For many development teams, tools are more than just software - they’re the engine driving every project, sprint, and release. Yet, our data shows that the decision to purchase new tools often lies not with the developers but with the leadership team, whose insights and strategies shape the tech stack. So, how exactly are CEOs, CTOs, and other technology leaders involved in deciding on the tools that will power their teams?
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the involvement of technology leaders in tool selection, comparing their influence to other technology professionals within their organisations. We’ll also explore how factors like software development experience and company revenue affect their role in decision-making. With revenue often linked to organisational complexity and resources, understanding these dynamics provides a clearer picture of how management shapes the tools that teams use.
This blog post is based on data collected in the 27th edition of SlashData’s Developer Nation survey, which reached more than 9,000 respondents from 130+ countries worldwide. In this blog post, we look at over 6,500 technology professionals working for organisations with two or more employees, more than 1,500 of whom identify themselves with management roles.
The role of tech leaders vs other tech professionals in tool buying decisions
When we break down involvement across four main roles within organisations - technical, non-technical, management, and IT operations - there are some notable differences. The technical professionals are the least involved in overall selection or purchase decisions, with 14% reporting no involvement at all. Meanwhile, managers are more involved, especially when it comes to approval of the overall team budget (28%), approval of expenses on tools and components (32%), and final selection decisions (50%).
IT operations professionals are more likely to be responsible for final tool selection than their technical peers
The management group includes tech/engineering team leads, CIO/CTO/IT managers, and CEOs. Of these, CIO/CTO/IT roles are the most influential in making the final tool selection, approving expenses, and determining the budget for developer tools. For instance, 67% of CIO/CTO/IT managers make the final decision on tool selection for their teams, compared to 59% of CEOs and only 36% of tech leads.
67% of CIO/CTO/IT managers make the final selection decision for team/company tools
This pattern highlights that managers drive final decisions, balancing functionality with budget and strategic goals. Recognising this influence, SlashData has now expanded its market research efforts to focus more on CEOs, CTOs, and other C-level executives, providing insights tailored to these decision-makers and their unique priorities in shaping technology strategy.
How experience in software development shapes tech leaders’ involvement in tool selection
Involvement in tool selection and budget decisions isn’t solely determined by role - it’s also shaped by experience. Managers' involvement in tool selection decisions increases with experience in software development, especially for key decision-making activities.
Leaders with over five years of experience are the most actively involved, particularly in making recommendations (54%) and final selection decisions (52%) for team or company tools. This suggests that seasoned leaders leverage their expertise to guide important tool choices, balancing strategic needs with practical insights from years in the field.
This trend also extends to budget-related decisions. Executives with extensive experience are more likely to set the overall team budget for developer tools (30%) than beginners in the field (19%). The proportion of involvement in approving expenses and overall budget climbs steadily with experience, highlighting a likely correlation between tenure and budgetary authority. This pattern paints a clear picture of how experience shapes managers’ role in building a company’s tech stack.
How company revenue shapes tech leaders’ involvement in developer tool buying decisions
Understanding how revenue impacts tech leaders’ involvement in tool selection is essential, as financial resources often dictate the complexity of decision-making processes. Our data shows that tech leaders’ level of involvement in tool selection and budget decisions generally increases as company revenue grows. In smaller companies (monthly revenue up to $5,000), tech leaders’ involvement in tool selection is limited, which is true for other role categories as well, potentially suggesting limited resources.
However, as revenue increases, tech leaders become more actively involved, particularly in making recommendations and making final decisions. This suggests that companies with higher revenue likely have more complex needs, requiring executive input to ensure tool choices align with strategic goals.
For instance, around 46% of tech leaders in companies generating over $50,000 monthly are involved in approving expenses on tools and components, compared to only 23% in companies with a monthly revenue of up to $5,000. Similarly, around 62% of tech leaders in companies with over $50,000 in monthly revenue make final selection decisions for company tools, compared to 45% of those with a monthly revenue of up to $5,000.
62% of tech leaders in companies earning at least $50,000 monthly are involved in making final tool selection decisions
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About the author
Bleona Bicaj, Senior Market Research Analyst
Bleona Bicaj is a behavioral specialist, enthusiastic about data and behavioral science. She holds a Master's degree from Leiden University in Economic and Consumer Psychology. She has more than 6 years of professional experience as an analyst in the data analysis and market research industry.