Efficient organizations are typically KPI/metric-driven to a significant degree. Technology investments have to be translatable into business benefits, typically within 1 year horizon.
However, all code rots, with cruft and technical debt gradually accumulating within the codebase, necessitating refactoring and other maintenance that is bound to consume time and scarce resources. How can one demonstrate the necessity of such investment against competing priorities?
An analogy that comes to mind is engine oil changes. We spend time and money on them even though there's no direct, near-term proof that they are necessary. We essentially believe in their necessity because the experts tell us so. If we wait until the car starts showing signs of trouble, then it is probably too late and the repair will be far more expensive than an oil change.
So while managing technical debt is important, it is difficult to attach metrics to it that reliably demonstrate near-term benefits to business. Allocation of sufficient resources for it is then essentially a matter of trust between business and technology organizations.
However, all code rots, with cruft and technical debt gradually accumulating within the codebase, necessitating refactoring and other maintenance that is bound to consume time and scarce resources. How can one demonstrate the necessity of such investment against competing priorities?
An analogy that comes to mind is engine oil changes. We spend time and money on them even though there's no direct, near-term proof that they are necessary. We essentially believe in their necessity because the experts tell us so. If we wait until the car starts showing signs of trouble, then it is probably too late and the repair will be far more expensive than an oil change.
So while managing technical debt is important, it is difficult to attach metrics to it that reliably demonstrate near-term benefits to business. Allocation of sufficient resources for it is then essentially a matter of trust between business and technology organizations.
