Imagine embarking on a cross-country road trip without a map. You might have a general idea of your destination, but without a plan, you’re likely to take detours, waste time, and maybe even run out of gas! Modernizing legacy systems is similar. Without a well-defined roadmap, your modernization journey can become a costly and frustrating endeavor.
This chapter serves as your map and compass for legacy modernization. We’ll guide you through the essential steps of strategic planning and goal setting, ensuring your efforts align with business objectives and set you up for success. You’ll learn how to:
By the end of this chapter, you’ll have a solid foundation for creating a modernization roadmap that will guide you safely across the “COBOL Cliff” and into a future of agility and innovation.
Modernizing legacy systems, like COBOL, isn’t just a tech update; it’s a business strategy. Think of it like renovating a house – you need a plan, not just demolition. This section connects modernization efforts directly to business goals. We’ll define measurable success and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. As discussed in Chapter 1, the ‘COBOL cliff’ presents significant business risks, making strategic alignment crucial.
Key areas we’ll cover:
Why modernize? The answer must be rooted in your business strategy. Are you aiming to cut costs, boost agility, or foster innovation? Perhaps all three! A retail company with a slow, inflexible legacy inventory system illustrates this. Their business drivers might be: