--- title: "Don’t Panic! A Developer’s Guide to Starting a Modernization Project, Part One: Planning" description: Starting an enterprise modernization project can be overwhelming. Here are some best practices for modernizing legacy systems, especially those on IBM i. image: https://blog.profoundlogic.com/hubfs/88046380_l.jpg --- [![(877) 224-7768 <>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1708946/5d9809e1-1922-4e3e-b06b-d359616d29bd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1708946/5d9809e1-1922-4e3e-b06b-d359616d29bd) [![sales@profoundlogic.com ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1708946/4fc30eb7-f66d-4552-81e2-49cc209a5ead.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1708946/4fc30eb7-f66d-4552-81e2-49cc209a5ead) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.profoundlogic.com%2Fdont-panic-a-developers-guide-to-starting-a-modernization-project-part-one-planning%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.profoundlogic.com%2Fdont-panic-a-developers-guide-to-starting-a-modernization-project-part-one-planning%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.profoundlogic.com%2Fdont-panic-a-developers-guide-to-starting-a-modernization-project-part-one-planning%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Profound Logic](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PLS_Logo.jpg?width=150&height=52&name=PLS_Logo.jpg "Profound Logic")](https://www.profoundlogic.com/) - AI-Enhanced Products - [Profound AI](https://www.profoundlogic.com/ai/) - [Profound UI](https://www.profoundlogic.com/profoundui/) - [Profound.js](https://www.profoundlogic.com/profoundjs/) - [Profound API](https://www.profoundlogic.com/api/) - Services - Futurization and Transformation - [Profound 360 Analysis](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/profound-360-analysis/) - [Flexible IBM i Code Transformation](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/flexible-code-transformation/) - [IBM i UX Modernization Service](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/ibm-i-ux-modernization-service/) - [Database Modernization](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/database-modernization/) - Integration & API Development - [System Integration](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/systems-integration/) - [Cloud Migration Services](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/cloud-migration-services/) - [Rapid Application Development](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/application-development/) - [Application Development](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/application-development/) - [Mobile Application Development](https://www.profoundlogic.com/services/mobile-application-development/) - [Company](https://www.profoundlogic.com/about-profound-logic/) - [About Us](https://www.profoundlogic.com/about-profound-logic/) - [Press Releases](https://www.profoundlogic.com/press-releases/) - [Careers](https://www.profoundlogic.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.profoundlogic.com/contact/) - Resources - [Blog](https://www.profoundlogic.com/blog/) - [Case Studies](https://www.profoundlogic.com/case-studies/) - [On-Demand Webinars](https://www.profoundlogic.com/webinars/) - [White Papers](https://www.profoundlogic.com/white-papers/) - [Product Documentation](https://profoundlogicsupport.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/PUI/overview) - [User Forum](https://forum.profoundlogic.com/) - [Contact Support](https://profoundlogicsupport.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1708946/interactive-172756632938.png)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJEAGQ8LBHlEC4feTy3sp4AiXoaEkP3asgJOSJ2f7CDY%2BXdIRCBW7ZmJDQVhJ3f%2Fq7r%2BY7yWT9LehkMlZHDFo7AnnXXDikAT1pGCR%2BXgxBabmDCeVqZtztO003I81G9VQTiSShIC0IvqFRme020Zq%2BYiMJjc%2BF1cwy3Sh49HXoiuy3VFuYvNiCT&webInteractiveContentId=172756632938&portalId=1708946) # iModernize - The Profound Logic Software Blog # Don’t Panic! A Developer’s Guide to Starting a Modernization Project, Part One: Planning Posted by [Ajay Gomez](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/author/ajay-gomez) on Aug 26, 2019 1:56:22 PM ![](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/hubfs/Ajay-1.jpg) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Starting an enterprise modernization project can be overwhelming. There are a lot of options to consider, approaches to take, modernization solutions and services to purchase, and potential risks to avoid. After working on legacy modernization projects for IBM i (aka AS 400 or iSeries) for over a decade, I’ve learned a lot about what works and best practices – and I wanted to share that information with you! ![88046380_l](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/hubfs/88046380_l.jpg)This blog post, the first of a series, will cover the best way to start an enterprise modernization project and the importance of proper modernization planning. After reading it, you should have a good understanding of the steps that should be taken in order to answer the following questions:   - How do we decide where to start modernizing? - How do we prioritize applications for modernization? - How far do we take each application down the modernization path? - How do we determine the minimum level of modernization required for each application? **Anatomy of a Legacy Modernization Project** Before we get into answering the questions above, it’s important to understand the size and structure of a modernization project. Modernization projects in the IBM i world usually include all the applications in an ERP system and therefore are considered large projects. It’s not just the number applications that make these projects large, it’s the various components of modernization that increase the size as well. Most people confuse modernization with UI modernization when in fact modernization includes so much more, including: - UI modernization - Database modernization - Code modernization - Application architecture modernization. For example: Getting an RPG III application off the green screen and running in the browser is a good step in the right direction for modernization but that only gets you part of the way there. Code modernization should take the application from RPG III to RPG ILE or a native web language like Node.js. Database modernization should take the application from record level access to embedded SQL and tables from DDS to SQL DDL. Application architecture modernization should make the application data-centric and utilize an API Library. **Planning the Project** Now that you have a good understanding of the size and structure of a modernization project, let’s talk about how to start planning for it. There is a common misconception that the best place to start modernizing is with applications that are used the most. In my experience, this is rarely the best place to start. It’s important to evaluate the current state of each application from a business perspective and a technical perspective then use the results of the evaluation to guide decisions on priority. When evaluating applications from a business perspective you’ll want to look for things like process misalignments, places where users are working around the system, and the overall business strategy to help you determine the current state of the application and the business value of the application. **Analyzing the Risks** From a technical perspective you’ll want to look for risks. Below are some examples of risks your application could be facing: - Losing application tribal knowledge to retirement - Running an unsupported version of an ERP system - Difficulty finding talent from a dwindling pool of RPG developers The risk analysis should be used to determine the minimum level of modernization required for each application. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits all option so it’s up to each organization to determine their risk appetite and modernize accordingly. A good example of this is having an application that is written in RPG III. The risk here is that colleges aren’t teaching RPG III anymore, which means finding developers for the language is difficult. Some organizations may choose to modernize their code base to RPG ILE and stop there. Other organizations may choose to take on less risk and modernize further by moving to a more commonly used language like Node.js. **Application Scoring** At Profound Logic we use various factors to evaluate the state of an application and rank each application with two scores: a business value score and a modernization score. The business value score is a metric used to score the application in terms of its value to the business. Systems with a higher business value should be considered first for modernization as they typically provide the greatest ROI and are considered differentiators from the competition. The modernization score is a metric used to show where the application is on the modernization scale. Applications with a lower modernization score have a higher risk of having software, hardware, or process misalignments than applications with a higher score. We use the combination of these two scores to help companies determine where to start their modernization and how to prioritize their efforts. The same thing applies for those of you looking to do the planning in-house. You’ll want to consider both the business and technical perspectives of the application when determining priority and building a roadmap. You may find an application that is in poor shape technically but has low business value. This application should have a lower priority than an application that is in better shape technically but has higher business value. **Conclusion** Enterprise and legacy modernization projects are large by nature and require an investment in planning to be successful. It’s important to evaluate each application that is in scope from both a business and technical perspective, and to uncover the best enterprise modernization approach. The results of your evaluation will help guide your organization in developing a roadmap that has the business in mind and in turn will deliver business value quickly throughout the modernization project. Hopefully, this blog post was able to answer some of your questions about planning an enterprise modernization project! Stay tuned for future blog posts to help your legacy modernization projects be successful. Topics: [Enterprise Modernization](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/enterprise-modernization), [Legacy Modernization](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/legacy-modernization) Search Blog ### Subscribe to Blog Updates **....and get The 2019 State of IBM i Modernization survey for FREE!** ![cover page 2019-1](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cover%20page%202019-1.png?width=800&name=cover%20page%202019-1.png "cover page 2019-1") ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Events & Education (203)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/events-education) - [Application modernization (173)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/application-modernization) - [IBM i Modernization (169)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/ibm-i-modernization) - [IBM i applications (169)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/ibm-i-applications) - [Profound.js (165)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/profound-js) - [Node.js (164)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/node-js) - [Agile modernization (162)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/agile-modernization) - [IBM i (161)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/ibm-i) - [RPG (158)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/rpg) - [AS400 modernization (157)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/as400-modernization) - [iSeries (149)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/iseries) - [Legacy Modernization (141)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/legacy-modernization) - [RPG Development (85)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/rpg-development) - [AS 400 (58)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/as-400) - [Profound UI (54)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/profound-ui) - [Profound Logic (50)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/profound-logic) - [AS\_400 (49)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/as_400) - [New Features (28)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/new-features) - [Tips and Tricks (26)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/tips-and-tricks) - [Development (20)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/development) - [green screen modernization (15)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/green-screen-modernization) - [Mobile Development (14)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/mobile-development-2) - [5250 (12)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/5250) - [IBM Watson (10)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/ibm-watson) - [Press Release (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/press-release) - [Product Announcement (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/product-announcement) - [Scott Klement Health (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/scott-klement-health) - [Partnerships (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/partnerships) - [PLUS 2018 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/plus-2018) - [Prime UI (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/prime-ui) - [Case Study (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/case-study) - [Enterprise Modernization (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/enterprise-modernization) - [Year in review (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/year-in-review) - [PLUS 2019 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/plus-2019) - [mobile applications (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/mobile-applications) - [mobile mondernization (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/mobile-mondernization) - [2016 Survey (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/2016-survey) - [2019 Survey (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/2019-survey) - [Conversion Service (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/conversion-service) - [Model 3 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/model-3) - [Tesla (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/tesla) - [connectria (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/connectria) - [node (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/topic/node) see all ### Archive - [September 2014 (17)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/09) - [March 2017 (14)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/03) - [May 2017 (10)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/05) - [April 2019 (10)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/04) - [May 2019 (10)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/05) - [February 2013 (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/02) - [June 2017 (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/06) - [August 2017 (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/08) - [September 2017 (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/09) - [October 2017 (9)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/10) - [July 2017 (8)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/07) - [June 2018 (8)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/06) - [January 2019 (8)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/01) - [March 2019 (8)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/03) - [June 2019 (8)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/06) - [August 2014 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/08) - [August 2015 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/08) - [December 2017 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/12) - [January 2018 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/01) - [July 2018 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/07) - [August 2018 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/08) - [October 2018 (7)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/10) - [June 2014 