An Assessment Conceptual Framework for the Modernization of Legacy Systems

Legacy systems modernization is one of the most common issues for enterprise organizations. As technology is changing rapidly, enterprises need to upgrade legacy systems and ensure suitable modernization. Evolving legacy systems to new ones can give new life to the existing applications; however, if the modernization process is not done correctly, it can lead to failure. Making valid decisions on the choice of modernization strategy and achieving successful evolutionary system require addressing the full modernization project life cycle. Accordingly, we propose in this paper an assessment and decisional framework for legacy systems modernization (ADF-LSM). ADF-LSM includes the main steps of migration strategy to guide the modernization process. Also it introduces quality metrics modeling at business, information systems and infrastructure levels, to assess the system and integrate the new needs of evolution. We validate the applicability of the quality metrics of the application level thorough a case study involving a control system for practically arbitrary automated vehicles. Our case study results show that the quality metrics identify well the current issues list and benefits needed to modernize a system.