modernization seminar

Architecture-Driven Modernization

Three-Day Workshop Overview & Outline

Workshop Description

The onsite modernization workshop delivers a comprehensive discussion of architecture-driven modernization as well as a set of takeaway strategies as to how modernization can be applied to specific in-house requirements. This unique and valuable modernization workshop is delivered through a seminar style session and a working session that has been customized around unique client requirements.

The seminar-style session provides attendees with a comprehensive state of the art and state of the practice discussion on architecture-driven modernization. This includes walking attendees through baseline modernization concepts as well as how modernization is being applied in organizations today. A key focal point is on what has worked and what has not.

The seminar delivers a framework for applying various modernization techniques, which includes the use of various tools and technologies. Additional topics include the role of business architecture / IT architecture alignment, strategies for onsite versus offsite modernization, how to engage the business in building support and funding, and an overview of the latest work on industry modernization standards.

The best planned, most well-intended modernization initiatives have failed for reasons that architecture and implementation teams never envisioned. The seminar, therefore, includes strategies for avoiding modernization failures through an incremental approach.

The working session builds upon the seminar lessons through a series of on-the-spot planning sessions that discuss how various modernization scenarios may be applied to specific client requirements. The workshop agenda is largely freeform, based on the issues and requirements brought forth by the client attendees. Advance discussions with the client provide high-level topics while the modernization framework provides the basis for laying out approaches to various client challenges.

For example, if the client has a diverse application and data architecture, aligned in silos to support various overlapping, complex business capabilities, the workshop will walk through an approach for a high-level, enterprise assessment of this environment. This discussion would produce recommended modernization options and solutions that the client could realistically pursue as a result of this assessment.

In addition, the working session will walk attendees through planning models for a series of project-focused scenarios, as requested by the client. These scenarios potentially include application consolidation, SOA transformation, model driven architecture migration, data architecture transformation, language migration, application package deployment and other applicable options. Attendees will take away a set of practical approaches and high-level plans for deploying modernization within their enterprise.

Modernization 1½ Day Seminar – Topics

I. Introductions / Agenda Review

II. Why Modernization

• Defining the Domain of Architecture-Driven Modernization

• Modernization vs. History of Traditional IT Approaches

III. Modernization Snapshot Overview

• Overview, History & Role of Standards

• Framework Overview

• Modernization Project Scenarios

• Industry Vendor Support

• State of the Art / State of the Practice

• Worst Practices vs. Best Practices

IV. Requirements Driving Modernization

• Business Architecture / IT Architecture Alignment

• IT Architecture Requirements & Strategy

• Outside-In / Inside-Out Approach to Business / IT Alignment

V. The Enterprise Assessment

• Establishing Requirements & Setting Scope

• Building a Modernization Strategy

• Establishing Scenario-Based Project Plans

VI. Modernization Framework Walkthrough

• Project-Based Assessments

• Refactoring Options

• Transformation Options

VII. Modernization Scenario Walkthrough

• Consolidation Scenarios

• SOA Migration Scenarios

• Model Driven Architecture Transformation Scenario

• Application Package Deployment Scenario

• Language / Platform Migration Scenarios

• Additional Scenario Options

VIII. Strategy Considerations

• Building Business Support

• Short-term / Mid-term / Long-term Options

• Aligning Modernization with Traditional IT Strategy

• Budgetary & Timing Considerations

IX. Close

Modernization 1½ Day Facilitated Session – Topics

I. Workshop Level Setting Discussion

• Experiences or Projects to Date / Work in Progress Discussion

• Scope of Interest: Enterprise Wide vs. Localized

• Modernization Goals: Program vs. Project Level

• Current Options Under Consideration

• Finalize Remaining Agenda Topics

II. Establish List of Modernization Scenarios to Discuss

III. Enterprise Assessment Walkthrough

• Requirements Walkthrough

• Cross-Functional Planning Discussion

• Strategy Development

• Takeaway Discussion

IV. Additional Project-Based Scenario Discussions

• Requirements Walkthrough

• Strategy Development

• Project Deployment Options

• Timeline Options

• Project Requirements vs. Industry Delivery Capability

• Takeaway Discussion

V. Wrap-up Discussions

• Question & Answer Session

• Synchronize Approach with Modernization Strategy

Workshop Presenter & Facilitator

William Ulrich is President of TSG, INC. and a strategic planning consultant on business / IT

alignment. He has written several books, published hundreds of articles and papers, and has worked with numerous

large corporations and government agencies in the area of business / IT architecture alignment. Mr. Ulrich is co-chair

and founder of the OMG Business Architecture Working Group, Editorial Director of the Business Architecture

Institute, co-chair of the Business Architecture Conference, co-chair of the OMG Architecture-Driven Modernization

Task Force, Director at Large for the Business Architecture Society and an advisor to the Penn State Enterprise

Architecture Advisory Group. Mr. Ulrich is based in Northern California.

If you are interested in this course, or other consulting services, please contact us.