A technology radar provides a structured way to evaluate and communicate technology choices. Inspired by ThoughtWorks, it helps organizations make consistent decisions.
Radar Structure
Four rings:
- Adopt - Use by default
- Trial - Use in low-risk projects
- Assess - Explore and evaluate
- Hold - Don't start new work
Four quadrants:
- Techniques
- Platforms
- Tools
- Languages & Frameworks
Example Entries
| Technology | Ring | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kubernetes | Adopt | Standard for containers |
| Terraform | Adopt | IaC tool of choice |
| Pulumi | Trial | Exploring for complex logic |
| Serverless | Trial | Good for event-driven |
| OpenTofu | Assess | Watching license situation |
| CloudFormation | Hold | Moving away |
Governance Process
- Anyone can propose
- Architecture team reviews
- Decisions documented
- Radar updated quarterly
- Changes communicated
Avoiding Anarchy and Bureaucracy
The radar enables informed choices without mandates. Teams can deviate with justification.