Instead of continuing business as usual—developing new product features and working as you always have—modernization is an investment in a better future by spending time improving the architecture of a system and learning new ways of working. However, the idea of slowing down feature delivery is often perceived as bizarre by those without experience in software development and concepts like technical debt. So how do you persuade them that investing in modernization is in their, and everyone else’s, best interests? Equally, how do you get buy-in from employees who might be happy with the current setup and be concerned by potential changes?
When crafted skillfully in a language that speaks to all stakeholders, a compelling modernization strategy is an inspiring vision that sets the scene for a united modernization journey. It helps everybody to see how modernization will benefit them, increasing the chances of securing their buy-in. A good strategy connects modernization initiatives to business outcomes, enabling modernization work to be prioritized and sequenced into a roadmap showing how the inspiring vision will gradually become a reality.