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WorkingMouse is committed to inspiring future tech leaders through initiatives like the InspireU STEM Camp. By providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with hands-on tech experience and mentorship, we empower them to explore STEM careers and envision their future in the industry.

Digital transformation integrates technology across an organisation to enhance operations, value delivery, and customer experience. Benefits include better data insights, efficiency, cost savings, and new revenue streams, promoting agility and innovation. Challenges include resistance to change, security issues, legacy systems, costs, and unclear strategies. Success requires addressing people, setting clear objectives, creating a roadmap, and engaging experts.

Chronicles the journey of WorkingMouse as it navigated the complexities of becoming a leader in legacy system modernisation for government and enterprise sectors. It delves into the company’s early struggles, including operational missteps, challenging client relationships, and the development of innovative tools like Codebots. Through pivotal decisions and key moments, the article highlights how WorkingMouse refined its approach by focusing on people, processes, and tools, ultimately evolving into a trusted partner for modernising critical systems. The article also reflects on the lessons learned and the company’s vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of balance, connection, innovation, and mastery in software development services.

Not using cloud solutions means struggling with outdated systems that hinder business performance. Moving to the cloud, where services are hosted on remote servers, offers significant benefits: enhanced collaboration, scalability, cost efficiency, continuous delivery of updates, global market access, and strong data security. With 94% of companies leveraging cloud services by 2023, the cloud modernizes operations, improves flexibility, and cuts IT costs. Businesses can choose between public, private, or hybrid clouds based on their needs, and decide between Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or custom solutions. Adopting cloud solutions allows businesses to thrive in a digital world, streamline operations, and expand globally.

WorkingMouse’s Codebots tool automates end-user documentation by linking model changes to documentation updates. It uses a higher level of abstraction and automated testing with tools like Playwright to ensure documentation stays current with system updates. The tool integrates models, tests, and documentation, streamlining updates and reducing labor, making it ideal for modernizing legacy systems.

In 2025, technology consulting will focus on structured team topologies, digital twin technology, and strong ESG priorities. Simplifying user experience, using model-driven metrics, and integrating meta and visual modeling are key trends. WorkingMouse aims to compete with major platforms through its advanced, integrated solutions. Adopting these trends will enhance efficiency and client satisfaction.

By 2028, Queensland will advance digital transformation with digital IDs, cybersecurity, and inclusive services. Key goals include addressing diverse demographic needs, leveraging emerging technologies, and enhancing service delivery. Challenges involve managing legacy systems, data sovereignty, and attracting talent. Queensland's proactive approach aims to lead in digital innovation and set a high standard for government efficiency and engagement.

Codebots’ new reports and analytics module offers customizable dashboards, a query builder for complex SQL queries, and integration with any relational database. It enables users to create, save, and export reports in PDF format, democratizing data access and enhancing reporting features. Suitable for both beginners and experienced users, the app transforms data into actionable insights with user-friendly and advanced querying options

Daniel Ferri of Accord Consultancy emphasizes a people-first approach in business and IT consultancy, aligning with WorkingMouse's technology-first philosophy. He advocates for balancing actual, managerial, and visionary processes, transitioning workers from process to knowledge-based roles, and clearly defining responsibilities within organizations. His insights highlight the importance of integrating people, process, and technology for effective modernization.

WM employs metamodels to streamline relationships, automate documentation, and generate code. The original ISMS metamodel managed ISO27001 but has been updated to a modular structure, allowing integration with other standards like ISO 9001. This new metamodel enhances risk management by cross-referencing common ISO models and roles. The ISMS cheat sheet, now integrated with Codebots and Gitlab, updates templates to this modular framework, linking team members to their roles and simplifying risk extraction and verification.

This article explores challenges with legacy systems based on stakeholder feedback, highlighting five main themes: system performance and integration issues, data management problems, inflexibility and the need for modernization, poor user experience, and policy/budget constraints. While the feedback points to significant hurdles, it emphasizes that modernization efforts must balance current constraints and operational needs. WorkingMouse suggests a strategic, incremental approach to modernizing core systems, starting with improvements in satellite systems and addressing fundamental issues to enhance overall efficiency and reduce risks.

