Assessing IDEA Diagrams for Supporting Analysis of Capabilities and Issues in Technical Debt Management

Context. Technical debt management (TDM) comprises activities such as prevention, monitoring, and repayment. Current technical literature has identified, for each of these TDM activities, several applicable practices as well as practice avoidance reasons (PARs). This body of knowledge (practices and PARs) is available in the literature only in widely spread text and tables, and is not organized into artifacts, hindering the use of current knowledge on TDM. Previously, we organized these practices and PARs into IDEA (Impediments, Decision factors, Enabling practices, and Actions) diagrams. However, an empirical evaluation of these diagrams is still missing. Aims. To empirically assess the IDEA diagrams with respect to their ease of use, usefulness, potential future use, and support for TDM activities. Method. We conduct two complementary empirical studies. Firstly, we applied the technology acceptance model (TAM) with 72 participants in academic contexts. Afterwards, we interviewed 11 experienced software practitioners. Results. In the TAM study, 92% of the participants indicated that they could use the diagrams. Also, the diagrams were considered easy to learn and use. Through the interviews, participants indicated that the diagrams are easy to read and follow, can influence decisions on how to manage debt items, and could be used to support their daily activities. Conclusion. Both studies provided positive evidence that IDEA diagrams can be useful for supporting TDM activities.