What do you think about when you hear “Tech Debt”? Most people think about bad things which must be avoided at all cost. Bad design, no tests and unmaintainable code are just a few examples. When I hear “Tech Debt”, I think about managing risk and opportunity. I think about a powerful tool which, when used correctly, allows delivering great products. I believe learning to use tech debt in a smart way (vs. “cutting corners”) is difficult, but is a key factor in becoming a mature engineering team that ships successful products. In my talk, I will explore common misconceptions about tech debt, what types of it exists, and how to leverage it to achieve your product development goals. I will also cover the fact that tech debt must be payed back, and share practical tips on how to do it.