Extra insights that make your refactors more strategic, collaborative, and sustainable
This Bonus Pack expands on everything we've covered so far with 4 focused lessons that address the people, process, and real-world constraints around refactoring.
Let's dive in.
🆕 Bonus 1 — When You Should Rewrite Instead of Refactor
Knowing when to let go and start over
Not every system deserves a refactor.
Sometimes the best move is to rebuild from scratch - but that decision should never be impulsive.
Red flags that suggest a rewrite is better:
- No tests, no docs, nobody understands the code
- Tech stack is outdated or unsupported
- Bugs are symptoms of flawed architecture
- Every change introduces 3 new bugs
- You've already tried refactoring and failed
How to approach a rewrite responsibly:
- Keep the business logic contract consistent
- Build the new system next to the old one
- Use feature flags or routing to slowly switch traffic
- Mirror real data to test before cutting over
- Remove the legacy system only when the new one is fully trusted
💡 Rewrites should be strategic, not emotional.
🆕 Bonus 2 — Refactoring in Teams
How to avoid stepping on each other and make the work collaborative
Refactoring as a team requires more than just splitting up files. You need shared direction, boundaries, and communication.
Tips to make it smooth:
- Define clear scope and goals before anyone starts coding
- Break work by responsibility, not line numbers
- Use contracts or interfaces to reduce coupling between teammates' work
- Set up PR templates to explain each change
- Do a midpoint check-in before it's too late to adjust
Optional extras:
- Use a shared kanban/board to track atomic refactor tasks
- Write down agreed rules: naming, file structure, error handling
🧠 Don't just refactor code — refactor your collaboration.
🆕 Bonus 3 — The Printable Refactor Checklist
A step-by-step guide you can print or paste into Notion
Pre-Refactor
- [ ] Do we have a clear why?
- [ ] Are the goals measurable?
- [ ] Are there existing tests or metrics?
- [ ] Are stakeholders aware or involved?
Planning
- [ ] Scope is defined
- [ ] Strategy chosen (incremental, strangler, etc.)
- [ ] Tools (CI, linters, test runners) are in place
- [ ] Any risky parts flagged?
Execution
- [ ] Each commit is purposeful
- [ ] No behavior changed without reason
- [ ] Tests updated along the way
- [ ] Team is aware of changes in flow or interfaces
Aftermath
- [ ] Cleanup done (flags, dead code, mocks)
- [ ] Metrics re-evaluated
- [ ] Docs updated
- [ ] Lessons shared with the team
✅ Use this before every refactor.
🆕 Bonus 4 — Handling Pushback From Stakeholders
How to talk about refactors without sounding like a code snob
Refactors are often hard to "sell" to leadership or PMs. Here's how to translate value into their language.
| Developer Speak | Stakeholder Language |
|---|---|
| "This code is unmaintainable" | "This slows down our delivery" |
| "We need to decouple this" | "This change is risky and expensive as-is" |
| "No tests, can't touch it" | "Without safety checks, we risk regressions" |
Common objections:
❌ “Why fix something that works?”
✔️ “Because it's fragile, expensive, and slowing down progress.”❌ “Won't this delay our release?”
✔️ “It's short-term cost for long-term speed and fewer bugs.”❌ “Let's just patch it again.”
✔️ “Patches accumulate tech debt — we need a long-term fix.”
Refactoring is part of software health. Don't wait for things to break.
📌 Final Note: Refactoring Is a Head Start, Not a Free Ride
Refactoring doesn't eliminate maintenance — it just makes it manageable.
It gives you:
- A cleaner foundation
- Easier testing
- Better boundaries
- More confident teams
But it doesn't:
- Freeze time
- Prevent technical debt forever
- Exempt you from good practices
- Replace the need to update dependencies
🧠 Refactor smart today. Maintain smarter tomorrow.
📚 Series Index — Refactor Smart Today, Move Faster Tomorrow
A practical guide to refactoring without fear — from planning to validation.
1️⃣ Before You Touch a Line of Code
2️⃣ Plan Your Refactor Step by Step
3️⃣ Tools That Save You From Yourself
4️⃣ Refactoring Without Regret
5️⃣ After the Refactor: How to Know It Worked
✨ Bonus: 4 Lessons to Refactor Smarter (Not Harder)
Cover image credit: Luca Bravo, via Unsplash
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