Tech Radar
A Tech Radar is a visual tool for systematically evaluating and categorising technological trends, tools, and methods. It helps the organisation stay focused on the right topics and keep the technology zoo under control.
The radar is not a static document, but the result of an ongoing discourse between engineering, architecture, and management.
Anti-Patterns: The Hype Overload
New frameworks, databases, or AI tools appear almost every week. Without a structured radar, organisations often react reactively: either ignoring innovations for too long (and getting left behind) or jumping on every trend (and drowning in technical complexity). A missing radar leads to inconsistent decisions across different teams.
The Four Quadrants
We evaluate technologies across four categories and four maturity levels:
- Quadrants:
- Techniques: Methods such as Micro-Frontends or GitOps.
- Tools: Tools such as Terraform, GitHub Copilot, or Prometheus.
- Platforms: Infrastructure such as Kubernetes, AWS, or Vercel.
- Languages & Frameworks: Programming languages and libraries such as Rust or React.
- Maturity Levels (Rings):
- Adopt: Proven standards. We use these technologies by default.
- Trial: Promising. We test them in initial pilot projects.
- Assess: Interesting. We monitor the development and keep learning.
- Hold: Stop. We no longer use this technology for new projects.
The Process: Transparent Decisions
Every entry on the radar comes with a brief rationale. This creates clarity for developers and confidence for management in investment decisions.
FAQ
Who gets to decide what goes on the radar?
The radar is moderated by an expert panel (e.g. Architecture Guild), but any engineer can submit proposals. It is an instrument for democratising technological knowledge.
Are we not allowed to use a technology in the Hold ring at all?
In existing projects, yes (maintenance). But for new projects it is off-limits, so as not to increase technical debt further. We want to consolidate the stack over time.
Reference Guide
- Thoughtworks Tech Radar: The reference radar by the concept's inventors. thoughtworks.com/radar
- Zalando Tech Radar: A practical example of a company-specific radar. zalando.github.io/tech-radar/
- Build your own Radar: The tool for creating your own radar. thoughtworks.com/radar/byor