evaluating-new-technology

Evaluate emerging technology by first clarifying the problem, assessing the technology's maturity and integration risk, then applying actionable decision criteria to choose between build or buy. This framework covers total cost of ownership and vendor selection.

Assessing technology maturity involves analyzing integration risk, total cost of ownership, and modular architecture fit. This framework provides principles to evaluate vendor tools and platform decisions, mitigating risk during architecture refactors.

Frame the problem by identifying the specific product team requirements and constraints before evaluating AI vendors. Clarifying the problem ensures the vendor evaluation process targets actual needs rather than emerging technology features.

Yes, the framework applies to both custom development and vendor tool selections. It guides build vs buy strategies across AI and non-AI tech, covering architecture decisions, tool selections, and risk mitigation for product teams.

Avoid a build strategy when emerging technology maturity is low or integration risk outweighs custom development benefits. Applying modular architecture planning and total cost of ownership criteria helps determine when vendor selection is safer.