A technical audit is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s technology infrastructure. The objective is to identify weaknesses and strengths within the tech stack, and ensure it aligns with your goals for business. This is a vital step to consider prior to beginning any new project. It also provides valuable information about how the technology will perform.
Tech audits are different than IT reviews and security assessments that are focused on assessing systems to ensure compliance and security. Tech audits examine all the tools your organization employs for work, their efficiency in terms of cost, efficiency, and integration with other go now technologies.
The details of a technology audit will depend on the person conducting the review. It can be requested by the CFO, who wishes to cut down on software costs, or by a team of leaders looking to be more productive and agile.
A tech stack audit typically reveals that different tools are utilized to accomplish the same task. For example, engineering might make use of Jira and marketing teams utilize Asana and Wrike. The data doesn’t flow freely between departments, and there is no one source of information.
Un-sanctioned apps are also frequently employed by specific teams or departments. While some of them can be beneficial and have value, they could also pose a risk particularly if they’re not vetted for security and integration with other technologies. An audit of technology can give leaders a clear picture of what these tools are and how they are employed, allowing them to decide whether they should be integrated into the larger technology stack.