The WorkingMouse DevOps Report provides a comprehensive checklist for ensuring successful software development and support. It outlines key criteria for projects, such as pipeline state, testing coverage, production environment readiness, and documentation. Projects are assessed using a traffic light system (🔴, 🟠, 🟢) to track their progress and completeness. The report emphasizes the importance of investing in these features to maximize project success and operational efficiency, reflecting WorkingMouse's commitment to quality and best practices in DevOps.

Abstraction in system development involves focusing on core aspects by removing unnecessary details, which can revolutionise how organisations modernise and streamline their processes. Instead of discarding diagrams and artefacts, reusing them for higher-level models can boost productivity, consistency, and quality while cutting costs. The Jidoka philosophy, prioritising automation and quality over speed, highlights that investing in systematic abstraction leads to more cost-effective and agile development. Embracing this approach helps organisations balance quality with cost management and accelerates their path to innovation.

We categorize software modernization into three types: Like-for-Like Replacements, which upgrade outdated systems while preserving existing workflows; Spreadsheets Replacements, which transition from error-prone spreadsheets to scalable custom applications for better data management; and Disparate Systems Replacements, which integrate multiple unconnected systems into a single platform to streamline operations and improve decision-making. Modernizing systems is crucial for managing growth, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring future readiness.

Legacy systems, crucial to many organisations, pose significant cybersecurity risks due to outdated technology, lack of modern security features, and difficulty integrating with current security tools. These systems often run unsupported software, making them easy targets for cyber-attacks. Their complexity and reliance on outdated authentication methods exacerbate the risk. Recent breaches underscore the need for organisations to modernise their systems and adopt advanced security measures to protect sensitive data and stay competitive.

Supporting legacy systems costs Australian state governments over $160M annually. To modernise effectively, ICT leaders should categorise systems by quality and value: replace low-quality, low-value ones with commercial solutions, and prioritise high-value systems for modernisation. Focus on systems that align with business goals, conduct a cost-benefit analysis, and ensure executive support. This approach helps make modernisation cost-effective and strategically aligned with organisational objectives.

Executive buy-in is crucial for successful modernisation projects, as it aligns the project with strategic goals, secures necessary resources, and fosters a culture of innovation. To gain executive support, involve stakeholders early, build a realistic roadmap, and gather customer insights. Successful examples show the value of executive endorsement, while lack of buy-in can lead to project failures. By ensuring executive alignment and maintaining stakeholder engagement, organisations can effectively navigate the complexities of modernisation and achieve long-term success.

Legacy systems often result from rapid technological evolution, inadequate documentation, poor design and architecture, evolving business needs, and organisational resistance to change. These factors make legacy systems challenging to maintain and update. To address these issues, organisations should focus on understanding the root causes, prioritising modernisation, and embracing continuous updates to stay competitive and aligned with business objectives.

Codebots, a platform engineering tool for designing and building software systems, has introduced several new features to enhance usability. Updates include Frame and Grids for better shape positioning, Container Layouts and Multiple Containers for improved organization, and Bulk Editing for easier model maintenance. Future updates will include logic-based models, performance metrics, and single diagram visuals for comprehensive application structure views. These enhancements aim to streamline system design and maintenance, making Codebots more powerful and user-friendly.

In February 2024, WorkingMouse shared insights on "Composite AI & Models for Modernising Government Services" with the Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group. Composite AI involves combining various AI tools to leverage their strengths and address their weaknesses. Key updates include using AI tools like CoPilot for coding, optimizing problems, platform engineering, team topologies, and modeling for shared understanding. The session highlighted the importance of human oversight alongside AI to ensure accuracy and quality. For more details, see the presentation slides and case studies linked.

Legacy systems are often identified by frequent downtime, poor user experience, outdated technology, high maintenance costs, lack of support, and security issues. These systems, while valuable, are challenging to maintain and adapt. Organizations can either replace or modernize legacy systems—replacement involves building or buying new systems, while modernization updates existing systems with modern technology. Modernization is ideal for systems that still offer high business value but suffer from low quality. Due to growing technical debt and evolving needs, modernizing legacy systems is crucial for maintaining business value and adapting to new technologies.

