Summer Placement Role: Software Estate Discovery & Cataloguing
Overview
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented summer placement student to support a group-wide initiative to catalogue and better understand our software estate. This project will create a clear, structured view of the applications used across the organisation, supporting improved governance, cost control, and strategic decision-making.
Scope of Work
The student will be responsible for building out a comprehensive inventory of software applications across the business. This includes:
* Validating and enriching an existing list of ~290 known applications
* Identifying additional (previously undocumented) software in use across teams
* Engaging with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation to gather information
* Capturing key data points for each application, such as:
* Purpose and functionality
* Business owner and/or key contacts
* Usage across teams or regions
* Support and maintenance arrangements
* Contractual details (where available)
* System longevity and lifecycle status
Approach & Responsibilities
* Conduct interviews and outreach with business and technical stakeholders
* Work independently to track down information and follow up where needed
* Maintain accurate and well-structured documentation
* Provide regular progress updates and highlight gaps or risks
* Bring curiosity and initiative to uncover unknown or shadow IT systems
Key Skills & Attributes
* Strong communication skills and confidence engaging with a range of stakeholders, including senior colleagues
* Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage their own workload
* Analytical mindset with attention to detail
* Organised and methodical approach to data collection
* Comfortable working with spreadsheets or data capture tools
Duration
* Approx. 8–12 weeks (summer placement)
Outcome
By the end of the placement, the student will deliver a structured, validated software inventory, along with insights into gaps, risks, and opportunities for rationalisation or improvement