Final Testing Before Implementation
| This testing phase involves the installation of the system or application in its live configuration. To all intents and purposes, the system is live, but with some differences: It is still under the control of the development project, and a parallel element will probably be running. The system or application being replaced might continue to run until the final operating capability is declared. At that point, the new system is truly live. The final testing phase is often of critical importance because it is the first time that the users get to see the system or application running in the live environment. It is at this stage that unexpected problems are most likely to occur, normally because of something on the operational network that has been overlooked or not considered to be of any consequence. The initial operating capability provides additional time for these problems to be rectified. Initial Operating CapabilityWhen the system and user acceptance testing has been successfully completed, the system or application can be declared to be in initial operating capability (IOC). This is a state of readiness for full operational status. The system or application is installed, and the users start to conduct their normal business using the new product. The IOC phase allows the system to run normally, but with the advantage of being monitored by technical staff. Any changes or modifications that are required at this stage must be subject to configuration management and must be delivered as patches, with accompanying documentation. Some initial tuning may be required to enhance performance. This will result in the documentation being amended and redelivered as a new version. At this stage, the system that is being replaced will still be running, and the two might be operating in parallel. Results can be compared as a final check to ensure that the functionality of the new system is correct. Final Operating CapabilityWhen a new product has completed IOC, its status changes to final operating capability (FOC). This is the point at which the system or application is said to be truly live. There can be no changes to the system without using the formal change mechanism. The source code for any applications should be under configuration control, as well as all the supporting documentation. At this point the formal responsibility transfers to the system manager or staff members in charge of support and maintenance. Any changes to the software will be delivered in the form of a patch and will be subject to formal authorization procedures, the same as other live systems. The system or application that was being replaced can now be disabled or switched off. |
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EAN: 2147483647
Pages: 101