Technical debt is the silent killer of innovation. We all rack it up, promising to pay it off “later.” But what happens when “later” turns into never, and your product starts to drift off course?
Imagine your product as the Ship of Theseus, continually changing but aiming to remain the same. The paradox prompts us:
When does replacing too many “planks” (features or code) change the very essence of your “ship”(product)?
Solution:
- Incremental Changes: Tackle one “plank” at a time. It’s easier to manage, and users can adapt.
- Identity Preservation: Determine what makes your product unique and ensure changes don’t dilute this essence.
- Strategic Planning: Identify which “bad planks” can wait and which need immediate replacement.
- Transparency: Keep stakeholders in the loop. No one likes surprise changes.
The Ship of Theseus paradox isn’t just a philosophical musing; it can be a practical framework for balancing innovation and core identity while dealing with a product’s technical debt.
Image Source: Pastillustrator | pastille.no