Result

The workstream “Value-stream-oriented IT Platform Strategy” analyzed the growing importance of IT platforms as a critical approach for modern businesses seeking to optimize their operations, drive innovation and improve scalability. As platforms have fundamentally changed the way organizations manage and streamline their value streams – defined as the series of steps an organization takes to deliver a product or service to its customers – there is an increasing need for businesses to adopt a strategic perspective on how these platforms can be leveraged effectively. 

The workstream published a whitepaper that serves as a guide for understanding the complexities of a value-stream-oriented IT platform strategy and summarizes a detailed analysis of the theoretical foundations, including definitions, platform components, types of platforms, the technologies that support them and the revenue models they enable. Additionally, it addresses the role of value streams in shaping how platforms should be integrated and optimized.

On the practical side, the whitepaper discusses the key drivers for platform adoption, such as the need for agility and operational efficiency, while also highlighting the challenges, including risks like vendor lock-in and integration difficulties. It explores the critical role of Enterprise Architecture in ensuring that platforms are successfully embedded into the broader IT landscape. 

The key findings can be summarized as following:

• Effective platform integration is crucial for maximizing platform efficiency and functionality.
• Selecting the right operational model is key to align platform performance with strategic goals.
• Platforms offer improved cost efficiency but require strategic planning to avoid risks like vendor lock-in.
• Consolidated platforms enhance security management but must be carefully integrated to avoid risks.
• A successful platform transformation requires a holistic approach that ensures agile cross-functional collaboration and addresses both technical and organizational factors to drive sustainable change.
• Platforms enhance operational efficiency by simplifying knowledge management for the platform itself, aligning IT with business needs and facilitating access to broader expertise.