• Sekar Mylsamy
• Dr. Daksha Borada

Technical debt management and software refactoring represent crucial strategies for maintaining high quality and sustainable codebases in the rapidly evolving field of software development. This study explores the interplay between accumulating technical debt and the systematic process of refactoring code to alleviate its impact. Technical debt, characterized by suboptimal design choices and shortcuts taken during development, often results in increased maintenance costs, reduced agility, and heightened risk of software failure. In contrast, software refactoring involves restructuring existing code without altering its external behavior, thereby improving code readability, maintainability, and performance. Our investigation delves into best practices for identifying and prioritizing technical debt, examining metrics and frameworks that assist development teams in making informed decisions. We analyze common patterns of technical debt accumulation and evaluate refactoring strategies that mitigate adverse effects on long-term project success. Furthermore, the study highlights the challenges faced by organizations in balancing short-term delivery pressures with long-term code quality goals. Through a synthesis of theoretical models and practical case studies, this research offers actionable insights for practitioners seeking to integrate refactoring practices into their technical debt management strategies. The findings underscore the importance of continuous evaluation and proactive intervention to sustain software evolution and enhance system reliability in dynamic development environments. Ultimately, the integration of technical debt management and systematic refactoring is shown to be essential for fostering innovation, reducing costs, and ensuring that software systems remain robust and adaptable amid changing market demands. This holistic approach empowers teams to enhance software products while mitigating future risks.

Technical Debt, Software Refactoring, Code Quality, Maintainability, Agile Development, Risk Management, Software Evolution, Continuous Improvement, Sustainable Coding Practices, Legacy Code Management

"Technical Debt Management and Software Refactoring", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.i204-i212, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502816.pdf

"Technical Debt Management and Software Refactoring", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. ppi204-i212, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502816.pdf