What are the phases of the system implementation process? What strategies for managing change can we use to increase the system’s organizational acceptance and use?
For any system to be implemented properly certain steps should be or must be followed for success of the project. There are quite a few phases necessary for the system implementation process and while the order does not necessarily have to follow exactly, all are important.
The workflow and project analysis process involves several steps and one of them is to evaluate currently used procedures and processes. By doing so, the next step of identifying opportunities for improvement is made much easier. One would then identify interfaces with other systems and sources of data as well as determining the number and location of workstations needed to the end project. If necessary, a redesign of the location for the system could be part of this process (Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P., 2009).
According to (Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P., 2009), system installation would follow the preceding phase and this is when system configuration is determined. Preparation of the computer room along with ordering and installing the needed hardware is important. The IT infrastructure if already in place should be upgraded where necessary and then the customization of software completed. Of course, the system needs to be tested repeatedly.
At some point in the implementation process staff will need to be properly trained on the new system. Updated procedural manuals need to be created (Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P., 2009).
If there is existing data already on a pre-existing system the information contained on that system needs to be converted to the new systems capabilities. After this is done, the data should be tested for any flaws in the conversion process (Wager, K. A.,