Many agencies that handle mission-critical functions still rely on outdated and legacy software applications that have evolved into complex and costly solutions over time. These legacy systems sit at the heart of daily business operations—and have a negative impact on efficiencies, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall mission outcomes.
While most stakeholders agree that modernization is needed, they also know it’s a complicated undertaking. There is no “one size fits all” solution. Many organizations have attempted big bang approaches to modernize and have failed due to inadequate planning and lack of a proper strategy up front. So what’s an agency to do?
An agency with a bold modernization vision
The Surface Transportation Board (STB), an independent federal government agency charged with the economic regulation of various modes of surface transportation, primarily freight rail needed to update an aging system that could not keep up with evolving agency needs. The STB required a ground-up rebuild of their existing suite of legacy applications, as part of larger systems modernization initiatives.
The STB contracted with ICF and selected Appian as the modernization backbone of the new case system. Goals included:
Overcoming obstacles
Before beginning the modernization work, we needed to overcome some key technical challenges, including:
We scoped, designed, and implemented the Appian-based application in planned incremental releases, delivering essential functionality from the MVP initial release in November of 2019. We ran ongoing, continuous legacy data and document migration efforts in parallel with incremental application development to ensure that all new application modules worked seamlessly for both migrated and new records. Highlights of the solution:
Strong results
This modernization project allowed us to create a highly robust, adaptable, and dynamic case management solution (DCMS) to support the STB’s mission of addressing rail regulatory matters. DCMS brings modern, cost-effective features that are more secure, scalable, and flexible—enabling the Board to better track documents. DCMS also captures user needs from all STB organizational units.
By adopting an Appian-centric platform-based approach, STB is achieving standardization, efficiencies, improved development velocity, a common user experience (UX), enhanced quality, and stronger security of their mission-critical business processes.
Disclaimer: The Surface Transportation Board, as a government agency, does not endorse products or services.
Learn more at icf.com/digital.
Mr. McCormick is responsible for leading the day to day operations, strategic direction, and business development for ITG's Appian Practice. He has extensive experience as a hands on Business Process Consultant/Developer as well as successfully leading business development efforts. Mr. McCormick has developed the practice's core competencies in Appian BPM Implementation & Consulting, Systems Development Integration, and Cloud Solutions. He is an ITIL V3 and Appian Certified Consultant and holds a Bachelors in Business – Marketing Information Systems from James Madison University.