My company’s CTO suddenly decided that he wants to rebuild an important part of our software by buying and integrating with a certain BigCo solution. At one point, a document circulated and explained that our current software is not able to extend, scale, support new clients, etc, therefore the BigCo integration will be the way to go.
I am a senior engineer with a lot of experience in and of of this company and I seem to be the only one vocal about these problems: - nobody actually attempted to evaluate the existing solutions that are in production and working well - the development process is completely backwards. First, he decided on a vendor, then the senior management is working backwards to a solution based on the vendor, then some use cases are slowly popping out, and then a problem statement is written when someone is finally asking for it formally. There is no user or market research - There are many drawbacks to the solution, and almost no advantages - The cost of the proposed solution (including outside consultants) is very large. There is no clear benefit even on the long term, with huge delays and costs on the short term. It could bring down the whole company
In private conversations there is some skepticism on the solution, even suspicion of conflict of interest, but nobody is standing up to the CTO challenging this solution and his choice of the vendor. The CTO is known to be stubborn and authoritarian, so in these tough times for job seekers nobody is taking any risks. I am many levels below the CTO and all of of my attempts to raise concerns are quickly silenced by all the senior management I am interacting with.
Playing along feels safe but also horrible from a moral point of view. I could not keep my head up with friends or family if I do not escalate this. But how? To the CEO, to HR, to the board? What are the legal/employment implications?
"I could not keep my head up with friends or family if I do not escalate this"
Really? As you noted, you're many levels below the CTO. Why would the CTO's decision affect your ability to be in harmony with your friends & family? This indicates you have far too much emotional attachment to your work. Remember, you work for a business and at the end of the day that business is going to make decisions irrespective of how you feel about them. You should document and communicate your concerns in a non-combative way and then move on. Invite the CTO for a coffee to talk over the decision from their perspective, again not so you can combat them on it but so you can understand where they are coming from. If you can't come to understand and accept their decision and/or if you truly believe the CTO is immoral then it's time for you to find another job, fighting them in this one will very likely get you nowhere.