How mature is your IS?

To effectively map an Information System (IS) and progress in maturity, it is crucial to follow a structured path that leads to in-depth, operational knowledge of the IS. Each stage of maturity brings a finer understanding of applications, infrastructure, business processes and data management. Carto-SI, an expert in mapping solutions, accompanies companies throughout this process, facilitating each stage for optimum IS control. Here is a detailed guide to the stages of maturity for successful mapping.

1. Application maturity: initial knowledge of applications

The first stage of maturity consists in establishing an overview of the applications deployed in the IS. This phase aims to identify and document each application, enabling technical teams to better understand the application landscape and to take control of critical dependencies. Key actions include :

• List applications: Group and name each application, detailing its function within the IS.
• Define application managers: Identify project or technical managers for each application, ensuring traceability and better communication when modifications are required.
• Map flows between applications: This task enables you to visualize the interactions between different applications, helping you to anticipate the potential impact of a change on the whole IS.

This first step provides a solid foundation by drawing up a precise inventory and identifying strategic applications. By defining roles and interdependencies, technical teams can more easily manage changes and ensure service continuity.

2. Infrastructure maturity: mastering technical architecture

Once the applications have been mapped, the next step is to focus on the technical infrastructure. This involves representing the physical and logical components that support applications and the network, such as servers, databases and network equipment. This phase involves :

• Mapping technical components: Identifying servers, routers, databases and other essential components.
• Mapping component dependencies: Establish links between technical components, but also between the infrastructure and the applications it supports.
• Identify infrastructure managers: Ensure that each critical component has an identified manager for optimized, responsive management.

At this level of maturity, we discover how technical architecture directly influences applications and business processes. Mapping the infrastructure enables us to better anticipate breakdowns, optimize security and facilitate diagnostics in the event of failure.

3. Business maturity: aligning IS with business processes

Mature mapping is not just about technical aspects; it must also reflect alignment with business processes. This level of maturity provides a business-oriented view to help understand the impact of applications on business processes. This stage includes :

• Mapping business processes: Detailing each business process, from activities to specific tasks.
• Linking applications to business tasks: Associating applications with the different tasks or activities they support, to clarify their role in business operations.
• Assess the impact of an application change on business processes: Identify how technical changes could affect business activities, ensuring better continuity and minimizing interruptions.

This maturity stage transforms mapping into a strategic management tool. Decision-makers can then see the links between technology and business, facilitating decision-making during IS evolution or technological migrations.

4. Data Maturity: Mastering Data for Increased Compliance and Security

The final maturity stage focuses on data mapping. Data management is a major issue, particularly with regulations such as the RGPD. This phase centralizes sensitive information and ensures compliance and security. Steps include:

• List application objects and sensitive data: Identify the types of data (personal, financial, etc.) and the application objects that handle this data.
• Draw up a data processing register: Create a documented data processing database, essential for compliance with legal obligations and personal data protection.
• Establish a data management policy: Ensure ongoing monitoring and good security practices for sensitive data, including data protection officers (DPOs) and governance protocols.

At this stage, IS mapping has reached a level of maturity where data management is perfectly mastered. Companies can now anticipate the potential impact of changes, guarantee enhanced security and remain compliant with current regulations.

Carto-SI: Support at every stage of maturity

Carto-SI plays a key role at every stage of IT maturity, offering tools and methodologies adapted to each stage. Whether it’s to create an application view, an infrastructure map, or a business and data view, Carto-SI supports organizations in building an exhaustive, sustainable map. The solution enables everyone involved, from technical teams to business units, to work together, facilitating communication and the alignment of objectives.

Why follow these Maturity Stages?

This step-by-step approach helps companies move forward in a structured way, without rushing through the stages. Mapping then becomes not only a technical management tool, but also a strategic asset that optimizes IS resilience, security and performance. With Carto-SI’s support, each step becomes a lever for better anticipation, analysis and management of the IS in a constantly evolving digital environment.