CFBS Implementations eBook - Flipbook - Page 10
Implementation
Phases
• PLANNING & DISCOVERY
10
• DATA MIGRATION
• SYSTEM TESTING
• TRAINING
• USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING
• GO-LIVE
• POST GO-LIVE
All phases of the implementation are important,
but the Planning & Discovery and System Testing
are arguably the most critical. The Planning &
Discovery phase includes the kickoff meeting with
the users and engages them for their input on the
system. Their input helps craft the configuration of
the system and helps to identify opportunities to
streamline activities in your business. Another
benefit is that the users become invested in the
system which helps with go-live.
The phases of implementation appear to be
sequential, however, that is not always the case.
Initial dates will be assigned to tasks in each area
that are specific for your implementation. Then,
based upon the actual (vs. planned) activities for
your specific implementation, dates may be shifted
forward or backwards as required. Also, data
migration may initially consist of the core system
tables with supporting or transaction data being
migrated closer to system testing.
System Testing may be considered the most
important phase. System Testing is sometimes
referred to as the mock go-live which allows you to
assess the system’s readiness for production. In
the mock go-live (depending on the engagement),
we will execute the full data conversion as we
planned for go-live. Then transactions from a
specific day will be processed in the new system
by the users to confirm the functionality. For
project based businesses, one day’s worth of
transactions is insufficient. In this case, we will
perform unit testing of key project areas with
transaction data dated as normally found within a
typical project.
