Speed Data Podcast: Legacy technology (Part 2)

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Our second episode focuses on the issue of legacy technology in the UK public sector, how organisations can tackle them, and where to begin.

Transcript

Jan: So today, we're following up on the last Speed Data podcast. I've been digging into another article about legacy tech in the UK public sector and there's quite a bit more I thought we could talk about.

Chris: Yep, there definitely is more to talk about, Jan!  The public sector is just drowning in outdated systems right now. The government's under all this pressure to adopt AI and improve things, but they've got these ancient IT systems holding them back that were never built for today's digital world.  

Jan: Yeah I remember that from the last chat we had. So what's actually happening? Are we talking about computers from the 90s still running critical services or something?

Chris: It's exactly that! You've got these systems that still appear to function well on the surface, right? But underneath, they're creating these massive data silos, security risks, compatibility issues - all the stuff that, you know, makes it seem impossible to adopt things like AI. The real challenge is something like how do you convince senior leaders to fund modernisation when there are so many competing priorities for the same pot of money?  

Jan: I can see how that would be a tough sell. Are there any tools or guidance to help organisations tackle this problem?  

Chris: There are, actually, yeah. There are two major ones and they are both a bit of a mouthful! Firstly, there's the UK Legacy IT Risk Assessment Framework. This one helps evaluate risks from aging systems. It scores them on likelihood and impact, and anything over 16 points is basically, well, it's classified as "red-rated" which means critical risk.

Jan: OK... And what about the second framework?  

Chris: The second one is 'Seven Options to Modernise Legacy Systems', published by Gartner. It's brilliant because it ranks different approaches based on how easy they are to implement. Everything from just wrapping old systems in APIs to completely replacing them. Each approach has its own pros and cons. Like rehosting is great for quick cloud migration with low risk, while rebuilding is better when you've got seriously outdated codebases.  

Jan: So if an organisation wants to modernise, where should they actually start? What's the first step?  

Chris: The first step is to carry out a comprehensive assessment or application health check. It's not just the techie stuff you need to look at though. You need to look at organisational fit and current business processes too.  Once there's a clear picture of how things stand from all angles, you're in a better position to decide the best way forward. 

Jan: OK so it's not just a technical problem then?

Chris: No, not at all. Sometimes the resistance to change comes more from teams and from individuals than it does from the systems.

Jan: I'm guessing you need a way to win hearts and minds then? What would be your top tips for government departments trying to tackle this?   

Chris: My top tips would be prioritise systems with high value first. Get your governance sorted early on. Make sure your teams have the skills and time to contribute. And you need cross-departmental buy-in because siloed decision-making and comms is a massive problem. Also, choose the right partner! Strong partnerships can be a total game-changer, providing that ecosystem of skills and resources you need.  

Jan: That all makes sense. I'm curious though, for organisations who might feel a bit daunted by the size of a modernisation project, what would you say to them?

Chris: That's the beauty of modern approaches to this problem! You don't have to replace everything at once. Taking an incremental approach reduces risk, lets you see benefits sooner, and lays the groundwork for long-term success. 

Jan: So it's more about evolution then, not revolution?

Chris: Yeah, you could say that. Starting small with proof-of-concept project is often a good way to get started.  Adopting API-first principles and breaking modernisation into manageable stages is a good idea too.

Jan: I think I read something recently about the UK Government's Technology Code of Practice?

Chris: Indeed, that has lots of useful guidance on keeping tight reins on project budgets too.

Jan: Brilliant stuff as always, Chris. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts for our Speed Data listeners?  

Chris: I think the main thing is just that dealing with legacy tech might seem overwhelming, but it's absolutely essential if you want to unlock all the benefits of modern digital services and AI. The key is having a well-planned strategy and the right expertise. 

Jan: Thanks so much for sharing your insights today. 

Chris: You're very welcome!

Jan: That's all we've got time for on this episode of Speed Data. We'll be back next time with more tech insights. Thanks for listening!

To find out more, read our latest blog on Before AI, Fix the Foundations in UK Public Sector Tech