What is the Tech Radar?

The Taxdoo Tech Radar is a list of technologies, complemented by an assessment result, called ring assignment. We use four rings with the following semantics:

  • ADOPT — Technologies we have high confidence in to serve our purpose, also in large scale. Technologies with a usage culture in our Taxdoo production environment, low risk and recommended to be widely used.
  • TRIAL — Technologies that we have seen work with success in project work to solve a real problem; first serious usage experience that confirm benefits and can uncover limitations. TRIAL technologies are slightly more risky; some engineers in our organization walked this path and will share knowledge and experiences.
  • ASSESS — Technologies that are promising and have clear potential value-add for us; technologies worth to invest some research and prototyping efforts in to see if it has 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 started a prototyping effort.
  • HOLD — Technologies not recommended to be used for new projects. Technologies that we think are not (yet) worth to (further) invest in. HOLD technologies should not be used for new projects, but usually can be continued for existing projects.

What is the purpose?

The concept of a Tech Radar was first popularized by Thoughtworks. It is a tool we use to align between teams and share experience what technologies worked for us and what didn't. We publish snapshots of our radar from time to time to share our experience with the wider community in general and those interested in joining us in particular.

You can find more detailed information in our Taxdoo Engineering Blog.

How do we maintain it?

Our Tech Radar is utilizing Zalando's open source code to generate its visualization with some minor customisations. Contributions to the content can be made by any engineer within Taxdoo, which naturally leads to discussions forming and a general consensus forming over time. Periodical review is performed by our architect and engineering lead to ensure assessments made are aligned with Taxdoo's long term strategy.