Application Portfolio Management:Bringing clarity to the complex

What is it?

Octo recognizes the challenges our clients face today regarding the commonly found functional overlap of IT services that exist within many application portfolios.  Our proven methodology for identifying, sequencing and transitioning candidates for rationalization addresses key issues such as proliferation of applications, duplication of functionality across systems, and high maintenance costs.  Our methodology breaks down what can be a complex and daunting initiative into four discrete but interdependent tasks: 

  • Develop an application strategy to determine the greatest mix of applications to best support the mission
  • Prioritize opportunities based on an agreed-upon financial baseline
  • Review work stream opportunities with key stakeholders to ensure agreement and build support
  • Develop detailed financial analysis and implementation plan—including sequencing of projects and applications targeted for sunset—as an input to the business case

Across each task, Octo collectively employs a set of proven, integrated methods that work toward the objective of rationalizing enterprise applications and infrastructure into a more efficient portfolio. These methods align the application and infrastructure portfolio with mission drivers, allowing management to focus on less duplication of functionality across systems, elimination of excessive system interfaces and controlled proliferation of applications. These practices, when combined, can substantially reduce cost.

Why do you do it?

If you suspect a functional overlap of services exists within your current portfolio of services.

What do you get?

Deliverables for this engagement enable the formulation and execution of strategies that ensure the delivery of better IT value and plan for the elimination of poorly performing assets and projects.  Application Portfolio Management provides: 

  • Identified cost savings from underused or duplicative systems and applications;
  • Improved knowledge sharing when exposing collected data and analysis;
  • Increased efficiencies when consolidating and realigning resources;
  • Compliance support of government mandates;
  • Reduced number of data calls directed at system and application owners; and
  • Better informed decision about the Application Portfolio.