The Technical Debt Trap

This is a version of the talk given at Dev Bootcamp in Chicago.

Technical Debt has become a catch-all phrase for any code that needs to be re-worked. Much like Refactoring has become a catch-all phrase for any activity that involves changing code. These fundamental misunderstandings and comfortable yet mis-applied metaphors have resulted in a plethora of poor decisions. What is technical debt? What is not technical debt? Why should we care? What is the cost of misunderstanding? What do we do about it? Doc discusses the origins of the metaphor, what it means today, and how we properly identify and manage technical debt.

Transcript

1. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   The
   technical Debt
   Trap
   

   View Slide

2. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   Doc Norton, CEO
   doc@wearecto2.com
   @DocOnDev
   

   View Slide

3. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   what is technical debt?
   

   View Slide

4. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   – Ward Cunningham
   OOPSLA ‘92
   Shipping first time code is like
   going into debt.
   

   View Slide

5. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   Shipping first time code is like
   going into debt. A little debt
   speeds development so long as
   it is paid back promptly with a
   rewrite.
   – Ward Cunningham
   OOPSLA ‘92
   

   View Slide

6. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   Shipping first time code is like
   going into debt. A little debt
   speeds development so long as
   it is paid back promptly with a
   rewrite.
   The danger occurs when the
   debt is not repaid. Every minute
   spent on not-quite-right code
   counts as interest on that debt. – Ward Cunningham
   OOPSLA ‘92
   

   View Slide

7. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   The danger occurs
   when the debt is not
   repaid. Every minute
   spent on not-quite-
   right code counts as
   interest on that debt. – Ward Cunningham
   OOPSLA ‘92
   

   View Slide

8. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   The danger occurs
   when the debt is not
   repaid. Every minute
   spent on not-quite-
   right code counts as
   interest on that debt. – Ward Cunningham
   OOPSLA ‘92
   

   View Slide

9. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
   Technical debt is
   

   View Slide

10. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical debt is
    good
    

    View Slide

11. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical debt is good
    

    View Slide

12. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical debt is
    good
    

    View Slide

13. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical debt is
    a strategic decision
    

    View Slide

14. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical debt is
    a strategic decision
    • Allow for Rapid Delivery
    • To Elicit Quick Feedback
    • And Correct Design
    

    View Slide

15. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt is
    an indication of learning
    

    View Slide

16. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt is
    an indication of learning
    • Now know what you need
    • Implementation doesn’t match
    

    View Slide

17. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt is a metaphor
    

    View Slide

18. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    metaphors rock
    we reason by analogy
    Building on a
    weak foundation
    Puts pressure on our design
    Can’t keep running at this pace
    It’s raining men
    (hallelujah)
    

    View Slide

19. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    metaphorphosis
    when metaphors go wrong
    Credit Card
    SHORT-TERM
    Long-Term
    Return on
    Investment
    OPERATIONAL
    HOME LOAN
    Loan Shark
    PRAGMATIC
    LEVERAGE
    Intentional
    AUTO LOAN
    FRAUDULENT
    VOLUNTARY
    PYRAMID SCHEME
    Prudent
    Student Loan
    HIGH INTEREST
    INADVERTENT
    RECKLESS DEBT IN
    THE THIRD
    QUADRANT
    

    View Slide

20. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    metaphorphosis
    when metaphors go wrong
    “quick and dirty”
    - Martin Fowler
    “sloppy”
    - David Laribee
    “just hack it in”
    - Steve McConnell
    “CUT A LOT OF CORNERS”
    - James Shore
    

    View Slide

21. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “We must ship now and
    deal with
    consequences”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    

    View Slide

22. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    – Ward Cunningham
    Youtube ‘09
    [Many] have explained
    the debt metaphor and
    confused it with the
    idea that you could
    write code poorly with
    the intention of doing a
    good job later.
    

    View Slide

23. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    – Ward Cunningham
    Youtube ‘09
    confused the
    debt metaphor
    with the idea that
    you could write
    code poorly
    

    View Slide

24. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    – Ward Cunningham
    Youtube ‘09
    The ability to pay back
    debt [...] depends upon
    you writing code that is
    clean enough to be
    able to refactor as you
    come to understand
    your problem.
    

    View Slide

25. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    – Ward Cunningham
    Youtube ‘09
    The ability to pay back
    debt [...] depends upon
    you writing code that is
    clean enough to be
    able to refactor as you
    come to understand
    your problem.
    

    View Slide

26. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    – Ward Cunningham
    twitter ‘09
    Dirty code is to
    technical debt as the
    pawn broker is to
    financial debt.
    

