Application modernization has become a crucial initiative for businesses striving to stay competitive. In a recent Red Hat survey of 600 IT decision-makers, leaders reported plans for more than half of their companies’ custom applications to be modernized within the next year.
As organizations embark on modernization journeys, it is imperative that they make informed decisions that maximize efficiency and deliver tangible results. Here are four critical things to keep in mind as you embark on your own application modernization journey:
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1. Perform an App Modernization Assessment
Numerous factors come into play when plotting an app modernization strategy: business objectives, technology landscape, resource constraints and more. Conducting comprehensive assessments enables businesses to gain a holistic understanding of their existing applications, identify critical pain points and establish roadmaps. A full application inventory, complete with a clear definition of each app’s business value, can help you avoid duplication and clarify how applications fit into your organization’s long-term strategy.
2. Don’t Neglect Source Code Analysis
It’s common for organizations to underestimate the significance of analyzing existing application source code. Failing to assess the code base thoroughly can lead to unexpected challenges, such as dependencies, technical debt and outdated frameworks, causing delays, increasing costs and undermining modernization efforts. Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the source code provides vital insights into the existing application architecture, potential risks and areas that require attention.
3. Run an Automated Application Portfolio Analysis
Automated application portfolio analysis offers a transformative alternative to the traditional approach to portfolio analysis, which can involve numerous meetings, phone calls and email exchanges with team members. Automated tools and techniques allow organizations to efficiently assess their application portfolios, gain actionable insights and accelerate the decision-making process. Automation reduces the burden on employees and frees up valuable time and resources for other critical tasks.
4. Rationalize and Prioritize Apps, Then Decide on Tech
In a well-planned application modernization project, technology decisions should be the final step in the process, after rationalization and prioritization. Rationalization involves evaluating the suitability of each application for modernization, considering factors such as business value, complexity and alignment with strategic goals. Prioritization ensures that resources are allocated to projects with the highest potential for positive impact. By following this approach, organizations can avoid investing in technology prematurely and make informed decisions that maximize ROI.
