Technical Debt
What is Technical Debt and what are 4 proven ways to contain it on your software project.
Technical debt, what does it mean and more importantly, how can it hurt you and what are ways to avoid it. As software systems age, they inevitably grow in both size and complexity. If new features and functions are not designed well and integrated into robust system architecture, the result is an increase in carrying weight for that application. In worst case scenarios, the cost to maintain such systems can become overwhelming and or the ability to maintain and develop them can become next to impossible. While systems that evolve are bound to get more complex, there are many ways to manage your technical debt. Ultimately you want a system that:
· Can be maintained within a consistent budget
· Can withstand staff turnover
· Will grow with you
There are numerous strategies that help you manage technical debt
1. Create a robust system architecture which includes a highly normalized consistent database and a well conceived architecture with documentation.
2. Document naming conventions and make sure they're consistent.
3. Make sure your application is database/data driven, be sure to avoid hard coded security, content, and business rules.
4. Have an ongoing open discussion about technical debt including both the functional technical teams. Those driving requirements need to understand the cost of overly complex requests. Your technical team needs to understand technical debt and have an open discussion about the time it will take to implement features along with the debt such changes will add, offering alternative approaches that may add less debt and lead to a system that is more sustainable.
As more organizations pursue innovation through custom software development, the risks of technical debt increase. Minimize your risk by including experienced system architects and making sure that all the members of your team both functional and technical understand technical debt and work together to minimize its negative impact on long-term sustainability. Education and open communication between are your greatest assets in combating crippling technical debt.
Do you have a story you can share about your experience with technical debt?
Original image credit: Marcin Simonides on Unsplash