Understanding technical debt: A CTO's Guide for Startups and SMEs – part 2
Detecting and managing technical debt
Welcome back to the second part of our three-part blog series on technical debt. In our previous post, we laid the groundwork by discussing technical debt and why it matters to your startup or SME. It's time to delve deeper into the practical aspects of detecting and managing this invisible burden.
Identifying technical debt
One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with technical debt is recognising it exists. Senior leaders might not fully grasp the risks associated with it, which can lead to underinvestment when sorting it out.
Here's why this gap in understanding exists.
The silent risks
Technical debt often lurks beneath the surface, hidden deep in the code. Senior leaders may not be well-versed in the intricacies of software development, making it difficult for you to see the red flags. This lack of awareness can result in decisions prioritising short-term gains over long-term stability.
Communication breakdown
Bridging the gap between technical teams and senior leadership is crucial. You aren't adversaries. You're key partners. It requires effective communication that avoids jargon and technicalities. Technical teams need to convey the implications of technical debt in terms of business risks, missed opportunities, and potential future costs. To talk code and development, both parties must have trust and respect for each other, or friction is likely to happen, and before you know it, it's too late to make necessary changes.
Here's what we suggest you ask your technical teams for when communicating about technical debt:
Plain language: Encourage tech teams to avoid jargon and use simple language to explain the impact of technical debt on business outcomes. Ask them to describe how it can slow development and innovation while increasing maintenance costs.
Visual aids: Ask for visual representations like charts or graphs to help senior leaders grasp complex technical concepts. Using visuals to illustrate the growth of technical debt over time and its potential consequences will get the message across.
Demonstrate ROI: Ask them to show how addressing technical debt can have a positive return on investment (ROI). Encourage them to present business impact assessments that compare the cost of managing debt versus the cost of not addressing it.
Prioritising technical debt
Now that we've shared why addressing technical debt is important, the next step is prioritisation. It can be challenging to allocate resources to tackle technical debt without your understanding and support.
As senior leaders of a startup or SME, you must be involved in the prioritisation process. Ask for the information you need to make informed decisions. This can include detailed reports on technical debt, potential business risks, and projected ROI.
When presenting technical debt prioritisation options, emphasis on the impact on the business is key. Asking your teams to present examples that illustrate how addressing specific debt items can lead to improved agility, reduced downtime, and better customer experiences will help you and other senior leaders make informed decisions.
Communication and collaboration
We talk about the power of the two C's a lot at Scryla. But with good reason. Effective communication and collaboration are crucial for senior leaders to understand technical debt risks and for tech teams to get their point across with impact.
Here are some tips to help you bridge that gap between your tech team and senior leaders when mitigating and managing technical debt:
Establish a routine for sharing technical debt updates. This can be through regular meetings or concise reports highlighting progress and challenges.
Encourage collaboration between technical and non-technical teams. When stakeholders from different departments work together, it becomes easier to align goals and priorities.
Encourage a culture of transparency where team members are encouraged to speak up about technical debt concerns. This openness can help catch and address issues early.
Offer training sessions or workshops for senior leaders to increase their understanding of technical debt. This can be an opportunity for them to ask questions and gain hands-on experience.
Addressing technical debt is not just a technical issue; it's a business imperative. To effectively manage technical debt in your startup or SME, it's essential to bridge the gap in understanding between technical teams and senior leadership. Clear communication, engagement, and collaboration are the tools that will help you overcome this challenge.
Stay tuned for our next instalment, where we'll look at practical strategies for reducing technical debt to ensure a healthier, more sustainable software ecosystem.
In the meantime, if you’re struggling with technical debt and need some additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.