Learn how to evaluate and select the best emerging technology for your software system needs, architecture, and goals. Follow these six practical steps and criteria.

When you're picking new tech for your system, it's good to chat with everyone who'll use it to make sure it's the right fit. Look ahead to make sure this tech won't get old too fast and check that it follows the rules and works well with what you already have. Make sure the company selling it is solid and you know all the costs, including setting it up and keeping it running. Check it's safe, won't mess up your backup plans, and manage your data right. Try a small test first to see if it really does what you need. Don’t forget, you'll need to teach people how to use it and help them get used to the change. All these steps help make sure the tech you choose is a smart move for your business and will help out for a long time.

How can you choose the right emerging technology for your software system?

Choosing the right emerging technology for your software system can be a daunting task. You want to leverage the latest innovations, but you also need to consider the trade-offs, risks, and compatibility issues. How can you make an informed decision that aligns with your system goals, requirements, and constraints? In this article, we will explore some practical steps and criteria to help you evaluate and select the best emerging technology for your software system.

1 Define your system needs

The first step is to clearly define what your system needs are, and how the emerging technology can address them. You should consider the functional and non-functional requirements, such as performance, scalability, security, reliability, usability, and maintainability. You should also identify the key challenges and pain points that your system faces, such as complexity, latency, cost, or compatibility. By defining your system needs, you can narrow down the scope and focus of your technology search.

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Renato Azevedo Sant Anna

Product Marketing - Digital Innovation & Insights Specialist | GenAI Strategy & Digital Transformation | Strategic Positioning, Tech Writing & Foresight for B2B Marketing | Mentor at FasterCapital | AI Blogger | Speaker
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One way is to evaluate the maturity level of the organization of technology adoption and if it makes sense to take an evolutionary approach or a disruptive one. Newer technologies often bring a new paradigm of capabilities, but there is almost always a trade-off to be made.

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2 Research the technology landscape

The next step is to research the technology landscape and discover the available options that match your system needs. You can use various sources of information, such as blogs, podcasts, webinars, white papers, case studies, and online communities. You should look for relevant and reliable information that covers the features, benefits, drawbacks, and best practices of the emerging technology. You should also compare and contrast different technologies and see how they stack up against each other.

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Yuvaraj Madheswaran

GM Financial
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Don't just highlight the benefits; pay equal attention to the drawbacks. Every technology has limitations, and being aware of them is crucial for making informed decisions. A balanced view helps in setting realistic expectations and planning for potential challenges.

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3 Evaluate the technology fit

The third step is to evaluate the technology fit and see how well it aligns with your system architecture, design, and development. You should consider the compatibility, integration, and interoperability of the emerging technology with your existing system components, platforms, and tools. You should also assess the feasibility, availability, and maturity of the emerging technology and see if it meets your quality standards and expectations. You should also estimate the cost, effort, and time required to adopt and implement the emerging technology.

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4 Test the technology prototype

The fourth step is to test the technology prototype and see how it performs in a realistic scenario. You should create a proof of concept or a minimum viable product that demonstrates the core functionality and value proposition of the emerging technology. You should use realistic data, inputs, and outputs to simulate the system behavior and environment. You should also measure and monitor the key metrics and indicators that reflect the system performance, efficiency, and quality.

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5 Gather the technology feedback

The fifth step is to gather the technology feedback and see how it satisfies the system stakeholders and users. You should collect and analyze the feedback from different sources, such as surveys, interviews, reviews, ratings, and comments. You should look for the positive and negative aspects of the emerging technology, as well as the suggestions and recommendations for improvement. You should also compare the feedback with your system goals and requirements and see if the emerging technology meets or exceeds them.

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6 Decide on the technology adoption

The final step is to decide on the technology adoption and see if it is worth pursuing or not. You should weigh the pros and cons of the emerging technology and see how they affect your system value, risk, and return on investment. You should also consider the alternatives and opportunities that the emerging technology offers or forecloses. You should also check the readiness and willingness of your system team, organization, and market to embrace the emerging technology. Based on your analysis and evaluation, you should make a rational and strategic decision that supports your system vision and mission.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Abdullah M. Salma

Project Lead & Researcher at Saudi Aramco R&D | Inventor | Oil Upgrading Specialist | Supercritical Water Technologies | Artificial Intelligence | Modeling & Prediction
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When you're picking new tech for your system, it's good to chat with everyone who'll use it to make sure it's the right fit. Look ahead to make sure this tech won't get old too fast and check that it follows the rules and works well with what you already have. Make sure the company selling it is solid and you know all the costs, including setting it up and keeping it running. Check it's safe, won't mess up your backup plans, and manage your data right. Try a small test first to see if it really does what you need. Don’t forget, you'll need to teach people how to use it and help them get used to the change. All these steps help make sure the tech you choose is a smart move for your business and will help out for a long time.

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Jaume Rosselló Rosselló

Defense and C2 systems Expert | Systems Engineering
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On disruptive technology, system needs might not be there in the first place. Additionally, you might want to study the added value of the proposed system to the business you are trying to support. This possible added value needs to be considered along with the risks associated to implementation.

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How can you choose the right emerging technology for your software system?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your system needs

2 Research the technology landscape

3 Evaluate the technology fit

4 Test the technology prototype

5 Gather the technology feedback

6 Decide on the technology adoption

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Development

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How can you choose the right emerging technology for your software system?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your system needs

2 Research the technology landscape

3 Evaluate the technology fit

4 Test the technology prototype

5 Gather the technology feedback

6 Decide on the technology adoption

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Development

Rate this article

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