Life Cycle Extension Strategies For Legacy Systems

This paper examines how the characteristics of a system determine the appropriate method that should be used for its life cycle extension. Such systems are termed legacy systems because they are approaching the end of their useful life, preventing them from maintaining their operational objective. Legacy systems were examined because they are expensive to maintain, can pose environmental hazards, and can hinder an organizations performance if not addressed adequately. My study developed a model to identify characteristics of legacy systems and the methods that should be used to extend the life of a legacy system possessing those particular characteristics. The model was evaluated by examining an example legacy system; a missile system in the defense industry; and noting the characteristics associated with it. These characteristics were then used to compare the method the organization chose to extend the life of its system with the method of life extension our model suggested it use. The study used case study research and pattern matching to evaluate its results; which determined if the model correctly predicted the life extension method the organization should chose. Theses results indicate the model can be used to suggest appropriate methods for life extension of legacy systems.