Forrester's Long-Term Packaged Applications Strategy Framework

Amid a consolidating vendor landscape, business process and applications professionals face an onslaught of packaged apps initiatives focused on strategic planning for service-oriented architecture (SOA), next-generation apps, upgrades, instance consolidation, and licensing and pricing. Most existing efforts are chaotic — or reactive at best — resulting in excessive overspending, missed project deadlines, and overtaxed staff. The solution is proper planning and the development of a long-term packaged apps strategy to mitigate unnecessary fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Forrester developed a framework of more than 150 applications strategy elements organized around the four pillars of a successful long-term packaged apps strategy: people, process, technology, and ecosystem. To breathe new life into your long-term packaged apps strategy — or generate a strategy if your organization lacks one — business process and applications professionals should use this framework and self-assessment designed to assess your current strategy, identify areas for improvement, and provide a baseline to track ongoing progress.