Continuous modernisation involves regularly updating systems, processes, and technologies to stay aligned with evolving business needs and market demands. It offers benefits like enhanced adaptability, innovation, and reduced maintenance. Key inhibitors include resistance to change, lack of resources, and reliance on outdated systems. Jidoka, a methodology combining automation, modelling, and quality, can facilitate continuous modernisation by improving efficiency and collaboration. Embracing continuous modernisation is crucial for remaining competitive and responsive to changing environments.

The Queensland Government's new digital license is a step towards addressing the challenges of digital identity management. As traditional methods like email-based identification become obsolete due to security risks, emerging solutions such as government digital identities, secure third-party verification, and token-based authentication offer a more secure and streamlined approach. The Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF) and initiatives like the National Digital Licence aim to harmonize and simplify identity verification. While technology advances, legal and regional inconsistencies pose challenges. Collaboration between government and private sectors, leveraging technologies like Thales' Digital ID Wallet, will be crucial for creating a secure and efficient digital identity ecosystem.

Choosing the right software type—Proof of Concept (PoC), Minimum Viable Product (MVP), or full-scale product—can significantly impact a business’s costs and growth. Off-the-shelf software offers lower upfront costs and immediate use but may lack flexibility. Custom software is tailored to specific needs, offering scalability at a higher initial cost. Hybrid solutions combine both approaches. Comprehensive software documentation, whether for off-the-shelf or custom software, is crucial for maintenance, troubleshooting, and future-proofing. Good documentation minimizes errors, reduces long-term costs, and supports efficient updates.

Over-reliance on generative AI for creating code can lead to issues such as poor understanding, challenging debugging, and potential quality and security risks. AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot are useful for generating code snippets and suggestions, but they lack the contextual awareness of human developers and can produce errors. It’s crucial to use AI as a collaborative tool rather than a complete solution, ensuring that human developers review, validate, and integrate AI-generated code to maintain accuracy, security, and adherence to best practices.

In 2024, the Software Readiness Level (SRL) model refines NASA’s TRL and Steve Blank’s IRL, offering a tailored 12-step framework for app development. SRL covers key stages from business model creation and market validation to technical development, testing, and commercialization. It also includes advanced considerations like AI integration, enhanced cybersecurity, and compliance with data privacy regulations. This model ensures software projects stay aligned with modern standards, enabling smoother development and faster market readiness.

In 2024, selecting the right project management software is crucial for ensuring efficient project execution and team collaboration. The best tools provide essential features like Gantt charts for scheduling, file storage, task delegation, calendar integration, and discussion boards. Key platforms include TeamGantt for smaller teams with unlimited free storage, Notion for small to medium-sized teams needing comprehensive tools, and Jira for larger teams or those using agile methodologies. GitLab stands out for development teams, integrating project management with DevOps, source control, and CI/CD pipelines. Each tool offers unique advantages based on your team’s size, budget, and specific needs.

In 2024, customer success has evolved into a strategic growth engine for businesses, with Customer Success Managers (CSMs) playing a pivotal role in retention, revenue generation, and expansion. The traditional approach of sporadic client interaction has shifted toward continuous engagement, with CSMs specializing in either technical expertise or revenue-focused roles. Companies are embracing AI and data-driven strategies, using advanced analytics to enhance customer satisfaction and uncover growth opportunities. The integration of AI tools, real-time metrics, and personalized customer success approaches positions businesses for sustainable growth and long-term client retention.

In 2024, successful innovation requires organisations to target early adopters and align technologies like AI, IoT, and XR with their strategic goals. The five-step business model innovation process—understanding the current model, assessing performance, recognising disruptions, addressing resistance, and implementing changes—guides companies toward sustainable growth. Combining traditional methods, such as acquisitions and innovation labs, with modern collaborative ecosystems involving internal and external innovators fosters a culture of continuous innovation. This approach ensures businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Deciding between a mobile app and a web app is a crucial choice for businesses in 2024. Mobile apps offer superior speed, performance, and access to device features like cameras and GPS, but they come with higher development costs and the need for platform-specific builds. Web apps are cost-efficient, accessible across devices, and quicker to develop but rely on internet access and offer limited access to mobile features. The decision should be based on factors like your target audience, budget, desired functionality, and the time required to launch, ensuring the best fit for your business needs.

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