TechDebt 2026
Sun 12 - Mon 13 April 2026 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
co-located with ICSE 2026
Mon 13 Apr 2026 16:20 - 16:40 at Oceania VII - Gal Costa Chair(s): Roberto Verdecchia

Context: Requirements Technical Debt (RTD) emerges when software requirements are elicited, documented, or implemented in a way that deviates from stakeholders’ needs or quality standards. Despite its growing recognition as a key dimension of Technical Debt, there is a lack of comprehensive and empirically validated processes for RTD management. Goal: This paper proposes and evaluates the MANA-RTD process, a structured approach to manage Requirements Technical Debt throughout its lifecycle, integrating the process into an existing management platform, named DTRUST. The goal is to improve the traceability, prioritization, and repayment of RTDs in real software projects. Method: Supported by a literature review, the MANA-RTD process was proposed, and a case study was conducted in a government software project. The process was assessed using the SWOT technique and the Goal-Question-Metric (GQM) approach to analyze its effectiveness, usefulness, and suitability. Results: The application of MANA-RTD resulted in more systematic RTD management, with 50% of identified debts fully repaid, and improved documentation and monitoring practices. The results highlight the benefits of integrating structured RTD management into existing platforms, thereby enhancing visibility and decision-making. Conclusion: The MANA-RTD process demonstrated practical value and methodological rigor for managing RTD in real-world contexts, providing a foundation for future extensions and replications in other domains.

Mon 13 Apr

Displayed time zone: Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil change

16:00 - 17:40
16:00
20m
Talk
Reframing Technical Debt
TechDebt Program
A: Zadia Codabux University of Saskatchewan
16:20
20m
Talk
MANA-RTD: A Structured Process for Managing Requirements Technical Debt in Real Projects
Technical Papers
Rhenara Alves Oliveira Federal University of Ceara (UFC), Anna Beatriz Marques Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, Amanda Sousa Federal University of Ceara (UFC), José Antônio Macêdo Federal University of Ceara (UFC), Rossana Andrade Federal University of Ceará
16:40
10m
Talk
Technical Lag as Latent Technical Debt: A Rapid Review
Technical Papers
Shane Panter Boise State University, Nasir Eisty University of Tennessee-Knoxville
16:50
10m
Other
Process Smells in Practice: An Evaluative Case Study
Journal First
A: Eray Tüzün Bilkent University, A: Erdem Tuna Bilkent University, A: Emre Sülün Bilkent University
17:00
20m
Industry talk
LLMs-Assisted Context-Aware Static Analysis for Security Debt Detection
Industry Track
A: Phu Nguyen SINTEF
17:20
10m
Day closing
Closing and TechDebt 2027
TechDebt Program
A: Rodrigo Spinola Virginia Commonwealth University, A: Carolyn Seaman University of Maryland Baltimore County, A: Jeffrey C. Carver University of Alabama