How to Fix a Broken Project: A Step-by-Step Approach

It can feel overwhelming when you inherit a poorly maintained or completely broken project. The code might be disorganized, dependencies outdated, and nothing seems to work as expected. However, with a structured approach, you can methodically bring the project back to life. Here's a practical checklist to help you navigate this challenge.

Step 1: Understand the Project and UI

Before diving into the code, it's crucial to understand the purpose of the project and its intended user experience. A clear grasp of the requirements will help guide your decisions throughout the refactoring process.

• Run the app: The first step is to try running the app and observe what happens. Take note of immediate errors and broken functionalities.
• Explore user flows: Understand how users are expected to interact with the app. A broken user flow can lead to frustration and inefficiencies.
• Assess design consistency: Check if the app adheres to modern UI/UX guidelines. A disorganized UI can make navigation confusing, leading to a poor user experience.

Step 2: Investigate the Code Structure

Once you understand the user experience (UX), it's time to assess the codebase and how it has been structured.

Folder Structure

A well-structured project makes collaboration easier and improves maintainability.

• Are assets like images and styles organized correctly in separate folders?
• Does the directory structure follow standard best practices? For example, are screens, components, and services logically divided?
• Is the structure intuitive enough for new developers to navigate efficiently?

Naming Conventions

Consistent naming conventions improve code readability and reduce confusion.

• Are files and folders named clearly and descriptively?
• Do file names accurately reflect their content?
• Are function and variable names meaningful and easy to understand?

Constants & Reusable Components

Centralizing configuration settings and reusing components ensures scalability and maintainability.

• Are key files such as Theme and Constants well-defined and correctly implemented?
• Are common UI components (e.g., Buttons, Headers, Inputs) structured efficiently for reuse?
• Do these components follow best practices to ensure flexibility and adaptability?

Step 3: Assess the State Management and Navigation

State management and navigation play a crucial role in ensuring an app runs smoothly. Poor implementation in these areas can lead to crashes, broken user flows, and performance issues.

• State Management: Identify which state management solution is being used (e.g., Context API, Redux, MobX). Each comes with its pros and cons, so it's important to evaluate whether the chosen method is appropriate for the app.
• Navigation: Ensure navigation is set up correctly. If the app has issues such as undefined routes or crashes when navigating between screens, it's essential to fix these immediately.
• Check versioning: Using outdated libraries for navigation can cause incompatibility issues. Verify that the navigation library is up to date and follows best practices.

Step 4: Evaluate the UI

An outdated or inconsistent UI can make an app feel unpolished and difficult to use. Evaluating the UI involves assessing both aesthetic and functional aspects.

• Is the design modern and visually appealing? A fresh and clean UI improves user engagement.
• Are colors and contrasts used effectively? Proper contrast ensures readability and accessibility for all users (e.g. light text on a dark background or vice versa).
• Is the layout intuitive? Every screen and component should serve a clear purpose, guiding users naturally through the app.
• Are interactive elements (buttons, inputs) functioning correctly? Broken UI components can frustrate users and render key features unusable.

Step 5: Create a Roadmap for Fixing the Code

Once you've analyzed the project’s weaknesses, the next step is to create a roadmap for improvements.

• Propose UI Improvements: If the design is outdated, draft a modernized UI mockup.
• Update Dependencies: Keeping dependencies up to date ensures better performance and security.
• Refactor the Code:
  • Break down overly complex files into smaller, manageable components.
  • Remove redundant or unused code to reduce technical debt.
  • Optimize performance by improving algorithms and reducing unnecessary re-renders.

Conclusion

By following this structured approach, you can transform a messy project into a well-organized and maintainable application. Whether dealing with an old codebase or inheriting someone else’s technical debt, taking the time to understand, evaluate, and improve the project will result in a robust and scalable solution.