Technology and Development3 min read

Refactoring

Improving code without changing functionality

It's reorganizing code to make it cleaner, more efficient and easier to maintain, without changing what it does. Like reorganizing your closet: the clothes are still the same, but now it's easier to find everything.

How to justify refactoring time when there are pending features?

Say: 'Refactoring is preventive maintenance. If we don't do it, each new feature takes longer. It's like cleaning your kitchen: you can cook faster in an organized kitchen. We invest 1 week now to save months later.'

Real examples

Client asks why there are no new features this week

Instead of: 'We're refactoring.' Better: 'This week we do refactoring: we clean the code so the next features are faster to build. It's investing time to accelerate later.'

Recurring bug that reappears every month

Instead of: 'We already fixed it 3 times.' Better: 'We need refactoring in that section. Fixing it superficially is like putting tape on a broken pipe. Refactoring fixes the pipe at the root.'

New developer says the code is hard to understand

Instead of: 'They have to get used to it.' Better: 'It's a sign we need refactoring. Difficult code = slow onboarding + more bugs. We invest 2 sprints in cleaning it.'

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