Technology consulting

ThoughtWorks experts have completed hundreds of real-world projects, spanning technologies from legacy mainframe to the latest in web, mobile and data architectures. We help organizations that need advice firmly grounded in real-world expertise, provided by specialists who are accustomed to making sure the job gets done.

We primarily offer Technology consulting in these areas:

• Systems Healthcheck - Take stock and identify opportunities for big improvements, efficiencies and cost savings in a complicated IT environment. (Read more below)
• SOA Strategy – We help clients navigate the array of vendor offerings, differing approaches, and many pitfalls in the successful implementation of an SOA.
• Architecture Review and Guidance – ThoughtWorks' considerable expertise and strong reputation in software architecture helps you review and evolve your systems landscape.

We would be happy to discuss how our Technology Consultants can help you specifically, just contact your nearest ThoughtWorks office.

Systems Healthcheck

ThoughtWorks' Healthcheck offers a way to map even the most complicated systems landscape; its results are concise and have a practical focus - ready to inform tactical decision-making or long-range budgeting and planning. With the cumulative impact of growth, mergers, downturns and market changes, the typical IT base is made up of a disparate mix of legacy systems and newer technologies of varying (and often hidden) complexity. Using the most advanced techniques we go in-depth to measure and report on systems in several dimensions relevant to technical staff and executives.

The Systems Healthcheck creates a roadmap for IT priorities grounded in metrics and presented in a way that speaks plainly to all involved. It is particularly helpful when you are trying to answer specific questions – where investments will be most effective, where and why current platforms are most at risk of breakdown, how to “de-dupe” systems after a merger – or if you need a frank assessment of your portfolio strengths and weaknesses for planning.

How does Healthcheck help?

We do a rapid investigation of the systems across an organization – using the latest in diagnostic tools combined with advanced software theory – and then complete an assessment of the value and fit of the various systems to the organization overall. So you not only see where the technical problems and opportunities are, but also the relative costs and benefits.

The healthcheck will then focus on the specific questions you need answered:

Does your business depend on legacy technology? We will review and advise on maintenance vs rewrite or replacement, but also identify deficit areas where maintenance will return the most value if the system is retained.

Need to cut costs? We can show you which systems are contributing most to the business – and least. Are there cheaper (or free) alternatives to major parts of your architecture? We can tell you.

Have mergers or acquisitions created system function overlaps? The Healthcheck can map the best way to consolidate a portfolio, taking account of technical factors such as architectural fitness, performance and scalability as well as flexibility for the future.

How do we do it?

Depending on your needs we might use an array of tools from toxicity measures to system complexity visualizations and test-to-code ratios. But each Healthcheck is tailored to your specific needs and environment – we don’t believe in off-the-shelf solutions for you, or us.

Download the brochure

• US version
• UK / AUS version

Get in touch

If you are ready for a Healthcheck or would like to talk about what it involves, simply contact your nearest ThoughtWorks office and we'll arrange to meet up and talk it through with you.