What is ‘Dark Debt’? Eliminating ‘Dark Debt’ in IT: A Comprehensive Guide

Dark debt is a term used to describe the accumulation of technical debt that has not been properly documented or addressed by an organisation. Technical debt is a concept in software development that refers to the cost of using shortcuts or quick fixes in the development process in order to meet deadlines or address urgent issues. These shortcuts can include using outdated or poorly-designed code, skipping important testing or documentation, or taking on additional complexity in the codebase without properly addressing it.

When technical debt is not properly managed, it can quickly accumulate and become a burden on an organisation. This is known as dark debt, as it is hidden or unacknowledged by the organisation. Dark debt can be difficult to track and manage, as it is often not recorded or documented in any central location. This can lead to a situation where the true extent of the technical debt is unknown, making it difficult for an organisation to effectively plan for and address the issue.

There are several ways in which dark debt can occur in an organisation. One common cause is when an organisation does not have a clear process for documenting and addressing technical debt. This can lead to short-term solutions being implemented without a clear plan for how they will be addressed in the long term. Another cause of dark debt can be a lack of resources or time allocated for addressing technical debt. This can lead to issues being put on the back burner, only to be addressed when they become urgent or cause significant problems.

It is important for organisations to be proactive in addressing technical debt, as it can have significant negative impacts on the long-term viability of a project or product. This includes regularly reviewing and documenting technical debt, allocating resources for addressing technical debt, and implementing processes for avoiding the accumulation of technical debt in the future. By properly managing technical debt, organisations can avoid the negative consequences of dark debt and ensure that their products and projects are sustainable in the long run.

How to eliminate Dark Debt?

Eliminating dark debt can be a challenging task, as it requires organisations to identify and address issues that may not have been properly documented or acknowledged. Here are some steps that organisations can take to eliminate dark debt:

• Conduct a technical debt audit: The first step in eliminating dark debt is to identify where it exists within an organisation. This can be done through a technical debt audit, which involves reviewing the codebase, documentation, and processes in place to identify areas where technical debt may be accumulating.
• Document technical debt: Once areas of technical debt have been identified, it is important to document them in a central location. This will allow the organisation to track and prioritise the issues that need to be addressed.
• Allocate resources for addressing technical debt: Eliminating dark debt requires time and resources. It is important for organisations to allocate sufficient resources for addressing technical debt in order to make progress in reducing it.
• Implement processes to prevent the accumulation of technical debt: organisations can prevent the accumulation of technical debt by implementing processes that encourage best practices in software development, such as regularly reviewing and refactoring code and following coding standards.
• Regularly review and address technical debt: Regularly reviewing and addressing technical debt is key to eliminating dark debt. This can be done through a combination of code reviews, automated testing, and other processes that help identify and address technical debt as it arises.

Eliminating dark debt is a continuous process that requires commitment from the entire organisation. By following these steps and implementing processes to prevent the accumulation of technical debt, organisations can effectively address and eliminate dark debt, leading to more sustainable and reliable products and projects.