Abstract
Initiated in 2019, the Danish Ministry of Defence's Program for IT Consolidation and Transformation (PIT) aimed to address its fragmented IT setup, to better handle evolving global challenges. Despite economic gains, the program was disbanded in 2023, leading to the formation of the Cyberdivision. A subsequent project assessed 289 systems, revealing critical systems burdened by technological debt. This study, rooted in Actor-Network Theory (ANT), explores the factors influencing system prioritization and the accumulation of technological debt. The findings indicate a systematic buildup of debt driven by deliberate decisions favoring economy and functionality over long-term stability. Formal processes inadequately align with IT projects and their inherent agility, creating a shared interest structure around portfolio management. The study concludes that technological debt arises from maintenance backlog, resource constraints, and a neglect of long-term stability. The absence of a clear IT strategy introduces complexity to prioritization processes. The prioritization of delivering functionality within budget constraints becomes a key determinant in decision-making. Recommendations include a comprehensive overview of the IT portfolio, a unified IT strategy, and resource allocation to address technological debt. The study prompts for future research accompanied by complementary frameworks to explore further beneficial actions to be taken. The study encourages practical actions within the Cyberdivision and collaboration among a wide range of organizations for knowledge-sharing and efficient system management.