IntermediateBehavioral
5 min
Balancing Technical Debt and Delivery
Technical DebtPrioritizationDecision Making
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Interview Question
Describe a time when you had to decide between shipping fast and addressing technical debt. What approach did you take and why?
Key Points to Cover
- Explains trade-offs clearly
- Engages stakeholders for shared decisions
- Implements a sustainable compromise
- Shows metrics to justify prioritization
Evaluation Rubric
Explains trade-offs well30% weight
Collaborates with stakeholders30% weight
Finds sustainable solutions20% weight
Uses metrics to justify actions20% weight
Hints
- 💡Discuss impact on velocity and quality.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- ⚠️Failing to communicate the risks and benefits of both options to non-technical stakeholders.
- ⚠️Making a unilateral decision without consulting product or business teams.
- ⚠️Ignoring technical debt entirely in favor of short-term gains, leading to a critical mass that halts progress.
- ⚠️Over-committing to addressing technical debt without a concrete plan or allocated resources.
- ⚠️Not establishing clear metrics or timelines for addressing the identified technical debt after the initial shipment.
Potential Follow-up Questions
- ❓How did you avoid future debt buildup?
- ❓What process changed afterward?
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