Technical debt is a reality of software development, but it can have long-term consequences for the software’s quality and maintainability. To manage technical debt, teams should prioritize paying down the most critical debt, use tools to identify areas that require attention, and adopt agile development practices that emphasize continuous improvement. Cultivating a culture of ownership, collaboration, and accountability is also crucial, promoting code reviews, technical writing, and documentation. By balancing the need for speed with the goal of long-term sustainability, software development teams can deliver high-quality software that meets both short-term and long-term goals.