When does MCP make sense?

Bill Doerrfeld | September 11, 2025

When does using MCP make sense? My latest for The New Stack cuts through the hype to answer this loaded question head-on.


The general consensus is that MCP is a "force multiplier" for indeterministic workflows, novel integrations, and giving AI coding agents context on the fly.


But for more predictable automation, typical CLI commands or API integrations are going to be more reliable in the long run. Anything else is probably overengineering.


Also, one key best practice: You shouldn't be mapping APIs one-to-one — MCP tools should model user intents and consider natural language.


My piece goes a bit deeper and looks at some emerging MCP server success stories at GitHub, Atlassian, Red Hat, and beyond.


This is definitely an evolving area, but I hope this piece tries to make sense of when it's best to put MCP to use!

Read: When Is MCP Actually Worth It?
Overhead view of construction site with workers in orange vests, metal beams, and dark concrete.

Finding business leverage with multiple agents

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 30, 2025
For my latest DirectorPlus column with LeadDev, I synced with JB Brown, VP of engineering at Smartsheet, to learn about their multi-agent AI development strategy.
Pink and purple sunset sky with dark, fluffy clouds.

Alternative clouds are having a moment

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 25, 2025
Alternative clouds are having a moment. Nearly 75% of orgs are using two or more alt clouds beyond the hyperscalers, according to a HostingAdvice.com report.
Digital global CIOs digital sovereignty

Digital sovereignty is now impossible to ignore

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 20, 2025
The cloud is no longer borderless. Rising regional data laws and sovereign cloud mandates are forcing CIOs to act.
A

Multi-agent AI workflows reshape the developer's day-to-day

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 11, 2025
In a multi-agent coding workflow, an engineer leads a "team" of specialist AI agents to perform various SDLC tasks: scaffolding, coding, testing, log analysis, deployment, and more.
Open source software churn end of life

When critical open source goes end of life...

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 8, 2025
Open-source software churn is accelerating. With more frequent version end-of-lives and even total project abandonments, it's harder than ever to keep up.
Hype drives most programming language igrationsigra

Most language migrations are driven by hype

By Bill Doerrfeld • July 30, 2025
I covered a report from HostingAdvice.com, which found that the majority of programming language migrations are driven by hype, instead of proven outcomes.
Cross-functional teams help Stack Overflow adapt LeadDev DirectorPlus 2025

Can Stack Overflow keep pace with AI disruption?

By Bill Doerrfeld • July 28, 2025
Facing an existential crisis, Stack Overflow has had to pivot quickly. I synced with a director to discover what team strategies are helping them adapt.
System Initiative feature InfoWorld doerrfeld

System Initiative: a radical overhaul of infrastructure automation

By Bill Doerrfeld • July 14, 2025
System Initiative aims to replace the toil of maintaining config files with a data-based digital twin and visual modeling engine. An engine for DevOps, if you will.
CIOs describe why AI agents need APIs

Without APIs, agentic AI is all talk

By Bill Doerrfeld • July 10, 2025
My latest feature on CIO.com explores why CIOs view APIs as a critical linchpin to realize success with agentic AI. Learn what it'll all take.
AI tooling directorplus doerrfeld one year

Celebrating a year of DirectorPlus

By Bill Doerrfeld • June 30, 2025
A year into the DirectorPlus newsletter, I check back in with past guests on how their organizations are approaching AI tooling strategies.