PROJECT SCOPE
Legacy application modernisation services
Use legacy application modernisation services when your business needs independent expertise to improve, update or restructure agreed parts of an existing software environment.
The employer chooses the talent, agrees the software context, scope, timeline, deliverables and rate directly, then manages the collaboration.
- Define the existing application and expected outcome
- Share the current codebase, systems and technical context
- Agree the scope, timeline and deliverables with the talent
- Find talents across Europe and beyond where Stripe operates
SCOPE
What legacy application modernisation services cover
Legacy software modernisation can support agreed work around an established application, codebase or software environment that needs to change.
Existing application modernisation
A software modernisation consultant can support agreed changes within an established application or software environment.
Codebase modernisation
Codebase modernisation services can focus on defined parts of an existing codebase where the required outcome is clear.
Application refactoring
Software refactoring services can form part of a modernisation job when agreed changes are needed within existing software.
Legacy .NET context
Where legacy .NET modernisation is part of the job, describe the current application, technical context and expected outcome clearly.
Legacy Java context
Legacy Java application modernisation can form part of a defined job where the existing software environment and required changes are understood.
Architecture change
Some modernisation jobs involve agreed changes to software structure or architecture.
Software architecture services
Monolith and service-based context
Where a monolithic application and a move towards a different software structure are part of the job, define the existing environment and intended direction clearly.
Integration with newer systems
Legacy applications may also need agreed integration work with other software or systems.
Related software work
Some jobs need wider custom development, project rescue or product-discovery support beyond the modernisation scope.
WHEN IT HELPS
When businesses use legacy software modernisation
Legacy software modernisation can help when an existing application still matters to the business but needs agreed technical changes or additional development capacity.
Improve an established application
Bring in independent expertise when an existing application needs defined technical or structural changes.
Address an ageing codebase
A specialist can support agreed work where an older codebase needs focused improvement rather than complete replacement.
Add modernisation capacity
Independent support can reinforce an internal software or engineering team during a defined modernisation job.
Prepare the essentials
Useful starting information includes:
- The existing application
- The current codebase or software environment
- Known technical constraints
- Existing integrations
- Teams involved in the software
- People responsible for review and approval
- The outcome you want from the modernisation work
DELIVERABLES
Typical scope and deliverables
Legacy application modernisation can be organised around understanding the existing environment, completing the agreed changes and preparing the updated software for employer review.
Getting started
At the beginning of the job, the employer and talent can review:
- The existing application
- The current codebase
- Known technical constraints
- Existing integrations
- Teams involved
- The expected outcome
Ongoing delivery
The talent can carry out the agreed modernisation, refactoring or related software-development work included in the job.
Quality and feedback
The employer and talent can review completed work against the agreed requirements, deliverables and acceptance criteria.
Handover and continuity
Where useful, include agreed software notes, system information or other documentation that helps the employer continue managing the modernised application.
TALENTS
Talents and skills involved
The right professional depends on the existing application, technical environment and level of modernisation responsibility involved.
Software development consultant
A software development consultant can support agreed modernisation work alongside broader software-engineering decisions.
Software development consultants
Software architect
A software architect may be relevant where the job needs stronger technical direction or architecture experience.
Software architecture services
Embedded software engineer
An embedded software engineer may be relevant where the legacy software sits within a device or embedded environment.
Software integration specialist
Integration experience may be relevant where the modernised application needs to continue working with other existing systems.
Existing-system experience
Look for experience that matches the software environment and the engineering, product or business stakeholders involved in the job.
JOB
How to write the job
A useful legacy modernisation job explains the current application, technical context and expected outcome without prescribing every implementation decision in advance.
Describe the outcome
Explain what you want the modernisation work to achieve. For example:
- Improve an agreed part of an existing application
- Modernise a defined part of a legacy codebase
- Refactor agreed software components
- Support structural changes to an existing application
- Add modernisation capacity to an internal engineering team
Explain the software context
Describe the current application, codebase, known constraints and any existing systems or integrations the talent needs to understand.
Add the working context
Include details such as:
- Existing application or codebase
- Current software environment
- Known technical constraints
- Existing integrations
- Internal technical involvement
- Important dates or timing
Explain the engagement
State whether you need:
- A defined modernisation job
- Support for part of a wider software job
- Support alongside an internal technical team
- Ongoing legacy software support
The employer and talent can refine the scope, timeline and rate after starting a conversation.
EVALUATION
How to compare software modernisation talents
Start with relevant legacy-software and software-development experience, then use direct conversation to understand how the talent approaches existing systems.
Relevant legacy experience
Look for previous work involving established applications, older codebases or software environments similar to your own.
Existing-system understanding
Ask how the talent approaches modernisation when the application is already in active use.
Technical context
Discuss the current codebase, architecture, integrations and known constraints that form part of the job.
Collaboration
Ask how the talent works with engineering, product or other stakeholders involved in the software.
Handover and continuity
Discuss what agreed software information, notes or documentation your team will need when the work is complete.
Talent profiles are reviewed and approved by the VirtualMasst team before employers can see them. The employer still decides which talent is right for the work.
COST
Cost, timeline and engagement factors
The employer and talent agree the rate directly. Several parts of a legacy software modernisation job can affect the commercial structure.
Application scope
A narrowly defined change and a broader application-modernisation job can require different levels of work.
Existing codebase
The structure and condition of the existing codebase can affect the starting point for the job.
Technical constraints
Older software environments can involve constraints that affect how the agreed work is approached.
Existing integrations
Applications connected to other systems can require additional coordination and technical understanding.
Architecture context
A job involving agreed structural or architecture changes can require different expertise from a smaller codebase update.
Teams involved
Work involving several engineering, product or business teams can require more coordination and review.
Adding work later
As the collaboration develops, the employer and talent can discuss additional modernisation responsibilities and agree how they affect the scope, time and rate.
VirtualMasst facilitates project pre-funding and payment through Stripe. Current platform charges are listed on Pricing.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Find the right software modernisation talent
Start with the existing application, codebase, technical constraints and expected outcome. Post the job, explore relevant profiles and start a conversation with the talents whose experience fits the work.
The employer chooses the talent, agrees the scope, timeline and rate, manages the collaboration and approves the completed work.
Software development consultants
Software architecture services
YOUR NEXT STEP
Find the right software modernisation talent
Start with the existing application, codebase, technical constraints and expected outcome. Post the job, explore relevant profiles and start a conversation with the talents whose experience fits the work.
The employer chooses the talent, agrees the scope, timeline and rate, manages the collaboration and approves the completed work.
Post a job
Find software specialists