from Celia Fässler at
Anyone who wants to build a modern and sustainable IT landscape often faces a real challenge. Especially in larger companies, where countless applications, data and processes come together, developing a solid IT strategy can seem like a huge puzzle. This is where SAP LeanIX comes into play: it offers the opportunity to capture your own IT landscape in a structured way, recognise weak points and develop a long-term digital roadmap that picks up all stakeholders.
In LeanIX, information on applications (or data sources and interfaces) is collected in so-called factsheets. These factsheets bundle all relevant data on a topic and form the basis for analyses and strategic planning.
In my work with SAP LeanIX, I have seen how companies can not only better understand their IT landscape through clearly structured application portfolio management (APM), but also improve it in a targeted manner. Here is an overview of the most important steps and a few practical tips on how LeanIX contributes to a sustainable IT strategy.
1. Creating an overview: Transparency as a basis
First step: gaining a complete overview. Companies often lack a clear overview of which systems are actually in use, which data is stored and how everything is interlinked. Transparency is the foundation of any strategy.
SAP LeanIX can be used to create a comprehensive overview of applications and data sources. The visualisations and dashboards, which not only collect information but also present it in an understandable way, are particularly practical. In my work, I have noticed how quickly you can identify initial optimisation potential with a well-structured database. Suddenly you can see which systems are long outdated and which, to put it bluntly, are just eating up money unnecessarily.
A big plus point of LeanIX? Collaboration is a top priority here - without annoying hurdles such as user licences. The pricing model is structured in such a way that the number of users is irrelevant. In concrete terms, this means that anyone in the company can access the platform, work with it and create real added value with their contributions. No cumbersome "reporting upwards" and no unnecessary loops via people who could enter information but are often far too far from the topic. Those who have the knowledge enter it directly - simply, quickly and efficiently.
2. Collecting targeted information: using surveys and quality seals
However, an overview alone is not enough. The next step is to understand the utilisation and status of the applications in detail. SAP LeanIX offers two practical tools for this: Surveys and Quality Seals.
Surveys help to collect information directly from employees about the use and added value of individual applications. For example, satisfaction with systems or possible ideas for improvement can be quickly recorded. This involvement not only promotes the quality of the data basis, but also increases acceptance of subsequent changes - after all, everyone is involved from the outset. A real advantage of LeanIX here is that the information collected ends up directly in the right place. No cumbersome copy-paste from Excel spreadsheets or manual additions that often lead to errors. Fewer intermediate steps, less stress and above all: less potential for errors.
The quality seals in turn show at a glance whether the data for an application is complete and up-to-date. Changes to the factsheet? Then the status of the seal is automatically set to "Broken/Check needed" and the relevant responsible user receives a notification. This gives you control at all times and ensures that the database is correct and based on solid information.
3. Harmonising IT and business
A major problem in IT strategy development? IT and the business often talk at cross purposes. IT has different priorities than the specialist departments, and in the end the IT strategy does not match the corporate strategy. Yet it is crucial to link these two sides.
LeanIX can bridge the gap between IT and business. A central point here is the business capability map: It shows which capabilities the business needs in order to achieve its goals and therefore forms the perfect basis for assigning the right systems. This quickly makes it clear which applications really contribute to business success, where gaps exist and which systems are perhaps superfluous.
It helps enormously to involve key stakeholders from the outset and to evaluate the applications not only technically, but also strategically. The result? An IT strategy that runs hand in hand with the business strategy - and doesn't bob along somewhere on a parallel track.
4. Identify risks and address them in a targeted manner
A sustainable IT strategy also means recognising and addressing potential risks in good time. SAP LeanIX makes it easy to see where potential problem areas are lurking: outdated systems, dependencies on third-party providers or poor data quality.
In a project for a customer in the railway industry, the initial focus was on creating a basic overview of the IT landscape. In a first step, SAP LeanIX enabled us to map the business capabilities, parts of the organisational structure and the applications and data sources used at high altitude. This created the basis for a more targeted approach to initial optimisation measures and internal initiatives.
5. Develop and sustainably implement a digital roadmap
Once the IT landscape has been analysed, the next step is to translate the findings into a clear roadmap. This digital roadmap is the timetable for IT - it sets priorities and specifies the sequence of the next steps. With SAP LeanIX, such a roadmap can be created flexibly and adapted on an ongoing basis if the framework conditions change.
The roadmap in LeanIX is created step by step and is supported with practical tools:
- Prioritise applications: Based on attributes such as life cycle, relevance and investment requirements, it is easy to find out which applications will be the focus in the coming years.
- Define milestones: Timelines and dependencies help with planning and show which steps are tackled in which order. The milestones ensure that everything remains in line with the company's objectives.
- Estimate the budget: LeanIX makes it possible to link the roadmap with financial and human resources or with the corresponding requirements. This makes it possible to plan at an early stage what investments are necessary and whether the plan can be implemented in practice.
A good IT roadmap is not static, but dynamic. With LeanIX, it is possible to continuously adapt the roadmap and react flexibly to new requirements. This means that IT always has its finger on the pulse and can adapt to new developments.
Conclusion: SAP LeanIX as a building block of a sustainable IT strategy
A sustainable IT strategy is not a one-off project, but an ongoing process. SAP LeanIX offers a platform that creates transparency, links the IT strategy with the corporate strategy and helps to address risks in good time. With SAP LeanIX, companies can analyse and optimise their IT landscape and develop a roadmap that works today and grows with them tomorrow.
Good luck on the road to a sustainable IT strategy! And if you need support in optimising your IT landscape or have any questions about LeanIX, we are just a message away.
