Employee Training

Continuing with the paper developed in Weeks One, Two, and Three, add an additional 2 to 3 pages (700 to 1,050 words) describing your plans for training employees and preparing them for system changeover. Include the following:

Develop a schedule of activities to prepare for training and to conduct the training.

Describe the resources that will be needed for training, including training materials, the training methods to be used, and training schedules for each of Brewton’s locations.

Explain how training can be organized to provide training and keep the business operating.

Prepare a 4- to 5-slide PowerPoint® presentation that will provide general information to the company employees about how the startup of the new system will affect them and what to expect in each of the stages of deployment.

Prepare a project budget itemizing each area of expenditure required to complete the application implementation.

Describe the proposed implementation project approval process, identifying stakeholders who will authorize the project team to go forward with the plan.

Incorporate feedback from your previous assignments.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Update your project plan to include the tasks associated with this assignment.

Running head: TESTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

TESTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 4

Testing and Quality Assurance

Michael Boddie

Application Implementation

CMGT/445

Michael Goyden

December 18, 2017

Introduction

Data migration is an important element to consider when adopting a new system

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Data migration process is very crucial within any organization and failure in this phase can be catastrophic. According to Bloor, a researcher, data migration have tendency to fail as about 60 percent of IT project have not succeeded due to poor data migration plan. The following describes user accepting plans for Brewton Enterprises as company seeks to finish its last phase in the implementation of the new software.

Data Conversion Plan

A project manager must ensure that a data conversion plan have four essential features. First, a data conversion plan must be robust and resilient i.e. must manage all the aspects of data extraction, transformation, validation, and cleansing. Second, a data migration plan must be rapid i.e. must take advantage of the target facilities so as to enable rapid processing. Third, a data conversion plan must be recoverable incase failure happens. Lastly, a data migration plan must be reusable i.e. it must have the ability to reuse components in other systems. A project manager must then choose which data conversion strategy is the best and most suitable according to the needs of the organization. There are two types of migration strategies which are trickle migrations and big bang migrations. For this case trickle migration is the best as it takes an incremental approach to migrating data. Additionally, this strategy provides zero downtime and can also be implemented with real-time processes to move data.

The first process of migrating existing data to the testing platform is planning. In here the project manager defines what is achievable in terms of what data sources. Additionally, it is at this stage that scope is redefined, a resource plan, and a plan budget is set-up. During scope refinement, it is where a high-level analysis is done of the target and source systems is conducted in a close consultation with business users. It is at this stage that an analysis of the existing system as well as the new system is done so as to understand how the new system works. A review and documenting the existing code is also done.

The second process is data assessment. In here the project manager assesses the quality of the source data. Data profiling is also done here. Profiling helps in identifying data defects. Additionally, data assessment helps in evaluating the conformity of the data and also ensuring that data is compliant to project requirements of the target system. Data assessment also includes examining the actual record value of its metadata information. Through data assessment a project manager is able to identify whether data fits the business purpose. The project manager is also able to successfully integrate the source data using the data quality process.

The third process is migration design. In here the project manager is required to define the technical architecture and design the migration processes. Additionally, the project manager is required to define testing processes. In this phase is also where the project manager includes data migration timelines and all the technical details. The forth process is execution. In here data extracted from the source system, transformed, cleansed and it is then loaded into the target system the rules of data migration. This phase requires synchronizing the source and the target data after the initial data load is finished.

The last phase is testing, follow-up and maintenance. In this process is where one ensures that all the data has been successfully migrated and met all organization requirements. It is also where a system retirement policy is created to address the old system. Additionally, ongoing data quality enhancement is also done and monitor the quality of data of the new system (Morris, 2012).

Test Environment

One major objective of acceptance testing is to ensure that the software is ready for use and also to provide confidence. There two types of testing which are verification and validation. Validation involves the process of executing the actual code of the software while verification involves evaluating, reviewing, and inspecting the software. A testing environment is a set-up of hardware and software for the testing teams.

