Modernization and thriving in the “New Normal”
The CA 2E CA Plex Worldwide conference executive roundtable, an informal discussion about the risks and complexities of large-scale modernization, encompassed a wide range of relevant issues old and new in modern-day digital transformation.
Over the course of the hour-long-plus discussion, the group of eight executives and vendors shared their common experiences modernizing large companies, and a few key themes emerged.
Best approach to modernization in the “New Normal”
The resounding sentiment among the group is that modernization is best approached with an evolutionary process, not a revolutionary one. With all of the inherent risks and stakeholders involved in a system change, an ongoing process of “Continuous Modernization” affords the best chance of success.
The resounding sentiment among the group is that modernization is best approached with an evolutionary process, not a revolutionary one.
“Continuous Modernization” reduces risk with a large, complex effort. Businesses and consumers that interface directly with your enterprise system can take the time to adapt to changes without needing an expensive and time-consuming retraining. Years, usually decades, of customization can stay intact, with a real proven business purpose, and keep your competitive advantage in place.
If “modernization is forever”, what’s the best strategy?
There are alternatives to “big bang” rewrites that can go catastrophically sideways, or off-the-shelf solutions that can bury key customizations, according to John Rhodes, CTO of CM First. He spoke of the Strangler Pattern, as one of many methods that can incrementally improve a big complex system, one feature, function, or service at a time, and eventually replace it.
We wrote about the Strangler Pattern here, in a previous article.
Much was discussed in the Roundtable, with key insights and observations about thriving in the “new normal”. View the video at the top of this article, or watch it on YouTube on CM First’s channel.
