What is the Tech Radar?
Do technologies fascinate you? Do you think your project can benefit from new technology? Have you just joined the team and would you like to know what tools we are using in our daily work? You have a tool in your project and you would like to see if we have done something with it and maybe there is someone who can help you?
- ADOPT — Technologies we have a high confidence in to serve our purposes, also for larger scale. Technologies that have a usage culture in our Stepwise production environment, with a low risk and recommended for wide use.
- TRIAL — Technologies that we have seen work with success in project work to solve a real problem; the first serious usage experience that confirms their benefits and can uncover limitations. TRIAL technologies are slightly more risky; some engineers in our organisation walked this path and will share their knowledge and experiences.
- ASSESS — Technologies that look promising and have a clear potential value-added for us; technologies worth investing some research and prototyping effort in to see if they have an impact. ASSESS technologies have higher risks; they are often brand new and highly unproven in our organisation. You will find some engineers that have knowledge in the technology and promote it, you may even find teams that have begun a prototyping effort.
- HOLD — Technologies not recommended to be used for new projects. Technologies that we think are not (yet) worth (further) investing in. HOLD technologies should not be used for new projects, but usually can be continued for existing projects.
What is the purpose?
Tech Radar is based on the pioneering work of ThoughtWorks. It is a tool that supports and inspires every team member at Stepwise in choosing the best technologies for new projects, encourages joint reflection on technological decisions, and shows the way in the development of team skills and the direction of the company's development. Tech Radar also helps to thoughtfully evaluate the business strategy adopted by Stepwise.
Stepwise Tech Radar is a living document for assessing the risks and benefits of existing and emerging technologies in a company. It allows us to monitor the range of technologies we use on an ongoing basis, and find out which technologies we should approach or move away from.
How do we maintain it?
Tech Radar is managed by the Stepwise Core-Team and the best developers in the company, yet created with the active participation of all the developer teams who devote their time to the Tech Radar goal. Each month at a joint meeting, we discuss the current and future projects, and the assignment of technologies to the respective circles, considering the appropriate direction of the company's development and our own.Are you curious about how technologies appear in Tech Radar?
- We share individual experiences and impressions about the tools, libraries and frameworks we use during the Tech Tuesdays we host, or from casual conversations during meetings.
- We test various technologies as part of our internal R&D – there are many ideas that go to ASSESS.
- Customer projects and PoCs prepared for customers also provide material for Tech Radar – in search of the best solutions or project requirements.
- In addition, we are passionate about new technologies, so we keep track of emerging trends.