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 modernisation and long-term IT efficiency.
Application portfolios often grow quietly. Systems added over time can create a tangled web of overlapping technologies that hinder agility and escalate costs. As organisations come to recognise the strategic liability of software sprawl, the need for a disciplined approach becomes crucial. This guide aims to fill the gap by introducing a methodical framework that assesses and optimises application ecosystems.
The process begins with establishing governance and scoping, followed by building a complete inventory of applications. Applications are then evaluated based on their business value and total cost of ownership using a standardised methodology for data-backed decisions. The framework is iterative and scalable, considering dependencies and integrating future-state planning—essentially a roadmap for cloud adoption or cost recovery.
Key Points
- A structured six-step framework for application rationalisation, covering governance, inventory, and migration strategy.
- Comprehensive methodology for evaluating applications based on business value, technical fit, and total cost of ownership.
- Practical tools such as questionnaires, scoring models, and inventory templates to aid the rationalisation process.
- Governance models and strategies for stakeholder engagement to ensure informed decision-making across the organisation.
- Real-world case studies illustrating successful application rationalisation efforts.
Why should I read this?
This guide serves as a practical blueprint for CIOs and IT leaders seeking strategic clarity in fragmented IT environments. With increasing pressure to control costs and improve agility, the framework translates high-level modernisation goals into actionable steps, enabling organisations to turn application portfolios from liabilities into valuable assets that support their strategic objectives.
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