Technology Dependency Management

Have you ever considered the technology behind how you are reading this article? The web server delivering it, the network infrastructure ensuring accessibility, and the countless systems working behind the scenes to make it all possible? Now, take a moment to think about the website application itself and the various technologies, libraries, and components that enable its functionality.

The list of dependencies among systems, services, and applications is undoubtedly extensive. Managing these dependencies effectively is crucial for ensuring operational stability, mitigating risks, and maintaining business continuity.

The Importance of Dependency Management

Now, let’s shift our focus to your organization, specifically the systems and services you and your team control.

Imagine this scenario: A team member applies an update, either manually or through an automatic process. This could be a firmware update for a network switch, an access point, a physical server running virtual machines, or a component within an application technology stack. If an issue arises such as a system failure or an unexpected bug; how quickly can you identify the affected components?

Consider another situation: A major software vendor releases a security advisory regarding a newly discovered vulnerability in one of its components, urging immediate patching. Can you quickly determine if your systems, services, or applications are at risk?

And one the last scenario: You have a proactive change to a system, service or component – Do you know what workloads or applications will be affected?

In all cases, any interdependent relationship introduces potential risk. Understanding these relationships is key to proactive problem solving and maintaining a secure environment.

Understanding Dependency Terminology

So far, we have discussed explicit “dependencies.” However, in dependency management, not every relationship is strictly defined as a dependency. Other terms can add valuable context include:

• Dependency – A component that relies on another for functionality.
• Relationship – A connection between two or more systems or services.
• Integration – The way different technologies work together to deliver a solution.
• Transition – Changes in dependencies due to updates, migrations, or architectural shifts.

There are likely more terms that can describe these interconnections – feel free to add your own to this list!

Recording and Managing Dependencies

Understanding dependencies is just the beginning; properly documenting them is what brings real value.

1. IT Landscape Documentation – Begin by cataloguing all essential systems, software, and services within your organization. I previously wrote an article on this topic (Why it’s important to document your IT).
2. Create a Dependency Register – A well structured dependency register should provide a clear view of interconnected systems, ideally through a user friendly interface that visually maps relationships.
3. Present the Data Effectively – Documentation and visualization tools make it easier to analyse dependencies, assess risks, and troubleshoot issues efficiently. Without these, navigating dependency-related challenges becomes significantly more difficult.

Conclusion

Dependency management is an important practice for ensuring system stability, diagnosing issues, and mitigating risks. By maintaining a documented IT landscape inclusive of dependency information and selecting the right tools to visualize relationships, organizations can enhance their ability to respond to updates, vulnerabilities, and changes in their technology landscape. View this YouTube video for a simple dependency management solution.

Do you have experience managing dependencies in your organization? What challenges have you faced, and what strategies have worked for you? Would love to hear your experiences.