How can you manage dependencies between systems and applications in your network?

1 Identify dependencies

The first step to manage dependencies is to identify them. You need to know what systems and applications depend on each other, and what are their specific requirements and constraints. You can use various methods to identify dependencies, such as documentation, diagrams, interviews, surveys, or automated discovery tools. Depending on the size and complexity of your network, you might need to use a combination of these methods to get a comprehensive and accurate picture of your dependencies.

3 Monitor dependencies

The third step is to monitor your dependencies regularly and proactively. You need to keep track of the health and performance of your systems and applications, and detect any anomalies or problems that might affect your dependencies. You can use various tools and techniques to monitor your dependencies, such as logs, alerts, dashboards, or reports. You should also establish metrics and thresholds to measure and evaluate your dependencies, such as availability, reliability, latency, or throughput.

4 Manage changes

The fourth step is to manage changes to your dependencies in a controlled and coordinated way. You need to follow a standard process and procedure to plan, test, implement, and verify any changes that might impact your dependencies. You should also communicate and collaborate with other teams and stakeholders to ensure that everyone is aware of and aligned with the changes. You can use tools and frameworks such as change management software, version control systems, or DevOps methodologies to manage changes effectively and efficiently.

5 Resolve issues

The fifth step is to resolve any issues that arise with your dependencies in a timely and appropriate way. You need to troubleshoot and analyze the root cause of the issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions to restore normal operation and prevent recurrence. You should also document and report the issues and their resolution, and learn from them to improve your dependency management practices. You can use tools and methods such as incident management software, problem-solving techniques, or post-mortems to resolve issues effectively and efficiently.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?