The Enterprise Applications Journey: Transform Your Applications Practice From Firefighter to Innovator and Keep It There!
What does the enterprise applications practice do?
An enterprise applications practice holds the key to an organization’s technology tool chest. As applications practitioners, it is our responsibility to recognize the compelling events that drive a need for technology change, acquire the sponsorship needed to drive the change, make sure that new technology is fit for use, and support adoption.
We are ready to kick off the enterprise applications journey
The enterprise applications journey is often followed by applications managers. However, roles are fluid and IT structures vary from organization to organization. Therefore, the applications journey is aimed at the four common personas who operate an IT applications practice. See the graphic below for details.
Let’s use the Strategist as an example. Their enterprise applications journey begins with a compelling event that often sounds like:
- The application is out of support.
- The application functionality no longer meets the organizations needs.
- The organization is moving to a new application architecture.
Following the compelling event, we have a series of resources that will guide the Strategist through the journey. Other personas will come along for the ride! The Strategist engages the Traditionalist to help them understand the value of experimenting new ways to advance the organization’s goals.
Journey Step |
Info-Tech Resources |
Phase Details |
Case Study: Selecting a Marketing Management System (MMS) |
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1 |
Harness the structure craved by Partners and Traditionalists. Document the need that results from the compelling event and get a project sponsor to change tools practices and standards. |
The vendor has marked the MMS for end-of-life. A business case is developed to select a more powerful replacement. |
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2 |
Work with Strategists and Traditionalists to make sure that the new tools are fit-for-purpose. |
Business analysts elicit detailed requirements from stakeholders. |
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3 |
Implement a Proactive and Consistent Vendor Selection Process, Governance and Management of Enterprise Software Implementation |
Introduce a structured approach to selection and implementation that satisfies the Strategists’ and Traditionalists’ need for change while keeping Partners and Champions engaged. |
MMS vendors are shortlisted, and the organization decides to implement Adobe Marketing Cloud. |
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4 |
Maximize the Benefits from Enterprise Applications with a Center of Excellence |
Ensure Champions facilitate learning and integration of applications practices into other parts of the organization. |
The lessons learned from the selection project are shared with other departments. |
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5 |
Leverage the excitement of Champions and Strategists to futureproof the applications practice with cutting-edge trends. |
The team learns about marketing technology driven by artificial intelligence. They return to step one to develop a business case. |
Our Take
Following the enterprise applications journey will move your IT applications practice from unstable to innovator status. However, the journey is cyclical. Once you facilitate learning and integration for one specific technology, the applications practitioner has the opportunity to move on to identify new trends, build a new business case, obtain sponsorship, and drive meaningful change across the organization.
Looking for deeper enterprise applications support?
Our workshops team offers remote week-long engagements during which you will complete a key initiative, work through critical project deliverables, and train your team. We use a learning-based approach to implement Info-Tech methodologies tailored to your unique situation.
Want to Know More?
Reduce Time to Consensus With an Accelerated Business Case
Build a Strong Approach to Business Requirements Gathering
Implement a Proactive and Consistent Vendor Selection Process
Governance and Management of Enterprise Software Implementation
Maximize the Benefits from Enterprise Applications with a Center of Excellence