Build Your Own Radar: Using the Technology Radar as a governance tool
Oct 3, 2024
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Discover the nuances of the Technology Radar, a tool that not only categorizes tech but also fosters meaningful discussions within teams. Explore how organizations can customize this framework to enhance technology governance and decision-making. The importance of diverse perspectives in workshops is emphasized, as participants collaborate to navigate the tech landscape. Learn how a well-implemented radar can guide both organizational strategies and individual career development, helping to avoid technology bubbles and adapt to emerging trends.
The Thoughtworks Technology Radar not only serves as a publication but also fosters essential discussions within organizations about technology adoption and evaluation.
Utilizing a technology radar can assist individuals in strategically planning their professional development by identifying relevant technologies for career growth.
Deep dives
Understanding the Technology Radar
A technology radar acts as a publication that provides a snapshot of current technologies being utilized, categorizing them into distinct rings. These rings include 'hold,' indicating technologies to avoid, 'assess,' for those needing further evaluation, 'trial,' which means they are actively being used in production projects, and 'adopt,' recommending technologies to embrace. The significance of each ring lies in its operational context, as 'adopt' does not imply absolute endorsement but suggests suitability based on specific requirements. This contextual approach encourages thoughtful consideration before implementing new technologies.
Quadrants and Their Flexibility
The radar is divided into four quadrants: techniques, tools, platforms, and languages/frameworks, which help organize the vast technology landscape. However, the placement of specific technologies within these quadrants is not rigid; it reflects the context and utility rather than strict definitions. This flexibility allows organizations to tailor their radar according to their unique technology environment and needs, ensuring relevance and applicability. The quadrants provide a means of communication, but the emphasis remains on the overall framework rather than the individual classifications.
Collaboration and Governance Through Technology Radar
The process of utilizing a technology radar encourages productive discussions among diverse stakeholders within an organization. It is essential to include a mix of perspectives during meetings, as this allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of technologies and their implications. By facilitating these conversations, organizations can identify which technologies to adopt or put on hold and foster greater transparency regarding enterprise architecture. This collaborative approach not only enhances governance but also creates a culture of continuous innovation and improvement.
Beyond the Radar: Personal and Career Development
Using a technology radar can extend beyond organizational governance; it can also serve as a career-tracking tool for individuals. By identifying which technologies are worth pursuing and which should be deprioritized, technologists can strategically plan their professional development. This proactive engagement can help avoid falling into technology bubbles, where professionals may unwittingly ignore emerging trends and shifts in their industry. Regular reflection through this framework can facilitate broader learning and adaptation in a constantly evolving technological landscape.
The Thoughtworks Technology Radar is, first and foremost, a publication. It's a document that anyone in the tech industry can read twice a year to learn about our experiences and perspectives on technology. However, it's also more than that: it's built on top of a process of deliberation, discussion and curation. We think that's particularly important — it's something we encourage technology teams and organizations to do and which we support with our Build Your Own Radar tool.
On this episode of the Technology Podcast, Neal Ford and Ken Mugrage join Prem Chandrasekaran to discuss Build Your Own Radar. They outline why the Radar process is just as important as the artifact that gets created at the end, and explain how organizations can use it to facilitate conversations about how and what technology they use and want to use in the future.
Learn more about Build Your Own Radar: https://www.thoughtworks.com/radar/byor
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