Summer Placement Role: Software Estate Discovery & Cataloguing

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.

Our Company

From our roots in agricultural inspections, Peterson and Control Union have been operating for nearly 100 years in the field of logistics, quality, certifications and risk management. Our in-depth knowledge and experience covers all aspects of the supply chain in many industries including agriculture, energy, forestry, sustainability and textiles