The Applications Playbook
12 Steps to Excellence in Managing Applications
Book a Call to EnrollGet More InfoBenefits of the Program
Your Application department has the potential to be the powerhouse that drives your organization to new heights. With our targeted improvement plan, you won't just keep up - you'll redefine the game. Let's make Application the catalyst for your next big success.
A Proven Methodology
A proven methodology to improve application delivery and management with supporting resources to make the journey easier.
A Structured Framework
A calendar with 12 actionable steps for core Application functions.
High-Value Advisory Engagements
High-value advisory engagements that deliver tangible results and valuable experiences.
Clear Activities You Can Delegate
Clear activities you can delegate to your team with Guided Implementations and actionable best practices.
Customizable and Measurable
Customizable initiatives with measurable results that align with your organizational, departmental, and personal goals, with annual proof of improvement.
The Applications Playbook
12 Steps to Excellence in Managing Applications
Our 12-step process has been proven across maturity levels, and each step comes with a matrix of methodologies, tools, and templates that’s right for you.
Structured, Actionable, 12-Step Framework
Clear activities to delegate to your team
Customizable initiatives with measurable results
Our highest-value advisory engagements
A proven path to excellence
Stakeholder Management
Managing stakeholder satisfaction through application delivery is your most important job.
Core Apps Processes
Stabilizing critical application processes is the only way to stop firefighting.
Workforce Development
Empower end users to own critical processes and shift solutions closer to the challenges.
Project Portfolio Management
Unify portfolio management to drive project success across product families.
Risk & Security
Embed adaptive governance into your solution delivery lifecycle and metrics.
Technology & Vendor
Leverage user feedback to select and manage software effectively.
Product Delivery Throughput
Ensure your applications deliver trusted, high-quality data.
Product Management
Align enterprise goals and priorities through product and product family roadmaps.
Organizational Value
Application Strategy
Budget & Capacity
Renewal & Reflection
Driving Applications:
Key Challenges
Many organizations face the following challenges as they try to drive Applications forward with the organization:
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67%The number of IT departments facing capacity constraints rose from 15% in 2018 to 59% in 2023.
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38%Due to capacity constraints, 38% of IT projects fail to deliver expected benefits of value.
Info-Tech’s 2024 Technology Trends Report, CIO-CxO Alignment Diagnostic, and CIO Business Vision Diagnostic (N=21,367)
And innumerable challenges...
- Demanding stakeholders with changing needs.
- Critical processes are immature and informally managed.
- Scarcity of skills & resources for modern challenges.
- Projects take too long and fail to deliver value.
- Unstoppable security breaches & threats risk derailing your career.
- Painful & expensive technologies don't satisfy users but become irreplaceable.
- Low quality & under-leveraged data impedes processes & insight.
- Capacity for innovation stifled by limited resources consumed by basic operations.
8 Secrets for Applications Excellence
Understanding the eight secrets is imperative to overcoming your most prominent challenges and systematically improving IT for the future.
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How Applications Systematic
Improvement Works:
Adopt the 12 Steps
- Contact your Counselor to learn more about the Application Playbook.
- Become familiar with the 8 secrets of success.
Customize Your Playbook
- Build your Application scorecard based on your personal success metrics and targets.
- Identify key contributors to the 12 monthly steps (direct reports).
- Conduct Your Annual Application Department Assessment.
- Work with your Counselor on developing your Key Initiative Plan.
Act & Delegate
- Use Info-Tech’s research and advisory services to guide you through best practices and produce the deliverables that will help you systematically improve IT performance.
- Take advantage of our diagnostics and benchmarks, Guided Implementations, workshops, and other analyst services.
- Delegate delivery activities to your direct reports where applicable.