The INGKA Technology Radar is a list of technologies, complemented by an assessment result,
called
ring assignment. It describes different states
that
items can be in, descriptions and the rationale on why it's placed in a specific state. It's
also describes what technology and practices to avoid.
What is the purpose?
The Tech Radar is a tool to inspire and support our Digital Business at Ingka to pick the best technologies for new development. It provides a platform to share knowledge and experience in technologies, and to reflect strategic direction and technology decisions that has been made to support the totality of the company.How is it maintained?
The Tech Radar is maintained by a group of senior technologists, who meets on a regular basis to evolve the radar based on recent industry trends and company decisons.We use four rings with the following semantics:
ADOPT
— Technologies
we have high confidence in to serve our purpose, also in large scale. Technologies with a usage
culture
in our INGKA production environment, low risk and recommended to be widely used.
TRIAL
—
Technologies that we have seen work with success in project work to solve a real problem; first
serious
usage experience that confirm benefits and can uncover limitations. TRIAL technologies are slightly
more
risky; some engineers in our organization walked this path and will share knowledge and experiences.
ASSESS
—
Technologies that are promising and have clear potential value-add for us; technologies worth to
invest
some research and prototyping efforts in to see if it has impact. ASSESS technologies have higher
risks;
they are often brand new and highly unproven in our organisation.
HOLD
—
Technologies not recommended to be used for new projects. HOLD technologies should not be used for
new
projects, should be avoided, but usually can in some circumstances be used for existing projects
already
using this technology. HOLD also includes technologies that are being phased out.
Every item placed on the radar is marked with a strategic label. The lables can be Fixed,
Firm
or Flexible.
The three F's is a way to clarify how we should use technology and practices that exists on the
Technology Radar. The intention with these labels
are to highlight the importance of a certain technology or practice from a strategic point of
view
for Ingka and IKEA as a whole.
The definition of Fixed, Firm, Flexible are as follows:
FIXED
— In the
context of INGKA Technology Standards FIXED means that standards that fall under this category is
decided, mandatory for all to adhere to, and will not be changed easily. They are standards that are
critical for INGKA and IKEA as a whole, to function from a technology perspective.
FIRM
— In the
context of INGKA Technology Standards FIRM means that standards that falls under this category is
decided, part of a solid foundation, that we build on but can be changed more easily. It can also be
diverted from if the need is there and we document why.
FLEXIBLE
— In the
context of INGKA Technology Standards FLEXIBLE means that standards that falls under this category
is
best practice, recommendations, things that we know from experience and industry best practice to
work
well for INGKA.