Slide 20: Technology Selection Framework

FRAMEWORK FOR TECHNOLOGY SELECTION:

TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES TO CONSIDER:

OPEN SOURCE (FOSS - Free and Open Source Software)

  • Community-driven development
  • Transparency and auditability
  • No vendor lock-in
  • Examples: Kubernetes, Terraform, Linux
  • Lifecycle: Often Leading Edge → Mainstream quickly
  • Best for: Innovation, flexibility, avoiding lock-in

GOVERNMENT/ENTERPRISE SPECIFIC

  • Built for specific regulatory environments
  • Mission-specific requirements
  • Compliance-focused
  • Examples: FedRAMP-approved solutions, industry-specific tools
  • Lifecycle: Varies, often longer support cycles
  • Best for: Compliance-heavy environments

COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF (COTS)

  • Vendor-supported products
  • Rapid capability delivery
  • Professional support and SLAs
  • Examples: Enterprise platforms, commercial cloud services
  • Lifecycle: Vendor-dependent, typically Mainstream
  • Best for: Predictable support, rapid deployment

CUSTOM/BESPOKE DEVELOPMENT

  • Tailored to specific needs
  • Full control and ownership
  • Flexibility to modify and extend
  • Lifecycle: Controlled internally
  • Best for: Unique requirements, competitive advantage

"BEST TOOL FOR THE JOB" PHILOSOPHY:

We don't mandate a single category. Evaluate based on:

  • ✓ Mission requirements and constraints
  • ✓ Lifecycle position and trajectory
  • ✓ Support availability and commitments
  • ✓ User adoption implications
  • ✓ Total cost of ownership
  • ✓ Long-term sustainability
  • ✓ Integration with existing systems
  • ✓ Talent availability

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