Ever wondered how top leaders minimize tech debt? Insights from a CEO and a founder reveal game-changing strategies. Discover why prioritizing early and consistent documentation is crucial and understand the value of constant code reviews. Join us as we unpack eight expert insights on mastering tech debt reduction.
- Prioritize Early and Consistent Documentation
- Adopt a Tech Refresh Mindset
- Implement a 20% Rule for Tech Debt
- Fix Small Issues During Sprints
- Incorporate Regular Tech Audits
- Set a Tech Debt Budget
- Establish a Tech Debt Backlog
- Conduct Constant Code Reviews
Prioritize Early and Consistent Documentation
Reducing technical debt is something we prioritize early and consistently to keep our systems and processes efficient. One of the first things we do is assess and document areas where shortcuts may have been taken in the past, such as quick fixes or temporary workarounds. This documentation helps us identify where technical debt is likely to build up and lets us address these areas systematically before they become issues. A good example is when we restructured our ticketing system to streamline support requests. Early on, we noticed gaps that led to repetitive tasks, which we tackled by simplifying workflows and automating routine steps.
One effective strategy we use is to build in dedicated “debt reduction” time for the team, even during busy project cycles. Setting aside time to focus solely on resolving legacy issues or inefficient code lets us clear out obstacles that otherwise pile up. In a recent project, we faced issues with recurring bugs that impacted user experience. We scheduled focused sprints for addressing these bugs head-on, which paid off in fewer support calls and better team morale. When technical debt is managed alongside new development, it keeps the project healthier over the long term.
A valuable lesson learned is to involve the entire team in identifying technical debt. Encouraging team members to bring up potential issues they see daily helps us spot problem areas that management alone might miss. Often, the developers closest to the code can identify areas of concern that others don’t see. For example, one of our engineers flagged a performance bottleneck that had gone under the radar, and addressing it early saved us hours of troubleshooting down the line. Tackling technical debt proactively builds a stronger, more resilient foundation for all our projects, allowing us to focus more on future growth.
Elmo Taddeo
CEO, Parachute
Adopt a Tech Refresh Mindset
As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, managing and reducing tech debt has been a critical focus for me, especially as we scale and adopt more advanced technologies. One specific strategy that has worked well for us is prioritizing regular system audits and adopting a “tech refresh” mindset.
A few years ago, we were facing some serious tech debt when our case management software, though functional, became outdated and started limiting our ability to integrate with newer tools. Rather than putting off the necessary upgrade, we set aside time for a comprehensive review of our tech stack and made a clear plan for phasing out legacy systems.
We implemented a more flexible, cloud-based solution that is better aligned with our needs, allowing us to integrate smart contract technology and enhance security. One lesson I learned through this process was not to underestimate the value of planning and budgeting for tech upgrades over time—it’s better to tackle small issues early rather than let them snowball.
This proactive approach helped us significantly reduce tech debt, streamline operations, and ensure that we could continue to innovate without being held back by outdated infrastructure.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Implement a 20% Rule for Tech Debt
Reducing tech debt is all about balancing short-term needs with long-term sustainability. One strategy that has proven effective is prioritizing tech debt as part of the regular development cycle rather than treating it as an afterthought. We implemented a “20% rule,” dedicating 20% of each sprint to addressing tech debt—whether it’s refactoring code, upgrading dependencies, or documenting neglected areas.
One lesson we learned was that not all tech debt is created equal. Early on, we treated all issues with the same urgency, but over time, we developed a scoring system that factored in risk, impact, and cost. For example, fixing a messy codebase in a critical payment system was prioritized over minor inefficiencies in internal tools. This approach helped us tackle the most damaging debt first while maintaining business momentum, leading to fewer outages and a more agile system overall.
Runbo Li
Co-Founder & CEO, Magic Hour
Fix Small Issues During Sprints
Early on, we struggled with bugs taking too long to fix because of messy, outdated code. We made reducing tech debt a priority by cleaning up code during every sprint and catching problems early in reviews. It saved us a lot of trouble later.
One strategy that worked was fixing small issues as we found them. For example, a developer simplified a tricky database query while working on a new feature. These small improvements added up and kept our codebase healthy without slowing us down.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Incorporate Regular Tech Audits
In approaching the reduction of tech debt in my business, I consider it a critical aspect of maintaining our competitive edge in the fashion industry, where technology is increasingly becoming integral to our operations.
