Software systems are constantly evolving entities. After the initial software design and release, the requirements may change, and new technologies might emerge, which could result in complex and costly maintenance over time, even with well-designed software. Software re-engineering is the process that involves transforming the old software system into a new one with the aim of making it more maintainable, reducing complexity, adding new features or improving its performance. It facilitates revitalizing aged but critical systems and expanding their lifetime by decades – by saving time, cost and effort that should otherwise go to rebuilding of software from scratch.
Deciding If Your Software Needs Re-engineering
Even well-designed software systems may become complex and expensive to maintain with the software evolution. Here are key signs that suggest your software system is a promising candidate for re-engineering:
Increasingly Complex Code Over Time
Over time, the code may start to grow unnecessarily complex as more features and fixes are added. This may lead to a situation where it is hard to comprehend and modify the code properly. Code refactoring and a simplified structure can tackle the increasing complexity that creeps in. A company that provides software re-engineering services as part of the overall modernization of legacy systems can solve these difficulties.
Rising Maintenance Efforts
If the team needs to put a lot of effort into even small bug fixes or modifications, then the software’s maintainability can be challenged. Documentation and modularization are two factors that can be adopted to increase maintainability.
Performance No Longer Meets Requirements
End-user demand is always driven by the need to use superior tools with faster response times and better throughput capacity. The process can be quicker and smoother by optimizing algorithms and data flows.
Core Platform Becoming Obsolete
Software that becomes out of date when there are language, operating system and hardware changes is a maintenance nightmare. Re-engineering the system could let it take advantage of more modern platforms.
Missing Capabilities Holding Users Back
New user requests might be the reason to add new functions that were considered unnecessary during software development. Renovating allows an option to build on the existing functionality and fill the gaps in the area of strong points.
Step-by-Step Re-engineering Process
Once the decision to invest in re-engineering an aging software system is made, thorough planning and systematic execution of the modernization effort are vital for success. Here is an overview of the key phases in the re-engineering process:
Set Clear Goals
Having well-defined goals around the issues re-engineering aims to solve – such as reduced cost, improved quality, and enhanced capabilities, helps guide effective decision-making down the road.
Deeply Understand Existing Software
The first step should involve studying all available documentation on the system’s architecture, data structures, algorithms, interfaces, configurations etc., to gain vital insights. Review code and use tools to analyze complex parts. Such understanding sets the foundation for major reconstruction work ahead.
Design Migration Strategy
Choose appropriate re-engineering techniques while keeping the end goals in mind – this could involve refactoring, restructuring modules, encapsulating functionality, reverse engineering complex sections etc. Define target platforms, tools, team roles and processes.
Improve Documentation
Outdated or missing documentation severely hampers software system maintenance. Re-engineering provides an opportunity to thoroughly document architecture, APIs, operational processes, etc., to aid future enhancement efforts.
Take an Iterative Approach
It is wise to break the modernization effort into smaller milestones, iteratively making incremental enhancements and changes rather than a risky overnight overhaul. Such an agile approach allows testing often and limits the scope of any failures.
Carefully Manage Transition
Plan transitions cautiously to keep existing software functional as re-engineering work progresses until rigorous testing establishes the quality of the new version. Gradual data migration may be required.
Making Re-engineering a Success
Here are some key best practices to help reap the maximum benefits from investing in re-engineering aging but critical software systems:
Re-engineer Before Adding Features
It is usually easier to first refactor complex code and improve structural issues before building new capabilities on a cleaner foundation.
Use Automated Tools Extensively
Employ modern code analysis tools, testing frameworks, refactoring tools and database migration utilities for efficiency, speed and reliability.
Assign Team with Relevant Expertise
Re-engineering greatly benefits programmers experienced in the languages and platforms to which the software will be migrated, as well as experts familiar with the legacy system.
Proactively Mitigate Risks
Analyze risks related to legacy dependencies, budget overruns, team skill gaps, technology compatibility issues, etc. and outline backup plans to address them.
With careful planning and phased execution, re-engineering can give legacy software new life – making it maintainable for decades by reducing complexity, development costs and future enhancement barriers.
