Another reason technical debt is useful, as touched on elsewhere, is that it's something of a real option.
Options have value - think e.g. Oil futures which are the right but not the obligation to purchase X at Y price in the future.
Real options also have value - certain investment decisions can be delayed (e.g. building a plant or refactoring code) and by delaying them you create an option. Here the option is the right but not obligation to write better code that will actually work :)
I know it's hard to convince clients to change their ways, I have found that telling them they are doing great things they didn't even realize is a good way to start before you "bring the pain". Best of luck!
Another reason technical debt is useful, as touched on elsewhere, is that it's something of a real option.
Options have value - think e.g. Oil futures which are the right but not the obligation to purchase X at Y price in the future.
Real options also have value - certain investment decisions can be delayed (e.g. building a plant or refactoring code) and by delaying them you create an option. Here the option is the right but not obligation to write better code that will actually work :)
I know it's hard to convince clients to change their ways, I have found that telling them they are doing great things they didn't even realize is a good way to start before you "bring the pain". Best of luck!