What is Technology Debt?
The accumulated cost of deferred technology maintenance, upgrades, and modernization.
Technology debt (or tech debt) is the accumulated cost that results from choosing quick, expedient solutions over better, longer-term approaches. In transformation contexts, it manifests as legacy systems that are expensive to maintain, outdated architectures that resist integration, and accumulated shortcuts that slow down new development. Managing tech debt is a critical component of digital transformation — organizations must balance paying down existing debt with investing in new capabilities.
Related terms
Digital Transformation
The fundamental rethinking of how an organization uses technology, people, and processes to drive performance.
Digital Transformation Roadmap
A strategic plan that sequences transformation initiatives over time with clear milestones.
Initiative Prioritization
The systematic process of ranking and sequencing transformation initiatives based on value and feasibility.
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