Technical debt: a silent danger for small businesses
Technical debt may seem abstract, but its consequences are very real. If you have a website or an application, you are likely affected! Let's explore together why this phenomenon is dangerous and how to protect against it.
What is technical debt?
Technical debt is the accumulation of compromises or quick technical choices made at the beginning of a project, which end up costing dearly in the long run.For example: choosing an unreliable tool, neglecting best practices, or ignoring certain updates can lead to unforeseen costs later on.Why do we accumulate technical debt?
- Initial budget constraints (small budget, quick solutions)
- Tight deadlines, pushing to prioritize speed over quality
- Lack of regular maintenance after launch
The real consequences of technical debt
Here are concrete examples of companies that have suffered heavy consequences due to their technical debt:- Southwest Airlines: In 2022, nearly 17,000 flights canceled due to an outdated computer system.
- Equifax: A massive data breach in 2017, due to outdated software, which cost hundreds of millions in repairs and fines.
- Twitter: In its early days, frequent outages due to an undersized infrastructure drove many users away.
How to avoid technical debt?
Engage competent professionals from the start
- Opt from the outset for clean and scalable code.
- Anticipate the future needs of the project to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Implement proactive maintenance
- Regularly conduct technical audits to anticipate potential problems.
- Allocate about 20% of development time to continuous improvement.
Choose a comprehensive solution including maintenance and evolution
- Avoid hidden costs by choosing an all-in-one offer (hosting, maintenance, regular updates).
When does a complete overhaul become essential?
An overhaul becomes necessary when:- Maintenance costs too much or becomes ineffective.
- Your site no longer meets current expectations (features, performance, image).
And no-code, what about that?
Beware of no-code solutions: appealing at first, they can hide significant technical debt due to their lack of flexibility. We invite you to read our article dedicated to the pitfalls of no-code to better understand this phenomenon.Conclusion: take control of your technical debt
Anticipating technical debt is investing in the sustainability of your business. With us, every website starts with almost no technical debt thanks to our proactive and evolving approach.Contact us to learn more about our solutions tailored to your needs.Quick quiz: do you master technical debt? 🚀
What is the best definition of technical debt?
Which company had to cancel thousands of flights due to poorly managed technical debt?
What percentage of work time is recommended to gradually reduce technical debt?
When should you consider a complete overhaul of your site?
Why should you be cautious with no-code solutions?
