http://perso.club-internet.fr/cthibaut/refactoring.jpg This is the DesignDebt dynamics roughly sketched in diagram of effects. * Ellipse represents a measured phenomenon. * Clouds represent a measurable, not actually measured phenomenon. * An arrow from A to B means : A increases B. * An arrow with a gray dot means : A decreases B. * Two arrow from A and B joining before C means : A and B have a multiplicative (non-linear) effect on C. * A white square means A effect increasing B effect depends of management action. ''(Source for the diagram notation : QualitySoftwareManagement.)'' In any attempt to describe the DesignDebt to people who are not very familiar with the non-linear sides of software development, the hard part is having the mere existence of such a DesignDebt acknowledged. Other points made in order to resist to or deny the DesignDebt effect include: * Escaping the debt: This change will be the last, so we won't have to recover the debt in the future. * Confusion with TurnOver effect. We'll keep the same people on the work so the debt will not be so high after all. * Borrowing more: We need to get the job done, not the perfect design quality. -- ChristopheThibaut