Scrum Master Toolbox
In this fascinating conversation, veteran software engineer and author Lou Franco shares hard-won lessons from decades at startups, Trello, and Atlassian. Vasco and Lou explore his book Swimming in Tech Debt, diving deep into the 8 Questions framework for evaluating tech debt decisions, personal practices that compound over time, team-level strategies for systematic improvement, and leadership approaches that balance velocity with sustainability. Lou reveals why tech debt is often the result of success, how to navigate the spectrum between ignoring debt and rewriting too much, and practical techniques individuals, teams, and leaders can use starting today.
Coding Chats
Lou Franco discusses the concept of technical debt, its implications for software development, and the importance of quantifying it. He emphasizes that technical debt is not just a financial metaphor but a real issue affecting developer productivity and team dynamics. The discussion also covers the role of managers in understanding and addressing technical debt, the importance of metrics, and the eight questions that can help teams evaluate their technical debt. Additionally, the conversation touches on the impact of AI on technical debt management, highlighting both its potential benefits and challenges.
The Scaling Tech Podcast
In this episode of Scaling Tech, Lou and Arin explore how to manage tech debt effectively through clear team practices, proactive tracking, and essential tools to prevent it.
The CTO Playbook
In this episode, Adam sits down with Lou Franco, author of Swimming in Tech Debt and a veteran software engineer who’s been a founding engineer at three successful startups, a principal engineer at Trello through its Atlassian acquisition, and now an advisor to software teams. They trace his journey from early lessons in fintech and startup acquisitions to the moments that exposed just how costly ignored tech debt can be. Lou shares what he learned from engineers on the ground, how small fixes can deliver outsized productivity gains, and why culture and process matter just as much as code when tackling debt.
SLASOG: Leaders are Readers
In this conversation, Lou Franco discusses his book Swimming in Tech Debt and challenges the traditional metaphor of technical debt. He introduces the concept of resistance in technology, emphasizing the importance of understanding the internal struggles developers face. Lou explores the nuances of legacy code, the significance of developer productivity, and the need for alignment between engineering and business goals. He advocates for a proactive approach to managing tech debt, suggesting that leaders should prioritize simplification and optimization to foster growth. The discussion highlights the value of documenting target architectures and leveraging customer insights to drive innovation.