Use LeanIX to transform the digital nervous system

Improve usage, boost productivity, and deliver significant cost savings

SAP’s LeanIX is used by architects and data stewards to manage enterprise application portfolios. It incorporates a meta model representing the enterprise architecture and the relationship between the various elements and artifacts.

LeanIX was recently acquired by SAP.

LeanIX is hosted on a SaaS platform and so integrates easily with single sign-on products such as Okta or PingID. Its meta model is highly customizable and configurable, although it is better to limit customizations. Built-in connectors also integrate it with popular platforms such as Signavio, ServiceNow, Aptio, etc., and it supports pre-configurable outputs to create client-specific operational reports. Architects can use the Draw.io editor to create solution diagrams and integrate solution shapes with a LeanIX factsheet-type record, such as for applications, IT components, etc.

These transformations may be challenging. Users may struggle to maintain data quality and integrated process change management, architecture governance, etc. They may focus too much on the tool implementation and overlook the need for a dedicated workforce and process engineering. A client’s overall EA vision may add to the complexity of the transformation, but it is possible to design several solution approaches to realize the vision.

A good implementation partner will work to  understand the overall EA vision; assess the current state of the LeanIX tool, workforce, and the process around it; and deliver phased solutions aligned to the client’s vision. This generates cost savings, productivity, adoption, and data quality, and enables the digital nervous system.

Meeting the client’s vision

Clients can use LeanIX in different ways. Some put LeanIX at the center of enterprise architecture, driving application portfolio management (APM) to become a centralized digital nervous system. Others want LeanIX to act as an enabler, supporting the digital nervous system.

For example, a client who wants to use LeanIX as an enabler might connect it with a data integration layer. These are often complex implementations, given the need to synchronize data between LeanIX and the host, which acts as a data integration layer. This approach is usually chosen if the client maintains APM data in LeanIX, monitors the data quality, and wants to integrate the different functional data entities into a common data integration layer, and use that as the single source of truth. This has the advantage of allowing applications in the EA to direct calls to the data layer, instead of engaging the individual enablers and creating performance issues.

If a client needs to use LeanIX as the centralized nervous system, the rest of the publishing apps can be integrated, which has full adoption across the different EA layers and by various actors, including architects. This supports solution diagrams in Visio and raw factsheet-type data in Excel.

Lastly, if the client’s vision is to move away from LeanIX and use a home-grown APM tool, the transformation approach would be slightly different, with opportunities to finalize the meta model and critical data elements, and ensure the data and solution diagrams can be migrated to the new APM tool.

The value proposition is consistent across the options. The common deliverables are:

• Single source of truth
• Improved adoption by the architect and non-architect community
• Fully integrating LeanIX with other platforms in the EA delivers productivity improvements, cost savings, and accessibility to all layers within the organization.

The business value of transforming LeanIX is in generating a positive net present value (NPV) from the transformation and, ideally, a positive internal rate of return (IRR).

Find the right partner

Capgemini understands that the LeanIX transformation journey is not easy. It requires experience in these transformations and understanding of the nuances of the client’s vision, business model, and IT capabilities.

Capgemini is the right partner. We offer a “value assessment” framework that helps articulate the value of the LeanIX transformation, to justify the business case. Capgemini offers unique differentiators in terms of a thorough understanding of the client’s operating model, alliances with LeanIX and popular middleware solution providers, a dedicated Insights and Data service line, and a solid value assessment methodology. “One Capgemini” is ready to deliver customized solutions for the client.

Contact me to learn about Capgemini’s LeanIX transformation and how you can apply it.