[beauty of software engineering - column notes] 22 | how to do a good job in technology selection for the project?

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Column information

1. Columnist ： The treasure jade

2. Column publishing platform ： Geek time

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primary coverage

In the process of Architecture Design , I'm sure I can't get around the topic of technology selection , Big to architecture 、 frame 、 Language choice , Small enough to use what components 、 Design patterns .

The main goal of architecture design , Is to be able to meet demand and demand changes at a low cost , Ensure the software operation at a low cost . However, personal preferences for Technology , It's likely to let you choose technology , Ignore the goals of architectural design , The cost of meeting the demand becomes higher , Or the operating cost remains high .

So today , Let's discuss , In software engineering , How can we avoid the tendency of this type selection , Do a good job in technology selection scientifically and objectively .

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One 、 Technology selection is project decision

Technology selection , It is to choose the scheme suitable for the current project situation among two or more technical schemes . Technology selection seems to be a technology choice , But it is actually a project decision closely related to the project situation .

Do a good job in technology selection , Is to make project decisions . So how to choose the appropriate technology selection from the perspective of making project decisions ？

1. Subject to time 、 Scope and cost constraints

   Technology decision is a kind of project decision , Also subject to time 、 Scope and cost , You can't go beyond the boundaries of these three when making decisions .

2. Analyze the feasibility and risk

   If in the project decision , Regardless of feasibility , Do not estimate the risk , It is very likely to lead to decision failure .

3. Consider stakeholders

   When making project decisions , If no one represents the stakeholders when making decisions , They may make decisions that do not consider their interests .

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Two 、 Common pitfalls in project decision-making

Whether it is technology selection or , Or other project decisions , Often encounter some pits , If you are not careful, you will step on it .

1. Take the opinions you hear as facts

   Everyone has his own point of view, no problem , But you can't take opinions as facts , Especially before making decisions , At least it needs to be verified .

2. first impressions are strongest , Find evidence when you have a conclusion

   When making technology selection or project decision , Another problem is that there may be an answer in my heart , The later so-called decision , It's just looking for evidence that helps you answer .

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3、 ... and 、 How to do a good job in technology selection ？

For technology selection, including project decision-making problems , We can divide it into ： Problem definition 、 research 、 verification 、 Decision making These stages .

1. Problem definition

   In the problem definition stage , Two questions need to be clarified ： Why do we need technology selection ？ What is the goal of technology selection ？

   

2. research

   After clarifying the goal of technology selection , You can research , See which technology selection can meet the goal , Include Open source solutions and commercial solutions .

3. verification

   Is a technology suitable , If you don't understand , If it has not been applied , It is necessary to use it in practice . Through a small rapid prototyping project , Quickly make a prototype with candidate technical solutions , Only in the process can we know , Does the technology selection you choose really meet the goal of technology selection .

4. Decision making

   After the research and verification , You can bring all stakeholders together , There will be a meeting to review the research results of the selected scheme , Let everyone put forward their own opinions , Make the final decision .

   If you encounter a very tangled situation , The person in charge of decision-making is needed to make a decision , At this time, there is not necessarily right or wrong , The point is to make a choice , Then follow your choice . Sometimes I hesitate to choose 、 No decision is the worst result .

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Four 、 Other excerpts

• Only when the goal of technology selection is clear , Can there be a standard to judge which scheme to choose .
• Must admit , For technology selection , There is uncertainty . Even through the above process , It is also possible to make wrong decisions . But there is a scientific process , At least it can guarantee to improve the probability of making correct decisions .
• At the end of the project , We should also summarize the previous technology selection and project decision , Constantly improve the mechanism of technology selection and project decision , Help make better decisions in the future .

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summary

Technology selection , It is essentially a kind of project decision , It also conforms to some characteristics of project decision . in other words , The choice of technology selection should be subject to the scope 、 Time and cost constraints , Analyze the feasibility and risk , Consider stakeholders . There are also some pits to be avoided carefully , For example, we should avoid taking the opinions we hear as facts , To verify ; Avoid preconceived ideas , Don't look for evidence when you have a conclusion .

Technology selection , Don't get too tangled , Be brave in decision-making , Choose to implement firmly .