Speak both languages.
Tech debt debates go wrong when engineers talk about code and product talks about features. Translate both into customer and business impact.
ENGINEERS SAY
WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE PRODUCT
“The billing code is a mess.”
Billing changes are slow and risky.
“The framework is end-of-life.”
No more security patches from here on.
“Our tests are flaky.”
Releases slip, and bugs reach customers.
“We need to refactor this module.”
Features in this area will keep getting slower.
Same team. Same outcomes.