Tech Stack Evaluation Guide

When to Use

• Choosing between frameworks/libraries
• Evaluating cloud providers
• Making build vs buy decisions
• Planning technology migrations
• Standardizing tech stack

Evaluation Framework

Decision Matrix

Scoring Guide

Common Comparisons

Frontend Frameworks

Backend Languages

Databases

Cloud Providers

Evaluation Process

Step 1: Define Requirements

## Requirements
- Scale: [Expected users/requests]
- Performance: [Latency requirements]
- Budget: [Monthly/yearly budget]
- Team: [Current skills and size]
- Timeline: [Implementation deadline]

Step 2: Identify Options

• Current market leaders
• Rising alternatives
• Team-familiar options

Step 3: Proof of Concept

• Core functionality
• Integration test
• Performance benchmark

Step 4: Total Cost Analysis

Step 5: Risk Assessment

Build vs Buy

Build When

• Core competitive advantage
• Unique requirements
• Long-term cost savings
• Team has expertise

Buy When

• Commodity functionality
• Time to market critical
• Ongoing maintenance burden
• Industry standard exists

Decision Tree

Is it core to your business?
├── Yes → Does expertise exist?
│   ├── Yes → Build
│   └── No → Buy (for now)
└── No → Buy or use open source

Migration Planning

Migration Phases

1. Assessment - Current state analysis
2. Planning - Target architecture
3. Preparation - Team training, tooling
4. Migration - Incremental rollout
5. Validation - Testing, monitoring
6. Cutover - Final switch
7. Optimization - Post-migration tuning

Risk Mitigation

• Run parallel systems
• Feature flags for rollback
• Comprehensive testing
• Staged rollout
• Clear rollback plan

Documentation Template

# Technology Decision: [Name]

## Context
Why are we making this decision?

## Options Considered
1. [Option A] - Pros/Cons
2. [Option B] - Pros/Cons
3. [Option C] - Pros/Cons

## Decision
We chose [Option] because...

## Consequences
- Positive: [List]
- Negative: [List]

## Implementation Plan
- Phase 1: [Action]
- Phase 2: [Action]