55 applications assessed and mapped
Application portfolio rationalisation identified
Strategic transformation roadmap developed
Stronger governance and sustainability framework established
I just want to extend my appreciation to Charlie, Olivia, and the team for really doing a fantastic job with everyone here. To have done everything within the timelines that were set – I think that is actually very impressive.I know for a fact that we will benefit from this report, and we will implement quite a number of changes as a result.
Gilleh Thomas, Head of App Development
Define it
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine required a structured review of its internally developed applications to identify opportunities for consolidation, integration and improved governance.
Over time, applications had been developed organically across different business functions. This had created a fragmented digital landscape, with duplicated functionality, inconsistent ownership and limited visibility of how applications supported wider processes.
The review identified several key challenges:
- A fragmented application landscape: Multiple applications performed similar functions, increasing complexity for users and placing additional demands on technical support.
- Limited system integration: Some applications were not fully integrated with core platforms, particularly Dynamics 365, resulting in manual data entry and spreadsheet-based workarounds.
- Inconsistent user experience: Differences in interfaces, login processes and notifications made some applications difficult to navigate.
- Limited governance: The absence of formal application lifecycle governance had contributed to the continued growth of the application portfolio.
Reliance on manual processes: Where applications were not well understood or easy to use, teams continued to rely on Excel and parallel manual processes.
Improve it
CI Projects led a structured discovery and analysis phase to build a clear picture of the existing application landscape. Through stakeholder interviews and workshops across departments, we gathered insight into how each application was used, the processes it supported, and the challenges users experienced. We complemented this with a detailed application inventory documenting each system’s purpose, workflows, and integrations.
Using voice-of-customer feedback, usage data, and Lean Six Sigma techniques, we analysed recurring issues and identified the root causes of duplication, manual work, and inconsistent adoption.
Working collaboratively with the organisation’s IT leaders, we:
- Assessed 55 in-house applications across business functions.
- Identified overlapping systems and opportunities for consolidation.
- Highlighted obsolete applications suitable for retirement.
- Examined opportunities to improve integration with Dynamics 365.
- Developed a prioritisation framework to evaluate proposed improvements.
- Facilitated validation workshops to test and refine the recommendations.
- Produced a phased strategic roadmap aligned with organisational priorities and delivery capacity.
- Prepared board-ready recommendations and supporting business cases to enable informed decision-making.
The resulting roadmap provided a practical pathway to simplify the application portfolio while improving integration, usability, and data-driven workflows.
Sustain it
We embedded sustainability throughout the review to ensure improvements could continue beyond the initial project.
We recommended a formal governance framework, supported by a Programme and Project Office, to strengthen oversight of application development and lifecycle management. This would help the organisation assess future application requests consistently, manage ownership more effectively and prevent unnecessary duplication.
We also proposed creating a User Knowledge Centre, providing staff with accessible guidance, one-page resources, and best-practice templates. This would support user adoption, improve understanding of available digital tools and reduce reliance on manual workarounds. At the end of the project, we delivered a detailed roadmap presentation and knowledge-transfer session with IT, application development and leadership stakeholders. Each recommendation included a clear explanation of what was required, why it mattered, and how it could be implemented, along with proposed ownership, timelines, and success indicators.
Key benefits
- Reduced application complexity: Consolidating overlapping systems and retiring obsolete applications provides an opportunity to simplify the portfolio and reduce support requirements.
- Lower maintenance overhead: A smaller, more focused application landscape can reduce the effort and cost associated with maintaining duplicated systems.
- Greater process efficiency: Improved integration with Dynamics 365 and other core systems can reduce manual data entry and accelerate workflows.
- Better user experience: Addressing inconsistent interfaces, login issues and missing notifications provides the foundation for simpler and more accessible digital tools.
- Improved application governance: A formal governance structure enables stronger oversight of new developments, investment decisions and application lifecycles.
- Increased user capability: Centralised guidance and training resources can help staff make better use of available applications and reduce spreadsheet-based workarounds.
- A clear route to implementation: The phased roadmap gives the organisation a prioritised and achievable plan for delivering improvements over time.
