Testing, Training and Cutover
Testing
Using the business and technical requirements defined at the start of
the effort, JCS will work with members of your functional and technical
teams - and with members of the solution vendor's staff - to define a
testing strategy and test plan, develop test cases and expected results,
define and establish a testing environment, execute tests, and document
results.
Testing efforts should address not only whether the system is working
as designed, but also that the business processes are functioning as
they should. Testing should confirm that everything from an
individual field on the screen to the entire flow of information
throughout the system is working properly. JCS can assist in
planning, executing and documenting the following types of testing
activities:
- Unit Testing
- System Testing
- Integration Testing
- Acceptance Testing /
Conference Room Pilot
- Volume and Stress Testing
- Failover and Recovery
Testing
- Regression Testing
Training
JCS can help define and execute a training strategy and training plan
to train just a few or several hundred users of the new system. We can
help clients develop training materials in a variety of formats,
including paper-based, electronic, or via the web. We can design
and deliver train-the-trainer programs, or can train groups of users in
a classroom or virtual setting. We can also train individual users
in a highly specialized and personalized setting. We can assist in the
delivery of 'at the elbow' training, where one of our team members works
side-by-side with your staff as they learn to work with the new system.
Cutover
Cutover planning is another crucial element in the success of a
systems integration effort. A well-planned and executed cutover is
extremely important in gaining acceptance and support for the new
processes and technology being implemented.
Good cutover planning requires that you think of literally everything
that needs to happen, when it needs to happen, and who needs to make it
happen. It involves making sure that everyone is well informed,
that expectations are appropriate, and that backup plans exist for any
issues that may arise. It includes a variety of important steps,
including documentation of a formal go/no-go decision by the appropriate
parties, a 'countdown' or cutover checklist of key steps that need to
take place - and in what order - just prior to turning the system on,
and go-live support which often includes staffing of a specialized
help
desk or 'SWAT team' function focused solely on supporting the cutover to
the new system.
JCS has helped plan, manage, and execute the cutover phase on
literally dozens of projects, large and small. We have a strong
reputation for leaving "no stone unturned" in the cutover process, and
for helping clients achieve a smooth and positive transition to their
new systems.