What does keeping the lights on (KTLO) mean?

Keeping the Lights On (KTLO) is a concept in product management and business operations that involves maintaining the core functions of a product or service to ensure it continues to deliver promised value to customers. It encompasses activities such as bug fixing, system maintenance, and addressing technical debt, which are crucial for sustaining a digital product's functionality and performance. While essential, KTLO can be time-consuming and may detract from innovation if not managed properly. Strategies for balancing KTLO with innovation include segmenting tasks into sprints, assigning dedicated team members to KTLO tasks, and maintaining a separate KTLO budget to aid resource allocation and strategic planning. Effective KTLO management helps maintain product quality and enables growth, as illustrated by an example where proactive architecture changes allowed a company to scale and achieve its growth objectives. The challenge lies in balancing day-to-day maintenance with strategic innovation efforts, focusing on accountability, code quality, and avoiding overly packed feature roadmaps.