What is a key outcome of having a well-defined application retirement strategy?

A well-defined application retirement strategy aims to effectively phase out legacy applications while ensuring that any associated data is managed properly to minimize loss. By having a systematic approach to retirement, organizations can identify the best methods to decommission applications, often allowing for the safe migration or archival of important data before the application is taken out of service.

This strategy contributes to a smoother transition to newer systems and technologies, ensuring that operations remain uninterrupted during the changeover. It often includes planning for data retrieval, adherence to compliance requirements, and the safe disposal of applications that are no longer beneficial to the organization. Moreover, a strategic approach helps in allocating resources effectively, thus reducing interruptions and maintaining operational efficiency.

In contrast, the other options present potential pitfalls that a well-defined strategy seeks to avoid. The aim is to mitigate risks rather than exacerbate them, thereby allowing for an organized, responsible, and effective phase-out of older applications.