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).