Every organization needs a dependable tech stack— a complete tech package that helps to develop, deploy, monitor, and test software effectively. The requirement of software projects comes in different sizes and complexities. It varies from web application development to mobile application development. The need of the hour is never the same. Some software projects demand interactive UI and user-friendliness, scalability, speed, and simplicity.
As per one report, revenue in the software market is projected to reach USD 91.6bn in 2028. This shows that digitization and automation are increasing the demand for a technology stack that builds efficient software-based solutions. In this fast-paced technological environment, choosing the right technology stack is more important than ever.
According to the Standish Group’s 2020 CHAOS report, approximately 66% of all software projects fail. Reason? Poor project management, wrong choice of the stack, poor communication, and unclear requirement leads.
In this blog, we’ll highlight What is a Technology Stack?, Why Does Your Organization Need a Tech Stack? and valuable insights and tips to choose the right technology stack for your next project based on current trends and best practices.
What is a Technology Stack?
A technology stack is a collection of tools, programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and third-party software developers use to make software applications. The tech stack for a software application is divided into two main components: the client-side or front-end, and the server-side or back-end.
The front end is responsible for the user interface that enables users to interact with the application. It ensures a positive user experience.
The back end ensures that all features function correctly, comprising programming languages, server-side frameworks, operating systems, databases, and APIs. It also includes business logic, hosting, and deployments.
Middleware acts as a mediator between the front end and back end, connecting the two layers. It facilitates communication between two or more frameworks, applications, or components. It consists of app servers, web servers, content management systems, and other tools that support app development and delivery.
The technology stack acts as the foundation for the application. If chosen wisely, it can contribute significantly to the app's success.
Why Does Your Organization Need a Tech Stack?
To ensure a smooth and efficient software development life cycle (SDLC), a well-planned tech stack is crucial. From the planning stage to post-development activities, such as testing and deployment, every stage of the SDLC requires a specific set of tools and technologies.
Here are four reasons why you need a tech stack:
- During the planning stage, the development teams, designers, research teams, sales, and marketing teams have to collaborate. A tech stack facilitates this collaboration, enabling efficient communication and teamwork.
- In the design and development stages, a tech stack is essential for both front-end and back-end development. It enables developers to choose the
most suitable technologies and tools to create a high-quality software product with high-end security. - Post-development activities like testing, staging, and deployment also require a specific tech stack to ensure a smooth and error-free process.
- To select the right tools and technologies for each stage of the SDLC, it is important to have knowledge of different tech stack components. With the right tech stack in place, custom software development can be an enjoyable and productive process that delivers effective solutions to complex business problems.
How to Choose the Right Tech Stack for Your Next Software Product?
Building software that is as amazing as you have prototyped requires a careful selection of the tech stack for the project. It is very important to align your technology stack opportunities with your software development project requirements. Adopting a programming language and framework won’t suffice in every case. There are a plethora of factors to look at while choosing a technology stack for your project.
Here are five points to help you make the right choice:
1. Look for an existing solution.
When choosing the technology stack for your project, it's important to consider existing solutions that you can build on top of. This can save you time, money, and resources in the long run, and help you focus on your project's unique features and functionality.
One option is to use low-code tools like Bubble. These tools provide a visual interface for building applications without having to write code. They come with pre-built templates, widgets, and integrations that you can use to create custom applications with less effort. A low-code tool like Bubble is a great option if your project does not require much customization.
On the other hand, if you decide to build from scratch, check for existing open-source projects that you can use.
2. Choose a tech stack at your team's convenience.
Opting for a technology that you or your team are already familiar with can save you time and resources in the long run. It will also boost your efficiency.
For instance, if you or your team have extensive experience with Ruby on Rails, it might make sense to use this technology stack for your web development projects. Familiarity with the nuances and quirks of the technology will make it easier for your team to resolve any issues that arise.
3. Consider the availability of talent when choosing your technology stack.
When selecting a technology stack for your project, it is important to consider the availability of talent with the required skill set. Choosing a less popular or niche technology stack may limit the number of developers available to work on your project, making it difficult to find the right talent.
For example, if you decide to use a specialized tool or framework that is not widely adopted or has limited documentation, it may be challenging to find developers who are familiar with it. This can slow down your project and increase costs as you may have to invest time and resources in training new team members.
4. Prefer a popular technology that has community support.
Look for a technology with a mature ecosystem or a robust community that can offer several advantages. These advantages include stability, reliability, and access to a wealth of resources and expertise.
For example, a technology stack like React, which boasts a large and active community, grants access to a broad range of libraries, tools, and resources. This aids in developing your project quickly and efficiently.
5. Maximize efficiency by minimizing variable management.
You must look for solutions to tackle the complexities of variable management. This will free up your time and resources to focus on more important tasks. One popular solution is embedding third-party tools into workflows that ensure quality in your forms. These tools also come with user-friendly interfaces and several useful features.
For example, instead of building a custom form from scratch, you can embed a service like Typeform. It offers an intuitive interface and robust variable management features. By leveraging such a service, you can save time and effort in building and managing forms.
Selecting the right technology stack for software projects requires careful consideration of various factors such as project requirements, budget, scalability, and security. A thorough analysis of the above-mentioned factors will help you to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and objectives. Also, it is very crucial to stay updated with emerging technologies and trends to ensure that your chosen technology stack remains relevant and efficient in the long run.
Tip: It's better to extend the timeline of your software delivery, instead of choosing the wrong technology stack in chaos.