Application owners play a critical role in enterprise IT, but what exactly does that mean? The scope of responsibility can range from minimal check-ins once a month to full-time strategic oversight. In this guide, we break down the four key types of application owners—from Monitor to Subject Matter Expert—and help you align the right level of responsibility to each application in your environment.
🔍Want to improve your application owner program? Access the Ultimate Guide to Application Owner Program Success for a deeper dive.
Table of Contents:
What is an Application Owner?
An application owner is accountable for the operational success of a business application. However, this role can vary depending on the organization, application criticality, and IT maturity. From low-effort oversight to high-touch administration, application owners may:
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Approve updates and changes
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Ensure application performance and compliance
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Support testing and version control
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Serve as a key stakeholder in modernization efforts
The 4 levels of Application Ownership
Based on insights from global enterprises, we’ve outlined four distinct levels of application ownership—each with its own responsibilities and expected time commitment.
1. Application Monitor
💼 Effort: Low (10–15 minutes per check-in)
Ideal for low-priority or rarely updated applications, an Application Monitor has limited responsibilities, such as:
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Subscribing to vendor updates
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Identifying new releases
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Recommending updates when security patches or major changes occur
✅ Juriba App Owner supports Application Monitors with automated reminders and update tracking.
2. Application Coordinator
💼 Effort: Moderate
This role requires more proactive involvement. Responsibilities typically include:
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Testing and validating application packages before deployment
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Tracking update implementation across user devices
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Recommending rationalization of duplicate or unused applications
⚙️ Tools like Juriba's App Readiness testing capabilities help streamline functional testing in virtual environments.
3. Application Administrator
💼 Effort: High
An Application Administrator takes on greater technical and operational tasks:
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Managing licenses and access (especially for SaaS apps)
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Performing basic packaging tasks
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Monitoring version sprawl and initiating cleanup
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Ensuring compliance with security and accessibility certifications
📦 Juriba's App Readiness packaging capability empowers Administrators to handle packaging with minimal technical skill.
4. Application SME (Subject Matter Expert)
💼 Effort: Very High (Strategic & Tactical)
The Application SME is a strategic leader and technical authority. Their tasks include:
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Providing Tier 3 support and internal training where the helpdesk cannot address app queries
- Deliver application training to the organization
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Managing vendor relationships and monitoring SLAs
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Staying informed of product roadmaps and market changes
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Supporting strategic planning around application lifecycle and modernization
🔍 Juriba App Readiness enables SMEs to track deployment status, version details, and device/user distribution.
Which Application Owner level is right for you?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Many organizations start by assigning Application Monitor responsibilities to all owners, then scale up to Coordinator, Administrator, or SME levels based on application complexity and business value.
To avoid overload, limit high-effort roles to the most critical apps or spread responsibilities across your team.
How Juriba helps you run a successful App Owner Program
With solutions like Juriba App Owner and Juriba App Readiness, your organization can:
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Reduce manual effort
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Automate reminders and updates
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Improve visibility across your application estate
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Empower owners with the right tools for their role
🎉 Now available: Sign up for a 60-day free trial of Juriba App Owner and start building a smarter, more scalable application owner program.
