IT Landscape development

Diversity - Complexity

IT is diverse in nature and complex by the way it is implemented. One needs only to think about the complexity if a new accounting system is to be implemented, but for whatever reason one branch needs to stay on the old legacy system. The speedy lifecycle and the shortened support for application of older Versioning leads to a situation where easily the overview is lost. Nevertheless also IT needs to be planned in a logical and justifiable manner.

To be able to get a grip on the situation IT landscapes or IT Architectural plans are used to represent the situation on hand. Once established it becomes swiftly the common communications platform everybody is referring to when addressing changes to the existing Systems.

It can often be observed that companies deny the need for such representation, but once established the usual response is that one could not imagine how one could have lived without it.

Content

An  IT Landscape contains usually the following components

  • Process inventory
  • Project inventory / Process portfolio
  • Application Inventory
  • Application interface collection
  • Infrastructure inventory
  • Server inventory
  • Asset inventory
  • Contract inventory
  • License inventory
  • Location inventory

With the application of different "View" and respective charting techniques, it is possible to represent the IT landscape in its entirety and also viewable according to different purposes and dependencies.

This enables a hands on modelling and scenario development which is especially important during the Strategy development process.

Uses

Besides the use of the IT Landscape for developing different "to-be" scenarios during the Strategy development is proved invaluable for determining dependencies when making changes to the system/systems.

Another scenario in which an IT landscape is of highest importance is during Carve-out, Merger and Acquisition activities.

Generally it can be said that the IT Architecture / Landscape has even in small companies already high degree of details and often also a considerable degree of complexity. In order to keep on top of it, without having to rely on wizards who might or might not have all the details in his/her head, it is essential to represent IT-components in one way or another 

Conclusion

The investment in a documented IT Landscape pays itself back in very short time in form of pinpoint clear decision which cost less in implementations and cost least in maintenance given the situation in a particular company.

Also here there are 2 phases for a company which decides to go for it:

1) The Establishment of documents / charts and forms to represent the given Landscape best

2)  The repetitive up-keeping of the established Landscape

When implementing an IT landscape it is highly advisable to have an external support available who can coach you during this process.

AgooThai can provide to you this service
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