    View Slide

27. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    – Ward Cunningham
    twitter ‘09
    Dirty code is to
    technical debt as the
    pawn broker is to
    financial debt.
    Don’t think you are
    ever going to get your
    code back.
    

    View Slide

28. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt?
    Ask yourself…
    

    View Slide

29. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt?
    Ask yourself…
    • Is the code clean?
    • Is the code tested?
    • Is there a learning objective or event?
    • Is there a plan for payback?
    • Is the business truly informed?
    

    View Slide

30. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt?
    If you say no to even one…
    • Is the code clean?
    • Is the code tested?
    • Is there a learning objective or event?
    • Is there a plan for payback?
    • Is the business truly informed?
    

    View Slide

31. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt?
    If you say no to even one…
    • Is the code clean?
    • Is the code tested?
    • Is there a learning objective or event?
    • Is there a plan for payback?
    • Is the business truly informed?
    ... then you don’t have Technical Debt
    

    View Slide

32. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    mess (noun)
    

    View Slide

33. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    mess (noun)
    • Disorderly accumulation, heap, or jumble
    • A state of embarrassing confusion
    • An unpleasant or difficult situation
    

    View Slide

34. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    cruft (noun)
    

    View Slide

35. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    cruft (noun)
    • An unpleasant substance
    • The result of shoddy construction
    • Redundant, old or improperly written code
    

    View Slide

36. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    But, It’s Just
    semantics
    

    View Slide

37. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    It’s not Just
    semantics
    

    View Slide

38. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    It’s not Just
    semantics
    Technical Debt is Good
    

    View Slide

39. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    It’s not Just
    semantics
    Technical Debt is Good
    Quick and Dirty is Technical Debt
    

    View Slide

40. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    It’s not Just
    semantics
    Quick and Dirty is Good
    

    View Slide

41. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    It’s not Just
    semantics
    Quick and Dirty is Good
    

    View Slide

42. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “We must ship now and
    deal with
    consequences”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    

    View Slide

43. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “Let’s deploy and
    gather more
    information”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    

    View Slide

44. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

45. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

46. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical Debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

47. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Technical Debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

48. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

49. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    RECKLESS AND DELIBERATE
    technical debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

50. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    RECKLESS AND DELIBERATE
    RECKLESS AND DELIBERATE
    technical debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

51. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    RECKLESS AND DELIBERATE
    RECKLESS AND DELIBERATE
    RECKLESS AND INADVERTENT
    technical debt in other fields
    

    View Slide

52. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “Let’s deploy and
    gather more
    information”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    

    View Slide

53. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “Let’s deploy and
    gather more
    information”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    IRRESPONSIBLE
    

    View Slide

54. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “Let’s deploy and
    gather more
    information”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    IRRESPONSIBLE
    INCOMPETENT
    

    View Slide

55. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    technical debt quadrant
    Reckless
    Inadvertent
    Prudent
    Deliberate
    “We don’t have time
    for design”
    “Let’s deploy and
    gather more
    information”
    “Now we know how we
    should have done it”
    “What’s Layering?”
    IRRESPONSIBLE
    INCOMPETENT
    TECHNICAL
    DEBT
    

    View Slide

56. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    cruft or debt?
    

    View Slide

57. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    DataSet aDs, qDs;
    aDs = _dbConnector.UpdateAgentList();
    qDs = _dbConnector.GetQueueList();
    foreach (DataTable aTable in aDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow aRow in aTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn aColumn in aTable.Columns) {
    DataSet asDs = _dbConnector.GetAgentSkills(aRow[aColumn].ToString());//AgentId
    foreach (DataTable asTable in asDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow asRow in asTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn asColumn in asTable.Columns) {
    foreach (DataTable qTable in qDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow qRow in qTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn qColumn in qTable.Columns) {
    DataSet sqDs = _dbConnector.GetSkillsForQueue(qRow[qColumn].ToString());
    foreach (DataTable sqTable in sqDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow sqRow in sqTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn sqColumn in sqTable.Columns) {
    foreach (string skill in sqRow[sqColumn].ToString().Split(paramDelimStr)) {
    if (skill == asRow[asColumn].ToString()) {
    try {
    _dbConnector.SetAgentQueueSkill(aRow[aColumn].ToString(),
    qRow[qColumn].ToString(),
    skill);
    }
    catch { continue; }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    cruft or debt?
    

