TDebituM

DFG Project - 04/21 - 03/23

Technical decisions that yield short-term benefits but prove harmful and costly in the long run are often made because their scope, impact, and corrective measures are not appreciated or are underestimated. This phenomenon is referred to in software systems as Technical Debt (TD).

TD in mechatronics, which describes the mechatronic systems and their development, has been little researched. Therefore, the requested research project focuses on identifying TD in mechatronics and its evaluation for criticality and consequences. TDebituM extends TD research findings on software systems to include TD characteristics in mechatronics, engineering, and the life cycle's additional phases. Mechatronic products and production systems as technical systems consisting of mechanical, electrical/electronic, and software components are investigated. The interdependencies of different disciplines and shortened and asynchronous innovation cycles of integrated products and production systems create unforeseen TD that is difficult to control. Cross-disciplinary, cross-organizational, and cross-industry characteristics must be analyzed, correlated, and understood with TD-specific characteristics. Using TD indicators, patterns and metrics, TD shall be identified and mastered semi-automatically.

Publications

• Journal of Systems and Software '21
  Interdisciplinary effects of technical debt in companies with mechatronic products — a qualitative study

• TechDebt Conference '21 
  Frequency and Impact of Technical Debt Characteristics in Companies Producing Mechatronic Products

• Automation Conference '21 
  Auswirkung und Folgen Technischer Schuld in mechatronischen Systemen und daraus resultierende Anforderungen

Current research results

• Webplattform for TD Management: tdebitum.herokuapp.com
  If you are interested in trying out the web platform, please contact Fandi Hartl, M. Sc.