Do you ever feel like you're drowning in a sea of apps at work? It seems like many organizations have jumped on the digital technology bandwagon and ended up with a pile of applications that can cause confusion and frustration among employees, as well as security risks and increased costs. There's an app for filing time sheets, an app for salary slips, and an app to log your company miles. Thanks to Covid, there's now even an app to book a seat.

The fact that this problem persists not just in individual companies, but at a national level, is a major concern. With the increasing reliance on these technologies, the potential damage from a cyber attack could be catastrophic. Have you ever wondered why each state and even cities have their own digital processes/websites/apps for something as basic as a driving license?

"Organized chaos" is the most apt term for the number of collaboration tools, platforms and apps employees are using. It is a result of evolving in an ad-hoc de-centralized manner rather than as the result of strategic decisions.

To streamline processes, it's important to review business priorities and challenges, then isolate key use cases that will drive desirable business outcomes through a detailed evaluation. One approach is to combine workflows into a centralized app, while another is to reduce the number of apps in use. A clear strategy and effective governance, including mandatory policies and best practices, and guidance on the same to the development team, can definitely help. When it comes to technology, it's important to carefully consider not only how it can improve efficiency and productivity, but also the specific technology that will be the best fit for your needs and how it will impact end users and their learning curve.

It may not be an easy fix, but by taking a strategic and holistic approach, there is definitely some hope. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci