Technical debt
Understand the causes of technical debt, its impact on web projects, and the steps needed to maintain long-term performance and reliability.
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Technical debt might seem abstract, but its consequences are very real. If you have a website or an application, you are likely affected! Let’s look at why this phenomenon is dangerous and how to protect yourself.
For example: choosing an unreliable tool, neglecting best practices, or ignoring certain updates can lead to unforeseen costs later on.
Contact us to learn more about our solutions tailored to your needs.
What is technical debt?
Technical debt is the accumulation of compromises or quick technical choices made at the start of a project, which end up being costly 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-fix solutions)
- Tight deadlines, pushing for speed over quality
- Lack of regular maintenance after launch
The real-world consequences of technical debt
Here are concrete examples of companies that suffered heavy consequences due to their technical debt:- Southwest Airlines: In 2022, nearly 17,000 flights were cancelled due to an outdated IT system.
- Equifax: A massive data breach in 2017, caused by unpatched software, which cost hundreds of millions of pounds 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?
Hire competent professionals from the start
- Opt for clean, scalable code from day one.
- Anticipate the future needs of the project to avoid nasty surprises.
Implement proactive maintenance
- Perform regular technical audits to anticipate potential issues.
- Allocate about 20% of development time to continuous improvement.
Choose a complete solution including maintenance and evolution
- Avoid hidden costs by choosing an all-in-one package (hosting, maintenance, regular updates).
When does a complete rebuild become essential?
A rebuild becomes necessary when:- Maintenance costs too much or becomes ineffective.
- Your site no longer meets current expectations (features, performance, branding).
What about no-code?
Be careful with no-code solutions: attractive at first, they can hide significant technical debt due to their lack of flexibility. We invite you to read our article dedicated to no-code pitfalls to better understand this phenomenon.Conclusion: take control of your technical debt
Anticipating technical debt is an investment in the longevity of your business. With us, every website starts with virtually zero technical debt thanks to our proactive and scalable approach.Contact us to learn more about our solutions tailored to your needs.
Quick quiz: do you have a handle on technical debt?
What is the best definition of technical debt?
An accumulation of technical issues caused by initial shortcuts
A bank loan specifically for websites
A strategic choice with no long-term consequences
Well done! That's exactly it; technical debt often stems from technical shortcuts taken at the start of a project.
No, technical debt is indeed an accumulation of technical problems caused by quick or neglected choices at the start.
Which company had to cancel thousands of flights due to poorly managed technical debt?
Southwest Airlines
Amazon
Twitter
Exactly! Southwest Airlines suffered from technical debt that paralysed its systems.
Oops, wrong answer. It was Southwest Airlines!
What percentage of working time is recommended to gradually reduce technical debt?
20%
5%
80%
Quite right, dedicating about 20% of time to technical maintenance helps to gradually reduce technical debt.
Missed it! The correct answer is about 20%.
When should you consider a complete rebuild of your site?
When maintenance becomes very expensive or ineffective
When everything is going well
As soon as a competitor changes their site
Good call! A rebuild is necessary when maintenance costs too much or the site no longer meets current needs.
No, a rebuild is relevant when maintenance is too costly or the site becomes ineffective.
Why should you be cautious with no-code solutions?
They can limit future evolution and generate hidden technical debt
They are all free
They pose no technical problems
Correct! The lack of scalability can quickly become problematic.
No, in reality, no-code can lead to hidden technical debt by limiting future developments.
