Creating options where none seemed to exist
Have you ever wondered what’s slowing down your software development or which components are particularly prone to errors?
Our comprehensive analysis gives you clear answers and reveals concrete opportunities for optimization. We not only help you eliminate bottlenecks and speed up development, but also improve long-term team satisfaction while reducing maintenance costs. With our expert insights, you can make your software more efficient, future-proof, and high-performing.
The Software Health Check by MaibornWolff
In just three weeks, our experts will conduct an in-depth analysis and develop a detailed roadmap, preparing your software for both current and future innovations.
Your current situation – where do you stand?
We often meet clients who are unsure about the status of their IT projects or even their entire system landscape.
To act effectively, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your software’s current state. Only with a clear picture of the present can you take the right steps to resolve issues, eliminate bottlenecks, and implement forward-looking improvements.
Do any of these statements sound familiar to you?
My development team/service provider is delivering less and less functionality. The team is hesitant to commit to fixed delivery dates.
We’re planning to grow our user base exponentially soon, but the system is already at its capacity limit.
Why do we experience so many bugs after each release?
I’m not sure how to speed up development by adding more teams.
What do I need to do with my successful in-house software solution to sell it as a SaaS product to external customers?
How much effort is required to run the application in a different or public cloud?
I don’t know if our development process and environment are still suitable for my product.
If you find yourself relating to one or more of these statements, our Software Health Check can help.
Where does your IT system stand?
Together, we’ll analytically determine the status quo of your system and define a path to minimize high maintenance costs. We always keep the cost-benefit factor in mind.
Our approach
As specialists in the Software Health Check, we offer a standardized process to deliver tailored results – all in just three weeks. To ensure efficiency and save time, we divide our Software Health Check into four phases.
1. Preparation
During the preparation phase, we plan the entire Software Health Check process. We set clear appointments and timelines, so you know exactly how much time you and your team will need to invest and when the Health Check will be completed.
Together, we’ll also define your core questions and set the identified goals.
Understanding
After preparation, we move into the understanding phase. In a kick-off meeting, all stakeholders are brought together to review the goals and process of the Software Health Check.
We then conduct five structured workshops to thoroughly examine the system from every angle. Involving all relevant stakeholders – including developers, IT architects, Scrum Masters, and IT operations – we build on shared knowledge, ensuring no perspective is missed. The core of this phase is a detailed analysis of your system’s current state.
We dive deep into the quality of your software architecture and code, examining the root causes, which are usually found in the development process. We analyze system-business alignment, identify dependencies, and look for dependency cycles and code hotspots. These might include security vulnerabilities in libraries or code, or highly complex code with low test coverage that is frequently handled by different team members. These ticking time bombs are more common than we’d like to see.
In addition to commercial analysis tools, we rely on our self-developed open-source tool, CodeCharta, which visually combines multiple metrics from different sources into “software maps.”
Hotspots emerge only when several factors come together. For example, very complex code that is well-tested and rarely changed is less risky than comparable code with a high change frequency, posing a greater risk for future bugs.
These findings are then discussed in workshops with your development and architecture teams.
CodeCharta is a powerful open-source tool that transforms complex code metadata into easy-to-read 3D maps. It provides clear insights into your code’s structure and quality by visually highlighting potential problem areas.
3. Evaluation
In the third phase, we evaluate the system. Together, we identify the strengths and weaknesses of the system and develop clear recommendations for action. These recommendations are validated in a workshop with your team and assessed for feasibility.
By the end of the evaluation phase, we help you decide whether to improve the existing system, build a new one from scratch, or opt for an off-the-shelf product. Factors such as the future viability of the technology stack, availability of expertise, strategic relevance of the project, and cost-benefit considerations are taken into account.
4. Action
In the final phase, we create a concrete action plan, prioritize the necessary steps, and organize them into a logical, time-based sequence – the modernization roadmap.
Much like a real roadmap, this tool guides you from your current position to your desired goals. Alongside technical modernization, this plan takes into account future requirements from business units, which must be fulfilled simultaneously.
We also provide an approximate time and cost estimate for the recommended actions.
Your results – what you’ll receive from us
After the detailed evaluation of the Health Check, you’ll have a clear understanding of your IT system’s current state. You’ll not only recognize the strengths that keep your system robust and efficient, but also the weaknesses that may pose risks or offer room for improvement. This gives you a solid basis for making informed decisions and securing your IT system for the future.
Following the Health Check, we provide you with a tailored improvement plan, specifically designed to meet your system’s needs. This plan includes:
- Clear actions required
- A prioritized roadmap
If necessary:
- Cost estimates for improvements
- A decision template for Make vs. Buy vs. Refactor
You receive an expert opinion on the state of your system
Our experts develop concrete actions in a logical sequence
Together, we define a desired target state.
Our mindset – these values guide our work:
Holistic view
We don’t just see the flaws in your legacy system; we see its potential. We conduct a thorough, multi-dimensional analysis of your current system and its strengths, and provide a customized modernization plan to help you reach your goals. We consider not only technical aspects but also organizational and process factors.
Teamwork
As external consultants, we bring an objective perspective not only on technical factors but also on team dynamics. Working closely with your team, we often uncover concerns or issues that can be addressed at the management level. This has helped streamline project workflows and improve team dynamics in the past.
Our clients – testimonials and references
Many renowned clients trust our Software Health Checks
See for yourself our proven Software Health Check approach!
Would you like to learn more about our Software Health Check? Then book a non-binding consultation right away and find out how we can assist you!
I am happy to help you
Do you have any further questions about our range of services?
Venko Kisev
Head of IT Stabilization & Modernization