15 Questions Software Engineers Should Ask When Evaluating New Technology

You'll likely receive a comparable outcome by inquiring with ChatGPT, but I'll share it here as a point of reference - both for my own benefit and hopefully for yours too.

When encountering new technology, it is crucial for software engineers to ask the right questions to assess its potential benefits, drawbacks, and applicability to their projects or organization. Here are 15 key questions to consider:

1. Purpose: What is the purpose of this technology? Understand the primary problem it aims to solve and how it does so.
2. Maturity: How mature is the technology? Assess its stability, maturity, and adoption rate among other engineers and organizations.
3. Creators and Maintainers: Who are the creators and maintainers? Research the credibility, expertise, and reliability of the team behind the technology.
4. Open-Source or Proprietary: Is it open-source or proprietary? Consider the implications for cost, customization, and long-term support.
5. Key Features and Benefits: What are the key features and benefits? Identify the aspects that differentiate it from existing technologies.
6. Comparison to Existing Solutions: How does it compare to existing solutions? Understand its advantages and disadvantages compared to other tools or technologies in the same space.
7. Learning Curve: What is the learning curve? Estimate the time and resources required to learn, adopt, and integrate the technology.
8. Case Studies and Examples: Are there any well-known case studies or examples of successful implementation? Investigate real-world applications of the technology and their outcomes.
9. Community and Ecosystem: What is the community and ecosystem like? Assess the availability of resources, support, and third-party integrations.
10. Limitations, Drawbacks, and Risks: Are there any known limitations, drawbacks, or risks? Identify potential issues or concerns that may impact your projects or organization.
11. Licensing and Pricing: What are the licensing and pricing options? Evaluate the costs and their potential impact on your budget.
12. Scalability and Performance: How scalable and performant is the technology? Determine if it can handle the demands of your projects, both now and in the future.
13. Security and Privacy: What is the technology's security and privacy posture? Assess how it addresses critical security and data privacy concerns.
14. Integration with Existing Technology Stack: How easy is it to integrate with your existing technology stack? Consider any required changes or modifications to your current infrastructure.
15. Long-Term Viability: What is the long-term viability of the technology? Evaluate its potential for continued development, support, and growth in the future.

By asking these questions, a software engineer can make an informed decision about whether to invest time and resources into learning and adopting a new technology.

This article is co-authored with ChatGPT

Cover image comes from Unsplash