Q&A Series: Building a Business Case for Application Modernization

Bob Quillin, Chief Ecosystem Officer at vFunction, emphasizes the challenges of obtaining buy-in and budget for application modernization due to the complexity and potential costs involved. He highlights that building a compelling business case, supported by data, is crucial for justifying such projects to business leaders. The vFunction Assessment Hub and Assessment Hub Express tools are designed to aid architects in creating data-driven modernization plans by providing insights into technical debt and application health. Quillin notes that a lack of clear understanding and data on application architecture often leads to failed modernization efforts, as seen in a 2022 study where unmet expectations were cited as a primary reason for project failures. By breaking monolithic applications into microservices, organizations can enhance scalability, reduce costs, and improve innovation. Additionally, Quillin points out that understanding the scope and potential ROI of modernization projects is vital, as not all applications require such efforts unless they are critical to business operations. The graphical presentation of data through the vFunction Assessment Hub aids in visualizing technical debt and making informed decisions on modernization priorities.