Application Rationalization Guide: A Proven 6-Step Framework
This application rationalization guide delivers a proven 6-step framework to assess application value, reduce portfolio sprawl, and improve alignment between IT systems and business strategy. It includes tools for scoring applications, evaluating total cost of ownership, and building future-state migration plans. Use this to drive modernization and long-term IT efficiency.
Application portfolios often grow quietly, leading to a tangled web of overlapping technologies. This complexity can drag down agility, siphon budgets, and complicate modernization initiatives. As organisations recognise the strategic liability posed by software sprawl, it becomes crucial to adopt a disciplined approach to managing application assets.
The guide introduces a six-step framework that begins with governance and scoping, followed by building a complete inventory of existing applications. Applications are evaluated based on business value, technical fit, and total cost of ownership through a data-backed scoring methodology.
This performance-oriented approach is iterative, scalable, and aligns with strategic goals. It includes practical tools like sample questionnaires, scoring templates, and case studies that outline the application of these principles for measurable impact.
Key Points
- A structured six-step framework for application rationalization, from scoping to migration strategy.
- Comprehensive methodology for evaluating applications based on business value, technical fit, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Practical tools such as questionnaires, scoring models, and inventory templates.
- Governance models and stakeholder engagement strategies for informed decision-making across the organisation.
- Real-world case studies illustrating successful application rationalization efforts.
Why should I read this?
This article serves as a practical blueprint for CIOs and IT leaders looking to bring strategic clarity to fragmented IT environments. By offering a methodical process for identifying, evaluating, and managing enterprise applications, it helps technology leaders reduce complexity, unlock savings, and realign IT assets with organisational goals. The guidance is vital for those facing pressure to control costs and enhance digital transformation efforts.
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