For this case the key areas to set-up in a test environment includes test data, database server, system and applications, installation guides, network, and hardware which includes the server operating system. The people involved in test environment set-up include system admins, testers, system users, and system developers. Testing environment also requires setting up of the test server and network. It also requires bug reporting tools which should be provided to the system testers (Project Management Institute, 2017).

Methods and Procedures to be used to conduct Testing

To conduct testing phase for this system. The testing team ought to create a unit test plan which identifies the features of the system to test, all inputs of the system, and all outputs of the system. It also important of the testing team to define the scope of testing and discrete values of the test data that are necessary to run the tests.

There are various methods and procedures employed by software testers to test the quality and check if a certain software has met its goals. For this software application the best methods to test the new system is to use a combination of alpha testing, acceptance testing, GUI testing and unit testing. The major aim of alpha testing is identify defects in the system before releasing it to the users. This method of testing is carried out by the system programmers aiming at identifying possible issues that can arise with the system. Acceptance testing method is performed by Brewton Enterprises users. This testing methods helps in verifying if the end to end flow of the system is as per the initial requirements. It also checks if is as per the needs of the end user of the system. Acceptance testing method is part of the last phase of functional software testing. This phase involves making sure that the system meets project requirements. This type of testing ensures that the end-user meets all the defined project requirements which was done in the requirements phase. Graphical User Interface testing tests GUI features i.e. text formatting, buttons, text boxes, font sizes and fonts. This method often involves the users, system developers and project sponsors. Unit testing involves testing individual components and modules that make-up the system (Kerzner, 2017).

Conclusion

The ultimate aim of data migration is improve Brewton Enterprises performance and deliver a competitive advantage. To succeed in this project, data migration phase must be given the attention it deserves, rather than simply considering it part of larger underlying project.

References

Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management. Place of publication not identified: John Wiley & Sons.

Morris, J. (2012). Practical Data Migration. Swindon: British Informatics Society Limited

Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: (PMBOK® guide). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA: Project Management Institute.

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ENTERPRISE BUSINESS SOFTWARE APPLICATION 4

Preparing For System Implementation

Michael Boddie

Application Implementation

CMGT/445

Michael Goyden

December 4, 2017

Introduction

Whenever a company gets the opportunity to develop something new, it is always of great importance to ensure that the best initiatives are activated for a successful process. The following paper highlights the needs for Brewton Enterprises as the company seeks to go through development and implementation of a software application.

Challenges

In this case that the company is faced with the sensitivity of project implementation, it is necessary to include top level stakeholders in the process. This will include the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operations Officer, the Sales and Advertising Director, the Human Resource Director, the Information Technology Director and the Systems Director. The inclusion of these key stakeholders comes in the realization that it would be perilous to leave any of them out, if the implementation plan is to work.

Running head: ENTERPRISE BUSINESS SOFTWARE APPLICATION

ENTERPRISE BUSINESS SOFTWARE APPLICATION 2

Each of the stakeholders will have vital roles to play in the plan as enumerated here onwards. As the overall leader of the team of stakeholders, Mark Brewton will act as the cohesive power amongst them and ensure that the process of implementation goes hand in hand with the general expectation of the company. It may however be challenging for the team to work in the presence of the C.E.O, citing the limiting of freedom. It is however very important to have Mark on the team, to closely coordinate with William Hunter, the Chief Operations Officer. William will be responsible for identifying all the resources, (including human resource) needed for the completion of the implementation plan. Mark and William will need to agree on virtually everything in the process to ensure that every other person on the team work effectively.

Possible challenges that may arise in working with the C.O.O would be the lack of coordination with all other stakeholders to accurately identify all the resources in need.

