documentation-template

A spike documentation template provides a standardized format to record technical approach evaluations, including problem definition, implementation approaches, metrics, findings, and data-driven recommendations. This ensures consistent reporting across teams and makes results discoverable for future decisions.

Document hypotheses, prototypes implemented within 1-2 hours, measured metrics like latency and throughput, lines of code, dependencies, and risks for each approach. Include your final recommendation with rationale so stakeholders understand the evidence behind your choice.

Use a spike template when multiple viable technical approaches exist but performance characteristics, integration complexity, or trade-offs are unknown—such as evaluating real-time communication frameworks, state management libraries, image optimization strategies, or authentication systems.

Structure findings by approach, listing implementation details, measured performance metrics, dependency counts, and identified risks. Then summarize findings into a clear recommendation section that explains why one approach best fits your requirements.

Yes. The template enables consistent formatting and sharing of spike documentation, making technical evaluations transparent and reusable so other teams can reference findings without repeating the same research.