    View Slide

58. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    DataSet aDs, qDs;
    aDs = _dbConnector.UpdateAgentList();
    qDs = _dbConnector.GetQueueList();
    foreach (DataTable aTable in aDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow aRow in aTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn aColumn in aTable.Columns) {
    DataSet asDs = _dbConnector.GetAgentSkills(aRow[aColumn].ToString());//AgentId
    foreach (DataTable asTable in asDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow asRow in asTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn asColumn in asTable.Columns) {
    foreach (DataTable qTable in qDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow qRow in qTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn qColumn in qTable.Columns) {
    DataSet sqDs = _dbConnector.GetSkillsForQueue(qRow[qColumn].ToString());
    foreach (DataTable sqTable in sqDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow sqRow in sqTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn sqColumn in sqTable.Columns) {
    foreach (string skill in sqRow[sqColumn].ToString().Split(paramDelimStr)) {
    if (skill == asRow[asColumn].ToString()) {
    try {
    _dbConnector.SetAgentQueueSkill(aRow[aColumn].ToString(),
    qRow[qColumn].ToString(),
    skill);
    }
    catch { continue; }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    

    View Slide

59. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    DataSet aDs, qDs;
    aDs = _dbConnector.UpdateAgentList();
    qDs = _dbConnector.GetQueueList();
    foreach (DataTable aTable in aDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow aRow in aTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn aColumn in aTable.Columns) {
    DataSet asDs = _dbConnector.GetAgentSkills(aRow[aColumn].ToString());//AgentId
    foreach (DataTable asTable in asDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow asRow in asTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn asColumn in asTable.Columns) {
    foreach (DataTable qTable in qDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow qRow in qTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn qColumn in qTable.Columns) {
    DataSet sqDs = _dbConnector.GetSkillsForQueue(qRow[qColumn].ToString());
    foreach (DataTable sqTable in sqDs.Tables) {
    foreach (DataRow sqRow in sqTable.Rows) {
    foreach (DataColumn sqColumn in sqTable.Columns) {
    foreach (string skill in sqRow[sqColumn].ToString().Split(paramDelimStr)) {
    if (skill == asRow[asColumn].ToString()) {
    try {
    _dbConnector.SetAgentQueueSkill(aRow[aColumn].ToString(),
    qRow[qColumn].ToString(),
    skill);
    }
    catch { continue; }
    }
    } } } } } } } } } } } } }
    

    View Slide

60. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    DataSet aDs, qDs, asDs, sqDs;
    aDs = _dbConnector.UpdateAgentList();
    qDs = _dbConnector.GetQueueList();
    foreach (DataRow aRow in aDS.Tables[0].Rows) {
    String agentID = aRow[“AgentId”].ToString();
    asDs = _dbConnector.GetAgentSkills(agentID);
    foreach (DataRow asRow in asDs.Tables[0].Rows) {
    String agentSkill = asRow[“Skill”].ToString();
    foreach (DataRow qRow in qDs.Tables[0].Rows) {
    queueName = qRow[“QueueName”].ToString();
    sqDs = _dbConnector.GetSkillsForQueue(queueName);
    foreach (DataRow sqRow in sqDs.Tables[0].Rows) {
    foreach (string skill in sqRow[“Skills”].ToString().Split(paramDelimStr)) {
    if (skill == agentSkill) {
    try { _dbConnector.SetAgentQueueSkill(agentID, queueName, skill); }
    catch { continue; }
    } } } } } }
    

    View Slide

61. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    AgentList agents = new AgentList(_dbConnector.UpdateAgentList());
    QueueList queues = new QueueList(_dbConnector.GetQueueList());
    foreach (Agent agent in agents) {
    foreach (Skill agentSkill in agent.skills) {
    foreach (Queue queue in queues) {
    foreach (Skill queueSkill in queue.skills.Where(x => x == agentSkill)) {
    try {_dbConnector.SetAgentQueueSkill(agent.agentID, queue.name, agentSkill); }
    catch { continue; }
    }
    }
    }
    }
    

    View Slide

62. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    

    View Slide

63. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    if ((customer.state == “AL” && customer.type ==
    CustomerType.GENERAL_AGENT && customer.revenue > 100000)
    || (customer.type == CustomerType.RETRO_AGENT &&
    (customer.state == “WI” || customer.state == “IL”))
    || (customer.type == CustomerType.FED_MANAGEMENT &&
    customer.revenue > 150000)) { ... }
    cruft or debt?
    

    View Slide

64. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    // If customer is Federally Regulated
    if ((customer.state == “AL” && customer.type ==
    CustomerType.GENERAL_AGENT && customer.revenue > 100000)
    || (customer.type == CustomerType.RETRO_AGENT &&
    (customer.state == “WI” || customer.state == “IL”))
    || (customer.type == CustomerType.FED_MANAGEMENT &&
    customer.revenue > 150000)) { ... }
    

    View Slide

65. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    if (customer.isFederallyRegulated()) { ... }
    

    View Slide

66. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    double getSpeed() {
    switch (_type) {
    case EUROPEAN:
    return getBaseSpeed();
    case AFRICAN:
    return getBaseSpeed() - getLoadFactor() * _numberOfCoconuts;
    case NORWEGIAN_BLUE:
    return (_isNailed) ? 0 : getBaseSpeed(_voltage);
    }
    throw new RuntimeException ("Should be unreachable");
    }
    http://www.refactoring.com/catalog/replaceConditionalWithPolymorphism.html
    cruft or debt?
    

