Boring Technology Club

Questions & Answers

What is "Choose Boring Technology"?

"Choose Boring Technology" is an essay and talk by Dan McKinley advocating for the strategic use of established, well-understood technologies in software development. It argues that innovation resources are limited and should be directed towards a company's unique problems, not its foundational tech stack.

Who should read or listen to the "Choose Boring Technology" essay?

This essay is primarily for software developers, engineering managers, and startup founders who need to make technology stack decisions. It offers a perspective on balancing developer happiness, innovation, and operational stability.

How does the "Choose Boring Technology" philosophy differ from adopting cutting-edge technologies?

It directly contrasts with the tendency to adopt new, exciting technologies for their own sake. McKinley's philosophy suggests that novelty in technology consumes valuable "innovation tokens" that are better spent on solving core business problems, leading to more predictable outcomes and happier developers.

When should I apply the principles of "Choose Boring Technology" in my projects?

Apply these principles when building critical infrastructure, establishing a new company's technology foundation, or whenever resources for innovation are scarce. It's particularly relevant when the goal is stability, maintainability, and predictable delivery, rather than technological exploration.

What is an "innovation token" in the context of this essay?

An "innovation token" is a metaphorical construct introduced in the essay representing a team's limited capacity for creativity, weirdness, or difficulty. The essay suggests that companies have a finite number of these tokens, and spending them on non-core technological experimentation is often wasteful.