Technical debt is like financial debt—used wisely, it can accelerate growth. Used poorly, it can sink the entire operation.
Good Debt vs Bad Debt
Intentional shortcuts to hit a market window? That's strategic debt. Accumulated mess from lack of standards? That's pure liability.
Making Debt Visible
You can't manage what you can't see. Track technical debt explicitly and make it part of planning conversations.
Paying It Down
Don't wait for the "big rewrite." Pay down debt continuously, a little at a time, as part of regular development work.
