Project Implementation – Closure
For system implementation in project closure, there are 3 approaches that can be choose by team:
- Direct cutover
The direct cutover approach (as illustrated in picture above) can be used to replace an existing product or system. In short, the old product or system is shut down and the new product or system is released or turned on. In general, a target, or release, date is agreed upon, and the new product or system simply replaces the old. This approach is also appropriate when releasing a new product or system, when quick delivery is critical, or when the existing product or system is so poor that it must be replaced as soon as possible. Direct cutover may also be appropriate when a system is not mission critical—that is, the system’s failure will not have a major impact on the organization. It is important, however, that the new product or system be thoroughly tested so everyone is confident that few, if any, major problems will arise.
- Parallel
The parallel approach to implementation allows the old and the new product or system to run concurrently for a time. At some point, the organization switches entirely from the old Target date Old system New system to the new. The parallel approach is appropriate when problems or the failure of the product or system can have a major impact on the organization.
For example, an organization may be implementing a new accounts receivable package. Before switching over completely to the new system, the organization may run both systems concurrently to compare the outputs of both systems. This approach provides confidence that the new system is functioning and performing properly before relying on it entirely
- Phased
Following the phased approach, the product or system is released in modules or in different parts of the organization incrementally as illustrated in picture above. For example, an organization may implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system by first purchasing and installing the general ledger component, then accounts payable and accounts receivable, and so forth. The phased approach may be appropriate when introducing a software system to different areas of the organization. When upgrading an operating system, for example, the IT department may perform the upgrade on a department-by-department basis according to a published schedule.
Comparison of Implementation Approaches
