Legacy systems are a pain point for many teams
They are outdated, slow, and cumbersome. But more than that, maintaining them can be both expensive and risky. That’s why it’s never easy to say goodbye to them. In this blog post, we will provide you with some practical tips that can help you decommission your legacy system without a lot less hassle.
Tip 1: Analyse the Users of Your System
Start by taking a closer look at the users of your legacy system. Who uses it for content consumption and who uses it for content generation? Analysing this can help you shrink the problem space by identifying what data is valuable, what data is not, which interactions are important and which are not. By understanding which data is essential for decision-making, you can develop a new data platform that caters to the needs of the content consumers. Moreover, you can figure out what data is most important for the content generators, whether they are people or other platforms. Overall, this approach will help you identify which features and data should be migrated to the new system.
Tip 2: Develop a New Data Platform
Once you have identified what data is essential, you can start developing a new data platform. The new platform should serve the needs of the content consumers and provide them with all the relevant information they need for decision-making. It should be easy to use, fast, and accessible. The visualisation and engagement layer for the content consumers should be agile and fast to respond to feedback from user. To build a successful data platform, make sure you include all the stakeholders and lay out a clear road map that outlines what the new platform would entail and when it would be ready to launch.
Tip 3: Manage the Transition Period
During the transition period, you must be proactive in managing and controlling the process. This means making sure that everyone is on board, ensuring that all data is accurately migrated, and testing rigorously to weed out any potential errors before the new system goes live. Don’t forget to build in contingency for data cleaning or data retirement by the business. You also need to train users on how to navigate the new platform. Communicating the project’s progress to stakeholders can also help keep everyone informed and ensure everyone’s support throughout the transition.
Tip 4: Implement Cross-Organization Support
As you roll out the new system, it’s essential to create cross-organisation support to get you through the adoption curve – remember, you need to consistently get 35% of users regularly using and talking positively about the new service. People who find the new content consumption system easier to use will naturally give positive feedback to others, creating a positive feedback cycle on digital transformation. This means you must manage the change process well, ensure that everyone understands the system’s benefits, and provide ongoing user support.
Tip 5: Saying Goodbye to Your Legacy System
Once the new system is up and running, you’ll need to work hard to get the content generators to start preparing to change their ways of working, and you’ll need to develop services for them before it’s time to say goodbye to your legacy system. You’ll have created a real buzz around the organisation if you’ve followed the tips above, so this should make it easier to get more support to tackle the next stage. However, before officially shutting down, you should ensure that all data is successfully migrated to the new system and check that everything functions well. You should also communicate the system’s success to stakeholders to get buy-in and support for future digital transformation initiatives.
Conclusion:
Legacy systems can be cumbersome and risk an organisation’s digital health. However, decommissioning them can be challenging. By following the above practical tips, you can identify what data is essential and develop a new data platform that caters to the needs of content consumers and content generators. Managing the transition period, building cross-organisational support, ensuring everyone is aware of the system’s benefits, and getting better business buy-in which will help you to bid farewell to your legacy system finally. With the right approach and positive feedback cycle on digital transformation, it’s possible to move towards a more modern and agile system that supports continued growth and success.
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