If you’ve ever been told “We can’t modernise our tech infrastructure until the digital transformation programme is fully mobilised,” we’d challenge that view. Why?
Well, firstly, because getting alignment, consensus and approval takes time, and this wait often has costs. At worst, it leads to licence renewals for existing systems that are holding your business back. But even if this is avoided, waiting for some ‘future state architecture’ to be published also delays time to value and return on investment. Incremental changes, on the other hand, can deliver earlier wins, build confidence and encourage further innovation.
Modernisation shouldn’t be trapped inside slow-moving transformation programmes
Digital transformation promises business value, but it’s the modernisation initiatives within it which actually deliver that value. That’s why modernisation projects that drive specific outcomes should be prioritized as strategic enablers. Why?
- Modernisation projects enable faster decision-making. Instead of wasting time on future-state fantasies, they encourage teams to tackle near-term wins.
- The focus is shifted from governance to delivery of outcomes.
- Incremental modernisation avoids the inertia of mega-programmes because it avoids the delays and complexity of enterprise-wide change.
- It delivers faster, focused wins, with tangible, quick benefits and no 18-month wait for value.
Modernisation is about making systems faster, cheaper, more adaptable and digital ready.
Incremental modernisation can be a better use of money than digital transformation
Of course, it’s true that digital transformation programmes secure big buckets of investment, but is that money being spent effectively? Modernisation projects let you target investment precisely – one system or capability at a time – and you don’t have to wait 18 months to prove the value.
App modernisation offers really granular control over spend, tighter alignment with business needs, and easier tracking of ROI per initiative. What’s more, you can see exactly what’s working and what isn’t much earlier in the process. It’s faster, too, when it comes to delivering value.
Purposeful modernisation can power digital transformation
Of course, we’re not suggesting that digital transformation isn’t an important endeavour. System modernisation isn’t an isolated side project. When it’s aligned to a shared goal or guiding principle, it can accelerate digital transformation.
Incremental change allows for the testing of architectural patterns before delivering them at scale, and enables digital transformation programmes to build on and reuse the success of the modernisation output. A word of caution here, though. When we talk about modernisation, we mean something very different to ‘Lift-and-shift’ – which is simply moving applications to a new platform with minimal changes. Modernisation, on the other hand, involves significant evolution of the applications architecture, code and functionality.
Start where you are – don’t wait
You don’t need to wait for a digital transformation programme to begin driving change. And since most digital transformation journeys don’t involve replacing your entire brownfield ecosystem anyway, modernisation can be your fastest path to value, especially when it empowers a bigger mission.
Wherever you are in your journey to transform you digital ecosystem, system modernisation enables targeted change that supports smoother transitions, gradually reduces complexity, and minimises business disruption while you move forward.
Written By
Leon Van Gendt
Managing Director, Digital Ecosystems
