A Guide to Reducing Tech Debt in 2024

By Sunil Thomas, SVP of SLED East 

Organizations are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and growth by using the latest technology. However, when organizations rush to adopt new technologies, they may accumulate “tech debt,” which refers to the trade-offs made during the development process that can lead to poor solutions. This can hinder future progress and add hidden costs to the organization. 

SDI Presence understands the importance of managing tech debt to ensure long-term success for our clients. We’ll explore strategies to reduce tech debt in 2024 effectively. 

Conduct a Comprehensive Tech Debt Assessment 

To address tech debt, it’s essential first to understand its extent and impact within your organization. Conduct a thorough assessment of your current technology landscape, identifying areas where outdated systems, inefficient processes, or legacy code may be causing bottlenecks. This assessment will serve as the foundation for creating a targeted and effective tech debt reduction plan. 

Prioritize Tech Debt Reduction Initiatives 

Not all tech debt is created equal. Once you’ve identified areas of concern, prioritize them based on their impact on your organization’s goals, customer satisfaction, and overall efficiency. Prioritizing tech debt reduction initiatives ensures that you allocate resources to address the most critical issues first, preventing further complications down the line. 

Embrace Modernization and Automation 

Evaluate your existing systems and processes to identify opportunities for modernization and automation. Embracing leading technologies, cloud solutions, and automation tools can significantly reduce tech debt by streamlining operations and improving overall system reliability. 

Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement 

Reducing tech debt is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment. Foster a culture of continuous improvement within your organization, encouraging teams to regularly revisit and optimize existing systems. Establishing agile development practices and promoting open communication will empower your teams to address tech debt as part of their daily workflow. 

SDI’s Methodology for Application Rationalization 

• Identify Needs and Conduct Readiness Assessment 

• • Conduct a readiness assessment by identifying requirements and developing a questionnaire to gather relevant information. 

• Inventory Applications 

• • Send out the questionnaire to relevant stakeholders and validate their responses. 

• • Create an application onboarding process based on the gathered information. 

• Assess Business Value & Technical Fit 

• • Review questionnaire responses to determine business value and technical fit. 

• • Identify application dependencies and duplication. 

• Assess Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) 

• • Determine the current-state TCO of applications. 

• • Identify any cost outliers. 

• Core Applications 

• • Develop a scoring methodology to evaluate applications. 

• • Review application scores and engage with program offices. 

• Determine Application Placement 

• • Group applications based on their scores. 

• • Assess the future-state requirements. 

• • Analyze hosting alternatives and develop a migration strategy.  

At SDI, we’re committed to helping our clients navigate the future by minimizing tech debt and unlocking the full potential of their technological investments. Contact us today to discover how our managed services can help you navigate the complexities of technology, reduce tech debt, and propel your organization forward.