An information system is the backbone of business operations, managing the organisation’s most critical functions behind the scenes. Even the most well-built systems, however, will eventually require an overhaul.
The goal of a system reform is to adapt the system to both current and future business environments – from technical, structural, and usability perspectives. Often processes, users, and technologies have evolved over the years – and the systems too must keep up.
A modernisation project might include the adoption of cloud services, API integrations, AI solutions, advanced analytics, and enhanced cybersecurity. It often also involves migrating processes and data to a new environment.
The most important thing is not any single technical solution, but the big picture – one that is built around the organisation’s current and future business needs. That’s why a reform should provide a scalable platform that can be updated well into the future.
Dividing a large system into smaller parts makes sense when development work is spread across multiple teams and areas, each needing clearer ownership. This is primarily an organisational decision: the technical implementation should always support the structures around it.
Cloud and container technologies offer flexibility, but they are not a goal in themselves, or automatically the best choice. They’re worth adopting when they support the organisation’s development model, lifecycle thinking, and business objectives.
APIs can be used to make legacy systems accessible without the need for immediate change. This creates room for development and helps manage risks. However, the system remains tied to outdated logic. That is why encapsulation is a transitional phase, not a permanent solution.
System replacement rarely works like changing an outfit. Rather, it is typically a multi-year transition where the smooth running of the business takes priority over technical purity. All this requires careful phasing, two-way integrations, and a long period of coexistence with the old system.
Every organisation follows its own path. At best, the entire system architecture can be redesigned to meet current and future needs, creating a flexible foundation for development and innovation. A system should support the business, not limit it.
Taiste can help identify the need for modernisation, define a realistic project scope, and build a roadmap based on your business priorities. Our approach is phased and controlled: we improve critical parts of the system rather than rebuild everything without a compelling reason.
Read more about our system reform services here.
You can also download our risk management guide to help you recognise and avoid the most common pitfalls in system reform projects.
