When should teams adopt Dependency management, and when should they avoid it?

Dependency management is a critical aspect of software development that helps teams organize, maintain, and update the libraries and tools their applications rely on. However, there are specific situations when adopting dependency management practices is beneficial and when they may introduce unnecessary complexity. Here’s a guide to help teams make informed decisions.

When to Adopt Dependency Management

• Large Projects: For projects that have several components or modules, dependency management helps maintain clarity and organization.
• Multiple External Dependencies: If your application relies on various external libraries or services, a dependency manager simplifies version control and updates.
• Collaboration: In teams with multiple developers, using dependency management ensures everyone is on the same page regarding library versions.

When to Avoid Dependency Management

• Small or Simple Projects: For minimal projects with only a few components, dependency management may add unnecessary overhead.
• Frequent Changes: If your project is in a constant state of flux, frequent updates to dependencies could create instability.
• Limited Resources: Smaller teams may struggle to maintain dependency management systems and workflows.

Example of Dependency Management in PHP