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Sep 04 2024
Software

How to Ensure Success with Application Modernization

State and local governments can take these steps to ensure flawless app performance on cloud platforms.

As government organizations embark on modernization journeys, it is imperative that they make informed decisions that maximize efficiency and deliver tangible results. Here are four best practices administrators should keep in mind as they tackle application modernization.

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1. Using Assessments as an Effective App Modernization Strategy

Numerous factors come into play when plotting an app modernization strategy: business objectives, technology landscape, resource constraints and more. Conducting a comprehensive assessment will give state and local agencies a holistic understanding of their existing applications, helping them to identify critical pain points and establish roadmaps. A full application inventory, complete with a clear definition of each app’s business value, can avoid duplication and clarify how applications fit into the organization’s long-term strategy.

DIVE DEEPER: Strategic application modernization assessments support your agency.

2. App Modernization: Don’t Neglect Source Code Analysis

It’s common for government agencies to underestimate the significance of existing application source code. Failure to thoroughly analyze the code base can lead to unexpected challenges, such as dependencies, technical debt and outdated frameworks, causing delays, increasing costs and undermining modernization efforts.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.

RELATED: How agencies transform technical debt to technical wellness.

3. Automated Application Portfolio Analysis Benefits Businesses

Automated application portfolio analysis can transform the traditional approach to this task, which may involve numerous meetings, phone calls and email exchanges with team members. Automated tools and techniques allow agencies to efficiently assess their application portfolios, gain actionable insights and accelerate the decision-making process. Automation reduces the burden on employees and frees valuable time and resources for other critical tasks.

DISCOVER: Why agencies are excited about intelligent document processing.

4. First 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, state and local agencies can avoid investing in technology prematurely and make informed decisions that maximize ROI.

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