Kevin Ramos  1

Reflection leveraging Learning Launch tool     Challenge at hand  I work as a Software Architect, responsible for managing an Application Portfolio.  Within my portfolio, we had an application built on vendor package. It happened to be  such an old platform, that the developers, who worked on this application, were no longer  available in the Organization. Now, the technology Vendor too went out of business and  we were running the risk of business continuity. Our immediate challenge was to come  up with the alternative cost effective solution to mitigate the business risk.    Selection Process  We were in a bit of uncertainty not knowing how the business worked and what would be  our next steps in replacing the toolset. In such a situation, we have employed Design  thinking process for solving this problem. We looked at the various tools that it offered.  Instead of getting into Analysis paralysis, we have decided we would take the approach  of Learning launch tool described in the video lecture demonstrated in week 4 of the  course.     Application of the tool for solving the problem  Initially there was lot of skepticism to replacing the toolset. Stake holders were worried  about the feasibility of the option. We have used Learning launch to prove out our  concepts in small sprints following Scrum approach, collaborating with the business  partners to learn and grow together. Part of each of the learning launch we have  implemented working model of the application focusing on certain critical business  functionality. Quickly learned about the expected behavior and incorporated into  subsequent launch.    Insight   The Launching learn was an effective tool to prove out our strategy to the business  stakeholders as they it in action. It also provided us an opportunity to course correct, seek  and incorporate the feedback. It also helped us to be agile and focus on the Next Big  Thing - yielding us biggest bank for the buck.  This way, it helped us not only in breaking down the risk of uncertainty but also  effectively manage it.     Approach   To start with, we did internet research on the technology options; sought help from user  groups; incorporated their suggestion into our brainstorming sessions. These ideas varied  from manual workarounds; replacing with tools & technologies from other vendors; to  building home grown solutions.   It was exciting to see our vision evolving as we worked. Business teams engaged very  actively providing feedback and were proud that we valued their feedback. All in all it  turned out to be a story of a Happy Customer.     This tool helped overcome the skepticism, free up our minds and gain confidence leading  to customer success.

