The Hidden Cost of "It Works": Why Quick Fixes Kill Long-Term Speed

Short summary

Quick fixes feel like speed but create compound debt. One timezone hack copied into four places led to three days of refactoring and two production incidents. The hidden cost isn't code duplication alone—it's cultural damage as Broken Windows dynamics cause teams to gradually lose standards. Develop a decision framework distinguishing intentional, repayable shortcuts from silent permanent hacks.

• •One quick fix compounds: six-month delayed cost of 10x the original effort
• •Damage is dual—fragmented code AND eroded team standards through Broken Windows effect
• •Solution: decision framework marking intentional debt for repayment vs. silent permanent hacks

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