    View Slide

67. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    class Swallow ...
    double getSpeed() { return getBaseSpeed(); }
    end class
    class EuropeanSwallow ...
    end class
    class AfricanSwallow ...
    double getSpeed() { return super.getSpeed - coconutLoad(); }
    double coconutLoad() { return getLoadFactor() * _numberOfCoconuts; }
    end class
    class NorwegianSwallow ...
    double getSpeed() { return (_isNailed) ? 0 : getBaseSpeed(_voltage); }
    end class
    

    View Slide

68. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    cruft is a bad decision
    

    View Slide

69. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    cruft is a bad decision
    • You are a professional developer
    • You’re going to create unintentional cruft
    • You have to clean up the existing cruft
    

    View Slide

70. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    The Trap
    

    View Slide

71. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    The Trap
    • Precedent for speed over quality
    • Expectation of increased velocity
    • Cruft slows you down
    • Must write more cruft to keep up
    • Ask permission to do your job correctly
    

    View Slide

72. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    failing strategies
    

    View Slide

73. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    failing strategies
    

    View Slide

74. View Slide

75. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    winning strategy
    Clean Constantly
    

    View Slide

76. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    winning strategy
    Clean Constantly
    • Never make an intentional mess
    • Monitor your “Technical Debt”
    • Follow the Boy Scout Rule
    • Remember quality is your responsibility
    

    View Slide

77. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    winning strategy
    Clean Constantly
    • Never make an intentional mess
    • Monitor your “Technical Debt”
    • Follow the Boy Scout Rule
    • Remember quality is your responsibility
    • NEVER ask permission to do your job correctly
    

    View Slide

78. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Monitor your cruft
    

    View Slide

79. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Monitor your cruft
    • Code Coverage
    • Code Complexity
    • Coupling
    • Maintainability
    • Monitor Trends, Not Points
    

    View Slide

80. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    review
    Technical Debt
    Cruft
    

    View Slide

81. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    review
    Technical Debt
    • A strategic design decision
    • Requires business to be informed
    • Includes a pay-back plan
    Cruft
    • Happens
    • Needs to be monitored and cleaned
    • Is NOT Technical Debt
    

    View Slide

82. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    review
    Technical Debt
    • A strategic design decision
    • Requires business to be informed
    • Includes a pay-back plan
    Cruft
    • Happens
    • Needs to be monitored and cleaned
    • Is NOT Technical Debt
    NEVER
    ask
    perm
    issio
    n
    to
    do
    yo
    ur
    jo
    b
    co
    rrectly
    

    View Slide

83. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    comments
    or
    questions?
    Doc Norton, CEO
    doc@wearecto2.com
    @DocOnDev
    

    View Slide

84. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    Thank You!
    Doc Norton, CEO
    doc@wearecto2.com
    @DocOnDev
    

    View Slide

85. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    The
    technical Debt
    Trap
    

    View Slide

86. #DevBootcamp / #TechnicalDebtTrap / @DocOnDev
    • OOPSLA 92 Paper - http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?
    id=157715, http://c2.com/doc/oopsla92.html
    • Ward Cunningham Technical Debt Video - http://
    www.youtube.com/watch?
    v=pqeJFYwnkjE&feature=player_embedded
    • Ward Cunningham Twitter - http://twitter.com/
    WardCunningham/status/3742903303
    • Technical Debt Quadrant - http://martinfowler.com/
    bliki/TechnicalDebtQuadrant.html
    • James Shore - http://jamesshore.com/Blog/
    CardMeeting/Voluntary-Technical-Debt.html
    • Martin Fowler - http://www.martinfowler.com/bliki/
    TechnicalDebt.html
    • David Larabee - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/
    magazine/ee819135.aspx
    • Steve McConnell - http://blogs.construx.com/blogs/
    stevemcc/archive/2007/11/01/technical-debt-2.aspx
    • Jon Stewart - http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/
    JonConfused.gif
    • Cruft Example 1 - http://thedailywtf.com/Series/
    2010/3/CodeSOD.aspx
    • Debt Threshold - http://blog.castsoftware.com/wp-
    content/uploads/2011/04/Technical-Debt-Software-
    Quality1.jpg
    • Hardening Sprints - http://blog.castsoftware.com/wp-
    content/uploads/2011/04/Technical-Debt-Software-
    Quality1.jpg
    

    View Slide