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/06) - [October 2014 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/10) - [September 2015 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/09) - [April 2017 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/04) - [November 2017 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/11) - [March 2018 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/03) - [November 2018 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/11) - [December 2018 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/12) - [February 2019 (6)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/02) - [January 2014 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/01) - [April 2014 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/04) - [October 2015 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/10) - [February 2018 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/02) - [April 2018 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/04) - [July 2020 (5)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/07) - [January 2013 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/01) - [March 2013 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/03) - [April 2013 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/04) - [July 2014 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/07) - [May 2018 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/05) - [September 2018 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2018/09) - [July 2019 (4)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/07) - [September 2013 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/09) - [March 2014 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/03) - [July 2015 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/07) - [November 2015 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/11) - [January 2016 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/01) - [March 2016 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/03) - [April 2016 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/04) - [September 2016 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/09) - [October 2019 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/10) - [June 2020 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/06) - [August 2020 (3)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/08) - [November 2013 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/11) - [February 2014 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/02) - [May 2014 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/05) - [November 2014 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/11) - [January 2015 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/01) - [April 2015 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/04) - [February 2016 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/02) - [June 2016 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/06) - [July 2016 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/07) - [October 2016 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/10) - [December 2016 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/12) - [February 2017 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/02) - [March 2020 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/03) - [April 2020 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/04) - [May 2020 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/05) - [September 2020 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/09) - [October 2020 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/10) - [January 2021 (2)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2021/01) - [November 2012 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2012/11) - [December 2012 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2012/12) - [May 2013 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/05) - [June 2013 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/06) - [July 2013 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/07) - [August 2013 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/08) - [October 2013 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/10) - [December 2013 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2013/12) - [December 2014 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2014/12) - [March 2015 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/03) - [May 2015 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2015/05) - [May 2016 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/05) - [November 2016 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2016/11) - [January 2017 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2017/01) - [August 2019 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/08) - [December 2019 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2019/12) - [November 2020 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/11) - [December 2020 (1)](https://blog.profoundlogic.com/archive/2020/12) see all #### Related Resources - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Benefits of Modernizing Legacy Systems](https://www.profoundlogic.com/benefits-of-modernizing-legacy-systems/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Customer Satisfaction and Supply Chains](https://www.profoundlogic.com/customer-satisfaction-and-supply-chains/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Why Your Business Must Modernize Its Legacy Applications](https://www.profoundlogic.com/why-your-business-must-modernize-its-legacy-applications/) - \[fa icon="caret-right"\] Coding in 2021 and Beyond: Is Node.js Dead? #### Recommended for you - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] The Importance of API Security to Protect Sensitive Business Data](https://info.profoundlogic.com/the-importance-of-api-security-to-protect-sensitive-business-data) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Why API Matters for Enterprise Development](https://info.profoundlogic.com/why-api-matters-for-business-development-whitepaper) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] The Cost of Technical Debt to Business on IBM i](https://info.profoundlogic.com/technical-debt) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Node.js for Enterprise IBM i Modernization](https://info.profoundlogic.com/node) #### Watch now on demand - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] What is Code Transformation?](https://info.profoundlogic.com/code-transformation-stage-one) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Transform IBM i/AS400 Now](https://www.profoundlogic.com/transform-ibm-i-as400-now/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Profound API, Low-Code and Product Updates Announced at PLUS 2020](https://info.profoundlogic.com/plus2020) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] IBM i Transformation Risks Every Business Leader Should Know](https://info.profoundlogic.com/transformation-risks-wod) #### Company - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] About Us](https://www.profoundlogic.com/about-profound-logic/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Press Releases](https://www.profoundlogic.com/press-releases/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Events and Webinars](https://www.profoundlogic.com/events/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Careers](https://www.profoundlogic.com/careers/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Partnerships](https://www.profoundlogic.com/partnerships/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Contact Us](https://www.profoundlogic.com/contact/) [Sign up for our newsletter](https://www.profoundlogic.com/newsletter-signup-profound-logic/) | [Developers](https://docs.profoundlogic.com/) | [Blog](https://www.profoundlogic.com/blog/) | [Privacy](https://www.profoundlogic.com/privacy-policy) | [Contact](https://www.profoundlogic.com/contact/) | [1-877-224-7768](tel:877-224-7768) Copyright © 2026 Profound Logic Software | [Sitemap](https://www.profoundlogic.com/sitemap.xml) \[fa icon="chevron-up"\] ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=237478240316292&ev=PageView&noscript=1)