| Understanding Drivers of Technical Debt by Factors that Cause Reductions to Innovation within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Sequential Study, by Dr. Wally Potts.
This study investigates the persistent issue of technical debt within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This debt has led to outages, security vulnerabilities, and service instability, drawing criticism from the media, Congress, and the veteran community—the research aimed to understand technical debt from the perspective of the technical teams maintaining VA systems. The study used an exploratory sequential design, beginning with identifying common industry beliefs about the persistence of technical debt and the specific areas within organizations that contribute to it. Through focus team interviews with VA technical staff, the research found that technical debt persists primarily because it is hidden and reinforced by internal cultural practices, such as process and documentation debt. The study then cross-referenced participants’ perceptions with institutional data, confirming that these cultural practices are a significant factor in sustaining technical debt. The mixed-methods findings highlight the alignment between the qualitative feedback and institutional data, emphasizing the role of hidden technical debt and cultural practices in its persistence. The study concludes with three key recommendations: improving documentation to reduce technical debt, implementing interim steps to mitigate process debt, and enhancing access to existing funds by clarifying the procedures related to different funding sources. To read this paper, click here. |
