequences that demand future renovations and improvements. 🛠️ From intentional tech debt to environmental debt, there are various forms and consequences to consider. What type of technical debt have you encountered in your projects, and how did you manage it? 🔍 Let's unravel a metaphor: Ignoring routine maintenance tasks in software development is akin to neglecting small leaks in a house. Both scenarios can escalate into major issues if not addressed promptly. What do you think about this comparison? Share your insights! 📊 Discover the impact of technical debt on businesses—from dissatisfied users to potential security risks. How do you tackle technical debt in your organization to ensure long-term success and sustainability? 💡 As we navigate the intricate world of software development, staying mindful of tech debt and implementing best practices is key. Let's spark a discussion on effective strategies to handle technical debt and enhance project outcomes! 🤔 What's your perspective on technical debt and its implications? Share your thoughts, experiences, and insights on managing tech debt effectively in the ever-evolving landscape of software development. https://lnkd.in/ggXPx2AF

"Technical Debt: Who's Really to Blame?" According to the Stack Overflow 2024 report, 62% of developers identify technical debt as their most frustrating problem. So, who’s the real villain here? Should we point the finger at past developers who perhaps didn’t think about scalability, reliability, or writing enough tests? Or are today’s developers just lazy folks looking for shortcuts and simple solutions? 🤔 Let's clear this up: Technical debt is NOT just about bad code. Equating tech debt to sloppy programming allows us to make some terrible assumptions. It’s easy to blame previous developers and think, “Wow, they must have really sucked.” But, surprise. Often there’s a hidden constraint that explains those "ugly" parts of the code, and guess what? It’s the same constraint that’s going to stop your genius refactor plan dead in its tracks. Sometimes I found this the hard way. We had to go back and have a different approach of some technical staffs. Technical debt isn't always about terrible code. It’s also about context. Sometimes, the constraints are business rules, compliance regulations, or just real-world limits we don’t see. And thinking "if we just write good code, we'll never have tech debt" is equally naive. Writing good code is great, but tech debt also includes documenting, testing, and revisiting the code over time. It's not just a one-and-done thing. Ever seen engineers get all excited about "tech debt week"? They get to chase down their pet peeves and refactor code to fit their personal style. But after all that effort, is the code actually easier to maintain? Often, the answer is no. There have been many times when I've had to rethink or redesign an approach because the original solution, although clever, was just too complex to maintain. And if you decide to refactor, make sure to update the documentation! Otherwise, no one besides the person who did the refactor will have any clue how the code works anymore. 🤦♂️ So, how do we actually tackle technical debt? We need to measure the maintenance load—how much time and effort are we spending on things that aren't adding or removing features? If half of our team’s work is maintenance, then our feature plan should only assume the other half is doing productive work. When you frame it like this, business folks will start paying attention. And here’s some final advice: Don’t sweep everything under the vague label of “tech debt” and then ask for a couple of weeks to handle it all at once. Instead, identify what specific parts of the system are making development harder, measure them, and negotiate their completion as individual tasks with clear outcomes. This approach makes it more likely that the work gets done and ensures that maintenance efforts will improve development speed in the future. 🚀 Remember, maintenance is an investment in our ability to build impactful features. Let’s start treating it like one.

It turns out that technical debt can affect the company's finances, not just the code! Excellent tips for utilising TDR to quantify the mess. It's time to clean up!