Using the Gartner TIME Framework for Application Rationalization

This guide presents the Gartner® TIME framework, which stands for Tolerate, Invest, Migrate, and Eliminate, as a structured approach for application rationalization. The framework is designed to help organizations assess their application portfolios by evaluating each application's technical and functional fit. Technical fit refers to the application's quality and maintenance requirements, while functional fit assesses how well the application meets business needs. The guide outlines the four quadrants of the framework, detailing the criteria for categorizing applications into Tolerate, Invest, Migrate, and Eliminate. It emphasizes that applications with high technical fit but low functional fit should be tolerated, while those with high functional fit warrant investment. The document also discusses best practices for managing applications within these categories and encourages ongoing evaluation of applications to ensure alignment with business goals. Overall, the guide serves as a comprehensive resource for organizations looking to optimize their application portfolios.