Technical debt management in the context of agile methods in software development

Author(s)

Graziela Simone Tonin

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME/SBI)
• Defense date: 2018-03-23

Examining board members

Carolyn Seaman; Eduardo Martins Guerra; Damian Abdrew Tamburri; Guilherme Horta Travassos; Xiaofeng Wang

• Advisor: Alfredo Goldman Vel Lejbman; Carolyn Seaman

Abstract

The technical debt field covers an critical problem of software engineering, and this is one of the reasons why this field has received significant attention in recent years. The technical debt metaphor helps developers to think about, and to monitor software quality. The metaphor refers to flaws in software (usually caused by shortcuts to save time) that may affect future maintenance and evolution. It was created by Cunningham to improve the quality of software delivery. Many times the technical debt items are unknown, unmonitored and therefore not managed, thus resulting in high maintenance costs throughout the software life-cycle. We conducted an empirical study in an academic environment, during two offerings of a laboratory course on Extreme Programming (XP Lab) at University of São Paulo and in two Brazilian Software Companies (Company A and B). We analyzed thirteen teams, nine in the Academy and four in the Companies environment. The teams had a comprehensive lecture about technical debt and several ways to identify and manage technical debt were presented. We monitored the teams, performed interviews, did close observations and collected feedback. The obtained results show that the awareness of technical debt influences team behavior. Team members report thinking and discussing more on software quality after becoming aware of technical debt in their projects. We identified some impacts on the teams and the projects after having considered technical debt. A conceptual model for technical debt management was created including ways of how identifying, monitoring, categorizing, measuring, prioritizing, and paying off the technical debt. A few approaches and techniques for the technical debt management, identification, monitoring, measure, and payment are also suggested. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/23470-7 - STUDY OF TECHNICAL DEBT MANAGEMENT, IN THE CONTEXT OF AGILE METHODS OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.
• Grantee: Graziela Simone Tonin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate