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