Know your path forward when is seems unclear

It definitely sounds like you've been thrown into the deep end a bit! Starting with limited information and a broad mandate like "modernization" can feel overwhelming. Let's break down how you might approach this, focusing on getting your bearings and finding actionable steps.

Here's a potential strategy:

1. Prioritize Understanding the "What" and "Why":

   • Focus on the Stories: Since you're getting stories, treat each one as a clue. What problem does this task aim to solve? What is the desired outcome? Don't just look for the technical details initially.

   • Identify the Pain Points: What are the current frustrations or limitations that these tasks are trying to address? Understanding the "why" behind the work will give you better context.

   • Engage the Stakeholders: Even if they haven't been formally introduced, try to connect with the people who raised these tasks. Ask clarifying questions about the business need and the current process.

2. Categorize the Backlog:

   • Standardization: Group tasks that seem to be about making things more consistent.

   • T13 (High-Risk Vulnerabilities): These likely need immediate attention.

   • Fraud Area: Tasks related to improving fraud detection.

   • Enhancements: General improvements or new features.

   • This categorization will help you see patterns and potential areas of focus.

3. Deep Dive into a Representative Task (Don't Try to Tackle Everything at Once):

   • Pick one story that seems relatively self-contained or interesting to you.

   • Follow the clues:

     • "Find this Source": Where is the relevant code or system involved?

     • "Find the code": What does the existing implementation look like?

     • "Find the inputs": What data triggers this process?

     • "Understand the ticket": What is the specific goal of this task?

   • Map the flow: Try to trace how the current system works for this particular task. Even a high-level diagram can be helpful.

4. Look for Common Themes and Opportunities:

   • As you investigate a few tasks, you might start to see recurring patterns, technologies, or areas that seem ripe for improvement or automation.

   • Are there similar data sources being used? Are there repetitive manual processes?

5. Start Small with Potential "Bridge" or "Factory" Opportunities:

   • You mentioned not always touching the original source code. Focus on identifying where a "bridge" or "factory pattern" might be applicable to integrate systems or abstract complexities.

   • Think about how you could introduce a new, standardized way of interacting with an older system without directly modifying it.

6. Document Your Findings:

   • As you learn, document your understanding of the existing systems, the goals of the tasks, and any potential modernization ideas you have. This will be valuable for your team and for future reference.

Regarding the Fraud Detection Example:

Since you brought up fraud detection, you could pick one of those stories to start with. For example, if there's a task to "improve fraud detection on website checkout," your initial investigation might involve:

• Trying to understand the current checkout flow.

• Identifying where fraud checks are currently happening (if you can).

• Looking for any existing code or services related to fraud.

• Talking to anyone who has worked on fraud-related issues.

It's okay that you don't have all the answers right now. Your initial goal is to explore, understand, and start connecting the dots. Don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions, even if the initial responses feel limited. Your fresh perspective can be valuable.

Which type of task (standardization, vulnerability, fraud, enhancement) feels like the most accessible starting point for you based on the stories you've seen so far? Maybe we can brainstorm a bit more around that.