Factors for Choosing a Tech Stack
By: Ayo Oladele
Tags: Mobile App Development, Software Engineering, Software Development, Programming, Web Development

Tech stack is consequential because it’s what you use for creating software programs. Thus, don’t underestimate the essence of research and analysis to select the right set of tools.

A wrong choice of technologies can cause you the loss of money, time, and other valuable resources for your project. A sound business analyst and well-experienced developers are needed to avoid pitfalls when choosing your tech stack.

Here’s the list of necessities to consider when choosing a purposeful tech stack.

Defining the Platform

What are the expectations of the project? This is an important pointer. Without an understanding of what you expect from the project, choosing a stack is a futile move.

At this point, you should ask yourself who are my target audience. How they will use your app, when, and where. What is the popular active device among them? Is it a mobile phone or a regular computer?

For instance, a web application requires a totally different set of tools and frameworks from a mobile app. Even within mobile applications, the tech stacks you need for Android and iOS development are different.

You should then plan based on your answers, decide if you need a single or multi-platform solution to choose the best tech stack to use. Keep it in mind that if you are making an MVP first. It is better to make it on the prominent platform popular among your target users to save costs and get user feedback.

It doesn’t matter if it’s going to be a mobile or web application. MVP is vital to the success of a project and the development process. After defining the platform, consider all functional and non-functional parameters that are essential for the project launch. A set of well-defined requirements for MVP will finger the tools you need to reach your aim and the additional tech stack you may need for the market version.

Defining the Project Type

After you cross the bridge of defining the platform, you still have more analysis to make in choosing your tech stack. You will be considering the project based on its size and complexity, processing strength, and business goals. For example, if your application involves multiprocessing or requires low latency for better responsiveness, then you must consider the relative tech stack that provides such support.

Small Projects

They are usually fast to deliver due to simple requirements and usually can be implemented with less sophisticated technologies like CMS or WordPress in the case of web projects.

Mid-Size Projects

For mid-size projects, there is a higher level of technological commitment. They may call for the use of several combinations of programming languages and tools depending on requirements and platforms. Such projects require technologies that provide more sophisticated and diverse functionalities and integrations.

Complex Projects

If you intend to create a social network, online marketplace, CRM, or order management system, then you are looking at a complex project. The combination of multiple programming languages is inevitable for such. This is just like the case of a mid-size project but with more complex features. You need several functions, integrations, and more sophistication, hence, your tech stack must be of a high level.

Scalability Requirements

The role of a tech stack in the scalability of an application is to make provision for the increase in users and functions. Your developers should make a choice of the tech stack that will make room for new engaging features, user growth, and seasonal rise in the number of users.

Your provision for scalability must cover horizontal scaling which involves several application servers running at the same time to handle the flow of user traffic, as well as vertical scaling for the inclusion of more programs to process new data types. Scaling horizontally and vertically will protect your application from crashing when the stormy days come.

Technology and Team Expertise

You need to weigh the expertise of your team and use it as a basis to judge your choice of the tech stack, except you are looking to outsource. Developers usually have the command of some programming languages and tools more than others, so it all balls down to how skillful your team is.

You have to be certain your team can successfully follow through with the use of a tech stack, or else, there is no need to use such a stack. To avoid employing an expert to cover up for the technology your team lacks, you can train them.

That is if you have the luxury of time; but if you are pressed by deadline just outsource the project. Therefore, it is paramount to match the skills and experience of your team and see that it matches the choice of technology.

Also, try to ensure your choice of tech has a big developer community and the availability of reference documents such as it is on Github and Stackoverflow. This would help your team not to get stranded on a tool or technology.

Maintenance

You need to consider that your team must be able to maintain the application after it is released. This is the next lane after you have developed your app, and it is related to your choice of tech stack too.

Codebase

Your choice of tech stack should be motivated by software architecture and existing codebase if you want feasible maintenance. Try choosing languages that are effective with short, reusable, and easy-to-maintain codes. Your codebase should be simple and of average length. It helps developers to spend a short interval of time in trying to review, debug, and process the codes.

Software Architecture

Software architecture is a key player for enabling scalability, portability, and reusability of applications. Your choice of tech stack should be guided by your software architecture. Based on this, you should consider technologies that enable both static and dynamic component configurations. It makes the performance of the application seamless, even when users increase or you add more engaging features.

The Cost Implication of Tech Stack

Money makes the world go round they say. Besides, nothing comes for free. On the contrary, there are several popular open-source IT frameworks and tools that are free.

However, they come with subscription fees if you will need some special or advanced features. You might need to pay for licensing, and there is also the cost of maintenance. The choice of tech stack can lean on all these factors.

Furthermore, some tech stacks demand high-salary for their developers, so you need to consider that too. You might also have to look at the cost of training developers for a particular tech if it is an option. The tug of war is between the overall cost of using a tech stack and the effectiveness of its features.

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