During his Sept. 17 MSP Summit breakout session, Robert Half’s technology practice executive director Ryan Sutton will present actionable steps MSPs can take to strengthen their clients' IT infrastructure, reduce tech debt, and build agile, high-performing teams that drive growth. I caught up with Sutton to discuss the causes, symptoms and cures of tech debt ahead of his MSP Summit session, titled “Future-Ready IT: How MSPs Can Help Clients Reduce Tech Debt.”

MSP Summit: What do you see as the biggest cause of tech debt?

Sutton: One of the biggest causes of tech debt is the continued reliance on legacy systems and outdated technology. It’s often the result of prioritizing short-term fixes over long-term strategy, which can really slow down digital transformation. At Robert Half, we’re also seeing that a major contributor is the ongoing shortage of skilled talent, especially in areas like AI, cloud, and cybersecurity. Without the right expertise in place, even well-intentioned projects can create more complexity and inefficiency instead of solving it.

What are the symptoms – how does an organization know when it’s suffering from tech debt?

Sutton: Organizations often notice tech debt when they face frequent outages, slow systems, or rising maintenance costs. Other signs include delays in new projects, trouble integrating technology, and frustrated employees stuck managing outdated systems. Rushed fixes, unpatched vulnerabilities, and situations where only a few people really understand the critical tech, can also point to tech debt. These issues lead to burnout, stalled innovation, lost revenue, and lower efficiency -- all clear signals that it’s time to address tech debt.

How does tech debt impact business growth and revenue?

Sutton: Tech debt can really slow things down for a business. It makes systems harder to scale, maintain, and secure, which means higher costs and more pressure on already stretched teams. We often see it delay important initiatives and even lead to burnout when teams are stuck supporting outdated systems. It also gets in the way of innovation, making it tougher to adopt new technologies. And when key roles go unfilled or the right skills aren’t in place, those delays can translate into missed revenue and lost momentum.

What's the most common misconception MSPs have about addressing their clients' technical debt?

Sutton: One common misconception MSPs have is thinking tech debt is just an IT issue that can be solved by a quick fix or a few new hires. But as we’ve seen at Robert Half, it’s usually tied to bigger challenges like misaligned priorities, skills gaps, and a lack of long-term planning. Hiring alone won’t fix it. You need the right expertise, especially in areas like AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, along with a more strategic, collaborative approach to really make progress and help clients modernize effectively.

With technology changing so fast, isn’t some tech debt inevitable for all but the largest organizations?

Sutton: Yes, some level of tech debt is inevitable, even for the largest organizations. The rapid pace of innovation, shifting business priorities, limited budgets, and talent shortages mean most companies, especially small and midsize ones, will accumulate some tech debt over time. The important thing isn’t to eliminate it completely but to actively manage it: prioritize what matters most, invest in the right talent, and build flexibility into your strategy so tech debt doesn’t snowball into a bigger problem and holds back transformation.

What key metrics should MSPs evaluate when analyzing a client's technical infrastructure if they want to assess tech debt?

Sutton: When MSPs assess tech debt, a few areas really stand out. Legacy systems are a big one as outdated platforms can slow down growth and innovation. It's also key to spot skills gaps, since lacking the right talent makes tech debt harder to manage. Security risks and unpatched systems add to the problem, and it’s worth checking how modern and integrated tools like ERP are. Finally, understanding how ready the organization is for change helps MSPs build a smart, proactive plan before tech debt becomes a bigger issue.

How can MSPs convince their customers of the dangers of tech debt?

Sutton: MSPs can really help customers understand the risks of tech debt by connecting it to everyday business challenges like more downtime, higher costs, and delays in innovation. It’s especially effective to highlight how outdated systems and talent shortages can hold back things like AI adoption, cybersecurity, and overall growth. When you frame tech debt as not just an IT problem, but a real strategic risk, it makes it easier for clients to see why they need to act now and invest in managing it proactively.

Do skills gaps contribute to tech debt accumulation?

Sutton: Absolutely, skills gaps definitely play a big role in tech debt building up. When companies don’t have enough talent in key areas like AI, cloud architecture, and cybersecurity, it makes it tough to keep systems properly maintained and updated. That often leads to quick fixes or outdated tech hanging around longer than it should, which adds to tech debt over time. In fact, 76% of tech leaders say they see skills gaps on their teams, so closing those gaps is really key to tackling tech debt and moving digital transformation forward.

How should MSPs balance addressing immediate technical debt concerns versus implementing preventative measures for the future?

Sutton: MSPs need to find the right balance between fixing urgent tech debt issues and planning ahead to prevent new problems down the road. It’s important to tackle the biggest risks first, like security gaps or systems that keep causing downtime, while also investing in ongoing maintenance, updating technology, and helping teams build the right skills. Taking this balanced, proactive approach not only helps avoid costly surprises but also supports growth and makes sure today’s fixes don’t turn into tomorrow’s headaches.