Fixitás

Fixitás is a term used in contemporary theory to denote the quality or state of being oriented toward fixing problems quickly through practical, surface-level remedies rather than addressing underlying causes. The word combines the English fix with the Hungarian suffix -tás, which forms abstract nouns, and has been used in Hungarian-language and international discussions on maintenance culture and problem solving.

Concept and scope: Fixitás describes a mindset or organizational habit that prioritizes expedient patches over systemic change. It encompasses rapid troubleshooting, deployment of temporary workarounds, and a preference for short-term stability when resources are constrained.

Applications across domains: In software engineering, fixitás manifests as frequent hotfixes and patching with scant attention to architectural debt. In urban and civil infrastructure, it appears as emergency repairs that keep services running but leave underlying vulnerabilities unaddressed. In organizational management, it can refer to ad hoc process fixes rather than redesign or long-term reform.

Origins and reception: The term has circulated in discussions about maintenance culture, risk management, and resilience. Proponents see fixitás as a necessary response to resource limits and competing pressures; critics argue that it can postpone fundamental improvements and accumulate technical debt or systemic risk.

Relation to related concepts: It aligns with ideas of patch management and rapid response, while contrasting with longer-term approaches such as refactoring, systemic reform, or antifragile design. It also intersects with resilience theory, which emphasizes balancing expediency with sustainability.

See also: patch management, maintenance culture, rapid response, technical debt, resilience theory.