The Hidden Challenges of Software Modernisation and NFRs
- Wayne Glover
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
Introduction
Legacy systems often struggle to handle peak loads and consistently deliver a smooth, uninterrupted user experience. In many cases, implementations fail to meet expectations for speed and reliability, particularly during periods of high demand. Performance and availability degrade significantly, sometimes requiring drastic measures such as disabling functionality to maintain stability in critical areas.
These issues typically stem from flawed solution design and poor optimisation. The impact includes increased scaling and resourcing requirements, rising operating costs, and platforms that cannot sustainably support future growth. Without addressing these limitations, further expansion only amplifies the problems and restricts the potential to grow the user base.
The Problem
In many software projects, nonfunctional requirements (NFRs) are treated as an afterthought rather than a core part of the development process. This lack of early focus leads to systems that may function correctly in isolation but fail under real-world conditions. Common issues include poor performance under load, limited resilience, and restricted scalability. These problems increase operational costs, cause user dissatisfaction, and reduce long-term value for the business.
The Solution
Nonfunctional requirements are often vague, ambiguous, or lack accurate performance testing metrics. However, they should be treated just like any other requirement. They are integral to the delivery process rather than a separate or secondary consideration.
By involving business stakeholders, solution architects, product owners, and using insights from legacy system analytics, teams can define precise NFR documentation and secure alignment across the organisation.
Nonfunctional requirements define how a system operates rather than what it does. They typically fall into categories such as Security, Capacity, Scalability, Performance, Availability, Recoverability, Monitoring and Alerting, Compatibility, and Usability.
To help prioritise which NFRs matter most, teams can also use frameworks based on quality metrics. These help identify which requirements are critical depending on the solution being delivered or the problem being solved.
Building confidence in a solution through NFR alignment requires careful planning, coordination, and cross-team collaboration. This involves activities such as daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and technical discussions with performance testing teams to optimise resource usage.
Effective release management ensures a shared understanding of the process and supports consistent tracking of features and defects. Cost efficiency improves through well-defined approval processes for resource scaling, while representative environments help ensure accurate data management and reduce contention.
Cross-team coordination plays a vital role in defining responsibilities during Operational Acceptance Testing. Prerequisites such as access, repository setup, and branching strategy need to be addressed early to enable successful penetration testing. Targeted analysis supports this process by delivering concise, actionable insights to key stakeholders.
The Goal
The goal of any modern solution is to be robust, resilient, and production-ready. Adoption depends on delivering strong performance in live environments and building trust in the system’s ability to handle real-world usage and peak demand scenarios.
Following a structured approach to NFR integration helps reinforce the value of nonfunctional requirements within the business. It promotes a culture of proactive planning and solution design that supports scalability, performance, and long-term reliability.
Key Takeaways
These key takeaways summarise the core practices that help ensure NFRs are successfully embedded into the development lifecycle:
A clear understanding of expected growth and usage patterns informs NFR
documentation and ensures performance testing is appropriately scoped.
Well-defined NFRs, including volumes, load, and concurrency across both peak and off-peak periods, guide solution design and architecture.
Test environments replicate production-like configurations and data volumes to generate meaningful results.
Streamlining delivery into performance test environments is critical, as inefficient release processes can lead to costly delays and rework.
Conclusion
Establishing strong foundations early in a project is essential. This includes securing buy-in from both key stakeholders and delivery teams. A clear understanding of performance expectations and future growth informs every aspect of solution design, helping avoid unnecessary rework, delays, and spiralling costs.
Efficient environment management, from deployments to resource scaling, reduces delivery effort and helps maintain consistent progress. Leveraging team expertise, encouraging feedback, and sharing knowledge across disciplines all contribute to a more effective and aligned delivery model.
Treating NFRs as a priority rather than a checklist item results in solutions that meet high standards of performance, stability, and user satisfaction. When they are embedded through structured processes and clear accountability, NFRs provide a scalable foundation that supports long-term success. Meeting user expectations consistently is not only a delivery goal; it is a key driver of trust, growth, and business value.