William will then have to consult with Barbara Scharer, the Chief Financial Officer in order to streamline the resources needed with necessary financial spending. The C.F.O will be of great importance in keeping the financial aspects of the implementation plan in check. This includes budgeting for the process and ensuring minimum spending for maximum achievement in quality. At this level, it would be very key to ensure the keeping of financial records for the purpose of auditing the whole process and the end product. The biggest anticipatable challenge in the involvement of the C.F.O would be the lack of sound financial records to follow through the process.

Human Resources

The Human Resource Director and the Information Technology Director will provide human resource needed to implement the plan, while the Systems Administrator will be involved in testing the application before it is approved. The Sales and Advertising Director will be instrumental in searching or creating a market for the end product, and raising awareness on it to boost sales. During the development and implementation phase of the project, it is anticipated that there could arise a challenge in coordinating a human resource force that is comprised of company employees and outsourced experts. In this case, it will be necessary to hold a meeting between the project manager, the Chief Executive Officer, the Human Resource Director and the Chief Operations Officer. The meeting will be necessary because there will be the need to provide a common working ground for everyone.

Computer and Network Resources

Computer and network resources necessary for the operation ability of the system will include CAC readers and protection software that will secure the whole system against viruses and malware. The process will require the intervention of specialized human resource who will be tasked with key roles in preparation of System Deployment and System Documentation especially involving the preparation of the software requirements specifications document. Others will be tasked with the conversion of data, testing the system, trainers who will rigorously train the new users of the system and finally, the launchers of the system.

Conclusion

The issues addressed above would enable the best possible working plan for the successful implementation of the System Application. The exclusion of one or two stakeholders from the process does not point to the notion that they are insignificant. For this reason, the project manager provides room for an external observer for the whole process. This position can be filled by anyone of the top level leadership in the company who has not been included in the list of key stakeholders.

References

Linthicum, D. S. (2010). Enterprise application integration. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley.

BPM (Conference), Rosa, M., & Soffer, P. (2013). Business process management workshops: BPM 2012 International Workshops, Tallinn, Estonia, September 3, 2012. Revised papers. Berlin: Springer.

In Shanks, G., In Seddon, P. B., & In Willcocks, L. P. (2013). Second-wave enterprise resource planning systems: Implementing for effectiveness. New York, N.Y: Cambridge University Press.

Runninghead: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 4

Implementation Strategies

Michael Boddie

Application Implementation

CMGT/445

Michael Goyden

December 11, 2017

Introduction

Project communication is very critical to the success of any project. It is also critical to key project management soft-skill. As a project manager, project communication is one deliverable that they are personally responsible for and it was of the largest influence over the failure or project success. There are main elements of project communications examples are project sponsors, customers, project team members, project manager, and project management office.

Project communication plan

The major objectives of a communication plan are; to encourage the use of project management best practices, ensure a consistent, give accurate and timely information about the project, and to promote and gain support for the project management improvements.

Table 1 below shows the target audience

Project stakeholders

Message

Delivery method

Delivery Frequency

Communicator

Project Sponsor

Project plans and status report

Meeting
Report sent via mail to project sponsor

Weekly

Project manager

Project core team

Project plans

Meeting

Weekly

Project manager

Executive management

Project briefing

Oral briefing and presentation of slides

Monthly
Biweekly

Project manager

Programmers

Project briefing

Oral briefing

Daily

Project manager

Users

Project status

Meeting and presentation slides

Weekly

Project manager

Communication message contents

A project plan shoes a guide of project execution and project control. Then document also shows approved scope of the project, the cost, and schedule. Project plans shows the current and future plans. The documents also shows project problems and issues. Project plan also shows planned project deliverables for the next period. The status report, keeps the key project stakeholders informed. It is shows status summary, status budget, status scope, accomplishment, issues, and project team members. Project briefing shows project issues and problems, it also shows goals of project management improvement, and project checklist (Project Management Institute, 2017).

