How do you handle tech debt and legacy code in your tech stack?

1 Define and measure tech debt

Tech debt is the difference between the ideal and the actual state of your codebase. It can be intentional or unintentional, and it can have various sources, such as changing requirements, tight deadlines, poor design, or lack of testing. To handle tech debt, you need to define and measure it first. You can use tools like code quality metrics, code reviews, technical audits, or user feedback to identify and quantify tech debt. You can also categorize tech debt by its impact, urgency, and complexity to prioritize and plan your actions.

2 Refactor and update legacy code

Legacy code is code that is outdated, difficult to maintain, or incompatible with newer technologies. It can create technical dependencies, security risks, and performance issues. To handle legacy code, you need to refactor and update it regularly. Refactoring is the process of improving the structure, readability, and maintainability of your code without changing its functionality. Updating is the process of replacing or integrating your code with newer technologies, frameworks, or libraries. You can use tools like automated testing, version control, and documentation to support your refactoring and updating efforts.

3 Adopt a preventive and iterative approach

Tech debt and legacy code are not problems that can be solved once and for all. They are dynamic and evolving phenomena that require constant attention and improvement. To handle them, you need to adopt a preventive and iterative approach. Preventive means that you try to avoid or minimize tech debt and legacy code by following coding standards, best practices, and design principles. Iterative means that you try to address tech debt and legacy code incrementally and continuously by allocating time, resources, and budget for them in your development cycles.

4 Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders

Tech debt and legacy code are not only technical issues. They are also business and organizational issues that affect your product value, user satisfaction, and team morale. To handle them, you need to communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders, such as clients, users, managers, and developers. Communication means that you explain the causes, consequences, and benefits of tech debt and legacy code, and that you align your expectations and goals with your stakeholders. Collaboration means that you involve your stakeholders in your decision-making and feedback processes, and that you share your responsibilities and accountability for tech debt and legacy code.

5 Learn and improve from your experience

Tech debt and legacy code are not only challenges. They are also opportunities to learn and improve your skills, processes, and products. To handle them, you need to learn and improve from your experience. Learning means that you analyze and document your tech debt and legacy code, and that you identify and apply the lessons learned from them. Improving means that you monitor and evaluate your tech debt and legacy code, and that you implement and measure the changes and improvements that you make.

Handling tech debt and legacy code in your tech stack is not easy, but it is possible and rewarding. By following these tips and best practices, you can manage and reduce tech debt and legacy code effectively, and enhance your product quality, security, and performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?