Answer

Though often overlooked, debts are an essential Flow Item that improves future delivery by addressing technical debt or implementing processes to improve ways of working.

A focus on debt provides future dividends in the form of increased Flow Velocity® and decreased Flow Time.

Examples of Debt

• Refactoring a software component
• Upgrading to an improved IDE or tool to improve productivity
• Changing a process, for example automating CAB approvals or implementing self-service performance testing

Debt is not unresolved defects (quality improvements) or risks (protection of business value).