A technical audit is an evaluation of the technology infrastructure of an organization. The goal is identify weaknesses and strengths within the tech stack and make sure it’s in line with your goals for business. This is an essential step before launching a new venture and provides an important insight into how the technology will work.
Tech audits are distinct from IT reviews and security assessments which are focused on assessing the systems’ security and compliance. Tech audits look at every tool your company employs to perform its work, their efficiency as well as their costs and integrations with different technologies.
The details of a technology review will depend on the person who is conducting it. It can be requested by a CFO who is trying to cut the cost of software or driven by a leadership team seeking to be more flexible and productive.
A tech stack audit usually will reveal that different tools are employed for the same functions. For example, engineering might make use of Jira, while marketing teams use Asana and Wrike. Data doesn’t flow smoothly between departments, and there’s no one source of information.
These applications are often employed by specific teams or departments. Some of these apps may be useful and add value but they can also be a risk, particularly when integrations and security are not checked. A tech audit provides the leadership with an understanding of these tools and the way they are used to determine if they are a part of the larger technology stack.