Documentation Required

There are eight essential documents required for this project. First is a project charter. This document formally recognizes the project creation and the formal contract between project sponsors, project stakeholders, and commercial agreement. Project charter documents gathers aspects related to the contracting and the contacted example is the project name, the goals of the project and the needs that the project it serves. Project charter also shows a brief description of the project, feasibility study, the project products i.e. training manuals, supporting, and monitoring post release of the project. A project charter also shows the intermediate products which are delivered at each and every stage which must be at the end of each stage. A project charter also shows project sponsors, the project manager responsible and the project users. A project charter also shows the resources that are required that is preliminary budget which has to show values scaled by steps. A project charter also shows restrictions on the use of information, the procedures that are required in each change of scope and the procedures that are required for approval of the project.

The second document required is the project management plan. A project management plan is a document that defines how a project is executed and monitored. It also shows how a project is controlled. The documents also shows subsidiary plans. There are six elements that must be included in a project management plan which is baselines for scope, schedule, and cost. A project management plan has to the elements of requirement management plan, change management plan, process improvement plan, and configuration management plan (Snyder, 2010).

Project scope plan is another document that documents project objectives and project scope. A project scope plan also facilitates a dealing with the changes that arise when undertaking the project. A scope is a briefing that shows all the project objectives that are needed to be achieved. A project schedule plan is a set of project phases with prominent tasks. The document also shows the start and expiration which dates of the contract. This documentation is what most of project stakeholders would wish to see every time there are called for a weekly meeting. A project team plan is a document which keeps track of activities, resources, project costs, work packages, and the project critical path. A project work plan also shows project milestones. This is a very essential document as it shows work guideline for the core project team (Sisco, 2001).

Quality assurance plan is another essential document which tracks the quality standards for project deliverables. Additionally, quality assurance plan also shows tools and quality policies, quality metrics, acceptance criteria, and product defect severity grades. The project risks plan is a document contains a risk assessment matrix. This document is prepared by a project manager. Project risk plan must also include risk strategy. There are four potential strategies that must be included in a project risk plan which are avoid risk, mitigate risk, accept risk and transfer risk. Avoiding risk shows change plans to circumvent problem. Mitigating risk reduces impact or the likelihood through intermediate steps. Acceptance risk take the chance of negative impact an eventually budget the cost. Transferring risk is a portion where the project team transfers a risk to a third party. In overall project risk plan shows possible solutions to risks. It is very important to keep all this eight documents updated as they all required by project stakeholders (Kerzner, 2017).

Change Control Process

A properly change control process has seven processes must be employed on the project to properly manage any disruption of the project. The first one is to identify what aspect is to be improved. This can involve identifying a resource, an objective, and project members. Second is presenting a solid case to the project stakeholders. Third is planning for change. Forth is to provide resources and use data for evaluation. Fifth is communication which identifies planning, onboarding and executing good change. Lastly is reviewing, revising and continuously improving the change initiated.

Tasks to be Out-Sourced using Consulting Services

One of the tasks to be carried out by consulting services are; first is performing an external risk assessment for the project. External risk assessors tests the underlying transactions which form the basis of the business function. Internal risk assessors advise the management on the major operations of the project. This means external risk assessors has the ability to recommend on mitigation activities in case a certain risk assessors. For internal risks assessors the cost is lower than for external risk assessors’ doe to the extensive audit experiences. Additionally risk assessors can participate in the remediation effort. One of the challenge with external risk assessors is that it is not built on the cost structure to conduction the risk assessment. Additionally, if it is included when undertaking the project it can cause the budget to creep (Stackpole, 2013).

References

Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management. Place of publication not identified: John Wiley & Sons.

Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: (PMBOK® guide). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA: Project Management Institute.

Snyder, C. (2010). A user’s guide to the PMBOK guide. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

Sisco, M. (2001). IT project management. Columbia, Tenn.: MDE Enterprises.

Stackpole, S. C. (2013). A User’s Manual to the PMBOK Guide. Hoboken: Wiley.