Tools, Frameworks & Implementation Proficiency Topics
Practical proficiency with industry-standard tools and frameworks including project management (Jira, Azure DevOps), productivity tools (Excel, spreadsheet analysis), development tools and environments, and framework setup. Focuses on hands-on tool expertise, configuration, best practices, and optimization rather than conceptual knowledge. Complements technical categories by addressing implementation tooling.
Technology Stack and Tooling
Focuses on familiarity with common technologies and the rationale for choosing them. Includes knowledge of databases both relational and nonrelational, caching layers, message queues, containerization and orchestration, monitoring and logging tools, continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines, and cloud versus on premise tradeoffs. Candidates should understand the role each tool plays in a system, when to adopt a technology based on system requirements and constraints, and tradeoffs in terms of operational complexity, cost, performance and team capability.
Technology Evaluation and Selection
Focuses on evaluating technology options and selecting appropriate platforms or vendors. Key skills include defining business and technical requirements, creating evaluation criteria and decision matrices, running proof of concept trials, assessing total cost of ownership and vendor lock in, validating integration feasibility and operational impact, ensuring security and compliance, planning staged rollouts and migrations, and documenting governance for adoption. Interviewers may probe examples of build versus buy decisions and how pilots were used to de risk technology choices.