---
title: "Zero Tech Debt: How to Build an Engineering Culture of No Deferred Work at DevFestMN (2024)"
source: "/speaks/zero-tech-debt-how-to-devfestmn-december-2024/"
---

Speech

# Zero Tech Debt: How to Build an Engineering Culture of No Deferred Work

Matt Schraan & Sam Kirchmeier

December 7, 2024

## About the talk

When allowed to swell without restraint, technical debt can cripple product development efforts. On the other hand, over-obsession with future technical concerns can likewise hinder a product team's velocity. When you are at a startup, or any other organization that cares about speed-to-market, proper management of technical debt is vital. The truth is, technical debt is less often the result of individual incompetence and more often the result of the engineering culture from which it was allowed to spread. For a startup, setting that engineering culture to foster sustained success is critical. In this session, we'll dive into the practical habits and norms of engineering teams that don't defer work, avoid technical debt, and hold each other accountable to high standards. With the right culture, you can actually make it easy to uphold best practices across your engineering team - whether you are at a startup or an enterprise. Join this session to learn how!

## Presented by

Matt Schraan

VP, Product Management

[More from Matt](/team/matt-schraan/)

Matt Schraan

Sam Kirchmeier

VP, Engineering

[More from Sam](/team/sam-kirchmeier/)

Sam Kirchmeier

## About Livefront

Livefront builds intelligent products, platforms, and agents for the world's most admired companies. Partner with us to move faster, think bigger, and drive material business outcomes with AI.

### Tags

[Digital Engineering](/insights/all/?topic=digital-engineering) [Strategy & Product](/insights/all/?topic=strategy-product)

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