Disaster Averted: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Application Modernisation

5 min readJan 2, 2023

Modernising applications is an essential part of staying competitive in the ever-changing business landscape.

It often presents tempting opportunities to leverage newer technologies and capabilities — but as with any large technology project, there are potential pitfalls associated with modernisation that can cause even the most well-prepared organisation disruptions and delays.

Planning is essential for a successful modernisation project — don’t rush into things!

When it comes to any sort of modernisation project, planning is essential. Without a plan in place, things can quickly go awry, and the project can end up costing more time and money than it should. This is especially true for large-scale projects like updating an entire company’s IT infrastructure or renovating a building.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t ever start a project without a plan — sometimes circumstances necessitate a quick start, and in those cases it’s better to just go for it and figure out the details as you go along. But generally speaking, taking the time to plan out a project is the best way to ensure its success.

There are many factors to take into account when planning a project, from figuring out what needs to be done to estimating how much time and money it will take. One of the most important things is to make sure everyone involved is on the same page, from the people who will be carrying out the work to the people who will be using the finished product.

Communicating effectively is key to avoiding any misunderstandings or conflicts down the road.

Another important part of planning is making sure you have all the resources you need. This includes not just money and manpower, but also materials and knowledge. If you’re not familiar with something involved in the project, it’s important to bring in someone who is — otherwise you could run into problems down the line.

Consider the business case and objectives of the modernisation project

When businesses undertake a modernisation project, there are usually specific objectives that they hope to achieve. These can include anything from increasing efficiency and productivity, to improving customer service or expanding into new markets.

Whatever the objectives may be, it’s important that they are clearly defined and understood by everyone involved in the project. This includes not just the managers and executives, but also the workers who will be carrying out the changes.

If the workers don’t understand why they’re doing something or how it ties in with the overall objectives of the project, there’s a danger that they may not do it properly or that they may even resist the changes altogether. This could lead to delays or even failures in achieving the desired results.

That’s why it’s so important to have a clear plan for how the modernisation project will be implemented, and to ensure that everyone is on board with it. With careful planning and communication, businesses can successfully achieve their objectives and emerge as stronger, more efficient organisations.

Make a detailed plan of the proposed changes, including what technologies will be used

In order to make the most effective changes, we will be using a variety of technologies. Our goal is to improve the user experience by making it easier for them to find information and complete tasks on our website. Some of the technologies that we will be using include:

- User interface design

- Information architecture

- Search engine optimization

- Web analytics

Carry out extensive testing on the new system before rolling it out to users

Before rolling out a new system to users, it is important to carry out extensive testing on the system. This will help ensure that the system is functioning properly and that there are no major glitches that could cause problems for users. Additionally, testing can help identify any areas of the system that may need improvement.

In order to carry out proper testing, it is important to have a plan in place. The plan should include a schedule for testing and a list of tasks that will be tested. It is also important to have a designated team of testers who are familiar with the system and can report any issues they find.

Once the testing is complete, it is important to review the results and make any necessary changes. If any major issues are identified, it may be necessary to delay the rollout of the new system. However, if all goes well, the new system can be rolled out to users with confidence that it will function properly.

Train users on the new system and support them during and after the transition

Train users on the new system and support them during and after the transition. A big change like this can be daunting for employees, but with careful planning and execution, it can be a smooth transition.

The first step is to ensure that all employees are aware of the changes that are coming. This can be done through email, memos, or even meetings. Make sure to provide as much information as possible about what will be changing and when.

Once employees are aware of the changes, it’s time to start training them on the new system. This should be done in phases, starting with the basics and then moving on to more complex tasks. Be sure to provide plenty of support during this time, as employees will likely have lots of questions.

Finally, don’t forget to follow up with employees after the transition is complete. Make sure they are comfortable using the new system and answer any additional questions they may have. By taking these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition for your employees and avoid any headaches down the road.

Planning is essential for a successful modernisation project — don’t rush into things! Consider the business case and objectives of the modernisation project, make a detailed plan of the proposed changes, including what technologies will be used, carry out extensive testing on the new system before rolling it out to users. Train users on the new system and support them during and after the transition.