Managing Technical Debt in the Midst of Modernization

Technical debt, often underestimated, can slow agility, increase costs, and stall IT modernization. Naresh Duddu, AVP and Global Head – Modernization Practice at Infosys, emphasizes in his article for InformationWeek that managing technical debt must be an ongoing process – woven into IT maintenance routines rather than treated as an afterthought.

Effective strategies for managing tech debt include setting achievable thresholds instead of pursuing zero debt and prioritizing critical issues like security vulnerabilities. The “shift-left” approach, tackling debt early in development, enhances efficiency and reduces risks. The article also highlights integrating technical debt management with modernization efforts, such as managing version debt during cloud migration, to simplify transformations and optimize budgets.

Automation, paired with AI, streamlines debt detection and remediation for faster, more standardized fixes. Addressing the “skill debt” through continuous learning and upskilling ensures teams are equipped to manage current and emerging technologies.

By adopting these strategies, enterprises can create a scalable, resilient IT infrastructure that drives growth, accelerates innovation, and supports long-term success.

Click here to read the article.