Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice
• SEI Report
Publisher
IEEE
Topic or Tag
Abstract
This article discusses the technical debt metaphor and considers it beyond a "rhetorical concept." Tackling technical debt requires an awareness of its causes as well as explicit management. One approach to its organization and management is through a common backlog that lists debt-related tasks along with actions for improvement. The article examines the role of decision-making in developmental activities and future changes, as well as the evolution that the software requires. The role of financial models in balancing cost and value is also discussed.
This article was first published in a Special Edition of IEEE Software.
Cite This SEI Report
Kruchten, P., Nord, R., & Ozkaya, I. (2012, November 1). Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/technical-debt-from-metaphor-to-theory-and-practice/.
@techreport{kruchten_2012,
author={Kruchten, Philippe and Nord, Robert and Ozkaya, Ipek},
title={Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice},
month={Nov},
year={2012},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/technical-debt-from-metaphor-to-theory-and-practice/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Aug-18}
}
Kruchten, Philippe, Robert Nord, and Ipek Ozkaya. "Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. IEEE, November 1, 2012. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/technical-debt-from-metaphor-to-theory-and-practice/.
P. Kruchten, R. Nord, and I. Ozkaya, "Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. IEEE, 1-Nov-2012 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/technical-debt-from-metaphor-to-theory-and-practice/. [Accessed: 18-Aug-2026].
Kruchten, Philippe, Robert Nord, and Ipek Ozkaya. "Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, IEEE, 1 Nov. 2012. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/technical-debt-from-metaphor-to-theory-and-practice/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
Kruchten, Philippe; Nord, Robert; & Ozkaya, Ipek. Technical Debt: From Metaphor to Theory and Practice. IEEE. 2012. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/technical-debt-from-metaphor-to-theory-and-practice/