{"id":97906,"date":"2025-01-29T06:56:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T05:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diselva.com\/2025\/01\/29\/sap-leanix-how-to-achieve-a-sustainable-it-strategy-for-companies\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T11:27:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:27:24","slug":"sap-leanix-how-to-achieve-a-sustainable-it-strategy-for-companies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diselva.com\/en\/blog\/sap-leanix-how-to-achieve-a-sustainable-it-strategy-for-companies\/","title":{"rendered":"SAP LeanIX: How to Succeed in a Sustainable IT Strategy for Companies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anyone who wants to build a modern and sustainable IT landscape<\/strong> is often faced with a real challenge<\/strong>. Especially in larger companies, where countless applications, data and processes come together, the development of a solid IT strategy can seem like a giant puzzle<\/strong>. This is where SAP LeanIX comes into play: It offers the possibility of recording one’s own IT landscape <\/strong>in a structured way, identifying<\/strong> weaknesses<\/strong> and developing a long-term digital roadmap<\/strong> that appeals to all stakeholders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

In LeanIX, information about applications (or data sources and interfaces) is collected in so-called factsheets<\/strong> . These factsheets bundle<\/strong> all relevant data<\/strong> on a topic and form the basis for analyses and strategic planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my work with SAP LeanIX, I have experienced how companies can not only better understand their IT landscape through clearly structured Application Portfolio Management (APM),<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Create an overview: Transparency as a basis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First step: gain a full view<\/strong> . Companies often lack a clear overview of which systems are in use at all <\/strong>, what data is stored<\/strong> and how everything is interlinked<\/strong> . Transparency is the foundation of any strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP LeanIX can be used to create a comprehensive overview<\/strong> of applications and data sources. The visualizations and dashboards<\/strong> are particularly practical, as they not only collect information, but also prepare it in an understandable way. In my work, I was able to determine how quickly you can recognize initial optimization potential<\/strong> through a well-structured database. All of a sudden, you can see which systems have long been outdated<\/strong> and which, to put it bluntly, are just eating up money<\/strong> unnecessarily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big advantage of LeanIX? Collaboration<\/strong> is a top priority<\/strong> here – and without annoying hurdles such as user licenses. The pricing model is structured in such a way that the number of users does not matter. In concrete terms, this means that every person<\/strong> in the company can access the platform, work with it and create real added value with their contributions. No cumbersome “reporting to the top” and no unnecessary loops<\/strong> about people who could enter information, but are often far too far away from the topic. Anyone who has the knowledge enters it directly – simply, quickly and efficiently<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Collect information in a targeted manner: Use surveys and quality seals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But the overview alone is not enough. The next step is to understand<\/strong> the usage and health of the applications<\/strong> in detail. SAP LeanIX offers two practical tools here: surveys and quality seals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surveys<\/strong> help to collect information directly from employees <\/strong>about the use<\/strong> and added value<\/strong> of individual applications. For example, satisfaction<\/strong> with systems or possible ideas for improvement<\/strong> can be quickly recorded. This inclusion not only promotes the quality of the data basis, but also increases acceptance<\/strong> for later changes – after all, everyone is involved from the very beginning. A real advantage of LeanIX here is that the collected information ends up directly in the right place<\/strong>. No cumbersome copy-paste from any Excel spreadsheets or manual addendum that often leads to errors. Fewer intermediate steps<\/strong>, less stress and, above all, less potential for errors<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quality seals<\/strong> , on the other hand, show at a glance whether the data on an application is complete and up-to-date<\/strong> . Changes to the factsheet? Then the status of the seal is automatically set to “Broken\/Check needed”<\/strong> and the corresponding responsible user receives a notification<\/strong>. This way, you have control at all times and can ensure that the database is correct and is built on solid information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Align IT and business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A big problem in IT strategy development? IT and business often talk past each other<\/strong>. IT has different priorities<\/strong> than the business departments, and in the end, the IT strategy does not fit the corporate strategy. It is precisely crucial to link these two sides<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With LeanIX, the bridge between IT and business<\/strong> can be built. A central point here is the Business Capability Map<\/strong>: It shows which skills the business needs to achieve its goals and thus forms the perfect basis for assigning the right systems. This quickly makes it clear which applications<\/strong> really contribute to business success<\/strong>, where gaps exist and which systems may be superfluous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It helps enormously to involve key stakeholders from the very beginning and to evaluate<\/strong> the applications not only technically, but also strategically. The result? An IT strategy that runs hand in hand with the business strategy – and does not bob somewhere on a parallel track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Identify risks and address them in a targeted manner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A sustainable IT strategy also means identifying and addressing potential risks in good time<\/strong> . SAP LeanIX makes it easy to see where potential problem areas lurk: outdated systems<\/strong>, dependencies<\/strong> on third-party providers, or poor data quality<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a project for a customer from 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<\/strong>, parts of the organizational structure<\/strong> , and the applications and data sources<\/strong> used at a high altitude. This created the basis for tackling initial optimization measures and internal initiatives in a more targeted manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Develop a digital roadmap and implement it sustainably<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the IT landscape has been examined<\/strong>, it is a matter of transferring the insights gained into a clear roadmap<\/strong>. This digital roadmap is the roadmap<\/strong> for IT \u2013 it sets priorities<\/strong> and sets the order of the next steps <\/strong>. With SAP LeanIX, such a roadmap can be flexibly created and continuously adapted if the framework conditions change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The creation of the roadmap in LeanIX is step-by-step<\/strong> and is supported by practical tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n