One specific strategy that has proven effective is incorporating regular tech audits in our workflows. This means setting aside dedicated time periodically to review our tech stack, including our e-commerce platform, digital design tools, customer relationship management systems, and production software. By doing these tech audits, we can identify obsolete technologies, redundancies, and areas where the current tech solutions are not in alignment with our business processes or growth objectives.
A lesson learned from this approach is that proactive management of tech debt is far more cost-effective than reactive fixes. Once we identified a piece of technology that was holding us back or was due for an update, my team prioritized addressing it before it became a larger issue that could disrupt our operations. We also learned the importance of factoring in the scalability of tech solutions right from the planning stage to minimize future tech debt.
Investing in scalable cloud-based solutions and prioritizing integration capabilities has allowed us to stay agile and responsive to changing market trends. This foresight served us well, especially during times when remote work became the norm, and we had to ensure seamless collaboration across design, production, and sales teams.
It’s about cultivating a culture that acknowledges the importance of regular maintenance and upgrades as part of the business’s routine. This strategic approach to managing tech debt has not only improved our operational efficiency but also empowered us to deliver exceptional value to our clients consistently.
In summary, it’s a combination of regular assessments, planning for scalability, prioritizing integration, and fostering a proactive company culture that has been key in managing tech debt at Amarra. It’s a continuous process, but by making it part of our business planning, we have turned what could be a liability into an opportunity for continual improvement and growth.
Abhi Madan
Co-Founder & Creative Director, Amarra
Set a Tech Debt Budget
Reducing tech debt requires a balance of proactive management, prioritization, and a commitment to sustainable development practices. A key approach is to treat tech debt reduction as a regular part of the development lifecycle rather than as a one-time cleanup effort. One strategy that’s proven effective is implementing a “Tech Debt Budget.”
This approach involves setting aside a portion of each sprint or development cycle specifically to address tech debt. By allocating a “budget,” similar to how resources are allocated for new features or bug fixes, teams ensure that tech debt reduction is a continuous effort rather than an afterthought.
For instance, let’s say a development team designates 10-15% of each sprint to tech debt reduction. This might involve refactoring code, updating dependencies, or improving documentation. During sprint planning, tech debt tasks are treated like any other prioritized item, giving the team clear guidelines and predictable bandwidth to work on debt.
One of the most valuable lessons in this approach is that small, regular reductions in tech debt can prevent major issues down the line. When tech debt accumulates unchecked, it can reach a point where it becomes overwhelming or even paralyzing for the team. By tackling it incrementally, we avoid the need for large-scale “debt sprints” that can disrupt productivity and lead to burnout. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and consistent, manageable steps tend to be more effective and sustainable.
Siddharth Parakh
Sr Engineering Manager, Medable Inc.
Establish a Tech Debt Backlog
Reducing tech debt is essential for maintaining efficiency and innovation. I first identify areas where outdated systems or processes hinder our growth. Regularly reviewing our technology infrastructure helps us pinpoint these issues.
One specific strategy I implemented was establishing a tech debt backlog. This involves creating a prioritized list of technical issues that must be addressed. By involving our IT team, we could assess each item’s impact on our operations. This collaboration fosters ownership and accountability.
A lesson learned from this process is the importance of continuous communication. Keeping all stakeholders informed about tech debt priorities ensures everyone understands the value of these efforts.
During a recent review, we discovered that upgrading our training management system would significantly improve our operations. We allocated resources to this project, resulting in smoother program delivery and enhanced participant feedback.
This experience taught me that addressing tech debt is about fixing problems and empowering our team. By making tech debt a shared priority, we can create a culture that values efficiency and innovation, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our organization.
Fawad langah
Director General, Best Diplomats
Conduct Constant Code Reviews
The most important thing for reducing tech debt is to have constant code reviews to catch potential issues early. In every sprint, we allocate time to refactor code and write test cases to increase test coverage as well. The most important lesson we have learned is that addressing this incrementally prevents larger and costly issues down the road.
Additionally, I ensure that we document technical decisions thoroughly so that future developers can understand the code and reduce misunderstandings. We also use coding tools to identify code that doesn’t meet quality standards.
Barkan Saeed
CEO, Vizteck Solutions
