The Three Groups
Web technology doesn't exist in a vacuum. Three groups of people (plus a fourth) shape every technology decision:
| Group | Cares About | Common Conflict |
|---|---|---|
| Developers | Clean code, modern tools, developer experience, interesting problems | May over-engineer or choose tools for resume appeal rather than user benefit |
| Owners | Cost, time-to-market, reliability, compliance, ROI | May cut corners, resist upgrades, or choose "safe" legacy technologies |
| Users | Speed, ease of use, accessibility, privacy, getting the task done | Rarely consulted directly; their needs are often assumed rather than measured |