As you continue working as IT manager for HWE Accessories, you’ll work this week to compile components developed throughout this course and create a post-implementation plan. Finalize your business

Introduction

This is an implementation plan for HWE Accessories, and it includes the changeover approach, data insertion and migration, configuration management, and lastly, the release process for updating the system. Let us start by looking at the changeover approach.

The Changeover Approach

According to Lightfoot (2021), system changeover is “concerned with the smooth shift from one way of doing things to another and the mitigation of disruption to business activities during the changeover”. There are three examples of the changeover approach, and they include parallel running, direct changeover, and phased implementation (Lightfoot, 2021).

Phased implementation involves changing a part of the system and when it is fully working, you can change other areas (Lightfoot, 2021). Parallel running is when the new and the old system run in parallel to compare the reliability and the efficiency of the new system (Lightfoot, 2021). Direct changeover is when the old system stops being used, and the new system is used instead (Lightfoot, 2021). We will use parallel running, where the testing server and the production server will run in parallel to compare how they work.

Data Insertion and Migration

According to Raymond (2021), data migration is the “process of transferring data between different types of file formats, databases, or storage systems”. Raymond (2021) adds that “data migration can involve more complicated processes like data mapping and re-formatting”. We will use the trickle data migration where the entire process will be broken down into different phases and each phase will have its timeline, scope, quality checks, etc. The data migration process will entail planning, data auditing and profiling, data backup, migration design, execution, testing, and post-migration auditing.

Configuration Management

According to Roseke (2019), the project configuration is the “process of tracking and controlling changes to important project documents and products”. Roseke (2019) adds that this “includes the project’s deliverables as well as project management documents like the schedule”. We will use the CFEngine configuration tool. According to Software Testing Help (2019), CFEngine is a “configuration management tool that provides automation configuration for huge computer systems, inclusive of the unified management of servers, systems, users, embedded networked devices, mobile devices, and systems”.

Release Process for Updating the System

The website will use WordPress as the Content Management System and WooCommerce plugin as the online payment plugin. We will update WordPress and WooCommerce soon as the third-party companies have released updates.

References

Lightfoot, D. (2021). What does system changeover mean? Hrzone.

https://www.hrzone.com/hr-glossary/what-does-system-changeover-mean

Raymond, M. (2021). Data migration guide: strategy success & best practices. Varonis.

https://www.varonis.com/blog/data-migration/

Roseke, B. (2019). What is project configuration management? Project Engineer.

https://www.projectengineer.net/what-is-project-configuration-management/

Software Testing Help (2021). 11 best software configuration management tools.

https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/top-5-software-configuration-management-tools/