A technical audit is an assessment of the technology infrastructure of an organisation. The aim is to find weaknesses and strengths in the technology stack and to ensure that it's aligned with business goals. This is a vital step to consider prior to beginning an exciting new project. It provides invaluable find out here insight into how technology will perform.
Tech audits are distinct from IT reviews and security assessments which are focused on assessing the systems' security and compliance. Tech audits look at all the tools your organization uses for work, their efficiency cost, as well as integrations with different technologies.
The details of a tech review will depend on the person who is conducting it. It could be requested by a CFO who is trying to cut the cost of software, or it may be driven by a leadership team who want to be more efficient and agile.
A tech stack audit often will reveal that different tools are utilized for the same functions. For example, engineering might make use of Jira, while marketing teams may use Asana and Wrike. The result is that the data isn't flowing smoothly across departments and creating a single source of truth.
Un-sanctioned applications are also commonly utilized by specific departments or teams. While some of them can be useful and add value, they can also pose a risk when they're not vetted for security and integrations with other technology. A tech audit gives leadership visibility into the tools they use and how they're utilized and helps determine if they are a part of the overall technology stack.