Implementation Plans and Teams

IACT424/924 Corporate Network Design and Implementation

Overview

Where does network design fit within the organization

Planning the implementation: accommodating uniqueness

Key components of implementation plans

Test plans

Implementation management teams

Scale of Implementation

Definitions

Implement Merriam Webster Carry out, accomplish; Especially : to give practical effect to and

ensure of actual fulfilment by concrete measures

OED To complete, perform, carry into effect (a contract,

agreement, etc.); to fulfil (an engagement or promise).

Where Does Network Design Fit Within the Organization?

Business Planning Network Design Implement Network Operations

Define Objectivesand Requirements

Create Initial Solution

Define DeploymentStrategy

Review and Approve

DevelopArchitecture

Develop DetailedDesign

Create BuildDocumentation

Review and VerifyDesign

CreateImplementation Plan

Procure Resourcesand Facilities

Stage and Install

Certify and Hand-offTo Operations

Develop Operations Policies and Capabilities

FaultManagement

ConfigurationManagement

Change Management

PerformanceManagement

Where Does Network Design Fit Within the Organization?

Business Planning Network Design Implement Network Operations

Define Objectivesand Requirements

Create Initial Solution

Define DeploymentStrategy

Review and Approve

DevelopArchitecture

Develop DetailedDesign

Create BuildDocumentation

Review and VerifyDesign

CreateImplementation Plan

Procure Resourcesand Facilities

Stage and Install

Certify and Hand-offTo Operations

Develop Operations Policies and Capabilities

FaultManagement

ConfigurationManagement

Change Management

PerformanceManagement

Planning the Implementation: Accommodating Uniqueness

Implementations are not all the same If you conform to to the same

implementation routine you risk getting trapped

Implementation Plan

The implementation plan is the single greatest point of failure of many technology strategies

A successful plan should incorporate various components and should be highly detailed, controlled and monitored

Key Components of Implementation Plans

Definition of needs and deployment of resources

The redesign of existing business processes and the technical infrastructure to meet the efficiencies that can be achieved with the new technology

Installation and customisation of the software and/or hardware

Key Components of Implementation Plans

Conducting comprehensive training on the redesigned processes as well as the application or hardware

Testing the process and technology in a controlled environment

And rolling out the new processes and technology

Implementation Plan Documents

The most current state of the work to be done is represented by the Implementation PlanThe Documents found in prototypical implementation plans include: Deliverables Document Work Statements Sign-Off Sheets Schedule

Problem Log Test Plan Implementation

Management Teams Problem Reports Change Log Change Request Configuration

Management Implementation

Resource Requirements

Implementation Plan Documents

Deliverables documentOutlines what decisions have been made

and what deliverables have been promised

Work statementsWritten by each person or group involved

in the implementation and define in detail what deliverables they are responsible for

Implementation Plan Documents

Sign-off sheets In effect these are contracts that formalise

acceptance of deliverables by the person responsible for accepting them

ScheduleShows times and date that each

deliverable must be accomplished by

Implementation Plan Documents

Test plan An English narrative describing concisely what has

to be done Testing seeks to find errors of commission and

omission made during the design, development and implementation phases

What do you test? Everything in the implementation plan

Terminology should be defined and clarified between team members

Test PlansType of Testing Definition Synonyms

Unit Testing Each individual unit Modular

System Testing Every NE that utilises a particular system

Application

Integration Testing An entire stream of systems

User Acceptance Testing An entire stream of systems UAP

Regression Testing Pre-existing functionality not impacted by the implementation

Stress Testing Doing ‘bad’ things to the system

Volume Testing Full production volumes of data Capacity

Restart Test System can be restarted as required

rerun

Implementation Management Teams

Implementation management teamsAdminister the logistical problems of

implementing the system

The Implementation Plan should document

Teams dutiesWho is on the teamRoles and responsibilities

Implementation Management Teams

Types of implementation Management Teams Installation Management TeamProblem Report TeamProblem Management TeamChange Management Team

Implementation Management Teams

Installation Management Team Deals with problems that occur as system or

product is being installed Responsibility is “mission critical”

Members should not be ‘out-of-town’ during system installation

These are the people you call at 2am when the installation has problems

Membership Senior Manager responsible for an area of IS Mid-level managers responsible for particular systems

Implementation Management Teams

Problem Report TeamReviews problem reports as they occur Identifies, prioritises, assigns problem

solutionsAllows problems to be addressed efficientlyConcerned with problems that impact

across systems or application groups

Implementation Management Teams

Problem Management TeamThis team is called in when problems have

not been resolved within a few daysTypically there are different problem

management teams to address different areas of the implementation

Membership of the Problem Management Teams should be documented in the implementation plan

Implementation Management Teams

Change Management TeamReviews all items necessitating changes to

the plan and existing systemsOne of the most common issues is

mismatched expectationsShould ensure that there are no “un-

documented” changes made and hence helps to ensure stability

Tools

Problem log

Problem reports

Change log

Change request

Configuration management

Implementation Resource Requirements

Implementation resource requirements Documents all resources required by the

implementationPersonnelHardwareSoftwareetc

Implementation Plan

Evaluate resultsThe continuing evaluation of the results

that are being achieved with the new processes and technology is paramount to a successful process

The results should be monitored closely and adjustments made where needed, on a timely basis

Scale of Implementation

Will/Do your employees use the Internet frequently?Do you anticipate a large volume of traffic between branches?Do plan to use videoconferencing?Who will use your connection to the Internet? Office Dial in from home Dial in from remote locations