Week 10 - System Acquisition, Testing and Changeover PDF

BUS 1202 Introduction to Digital Business Week 10: System Acquisition, Testing and Changeover Learning outcomes Explain the acquisition of Digital Business Systems. Explain Digital Business Systems testing. Explain the changeover Strategies. Digital Business Systems Implementation of Dig...

BUS 1202 Introduction to Digital Business Week 10: System Acquisition, Testing and Changeover Learning outcomes Explain the acquisition of Digital Business Systems. Explain Digital Business Systems testing. Explain the changeover Strategies. Digital Business Systems Implementation of Digital Business Systems Businesses continue to embrace digital transformation. How to successfully adopt and integrate new digital systems into existing operations? Important to understand the acquisition process, testing, and the various changeover strategies. Acquisition of Digital Business Systems  System Vendor Needs Customization Evaluation Assessment and and Selection Integration Needs Assessment Needs assessment involves identifying the specific requirements and objectives of the organization. Must involve key stakeholders and end-users to understand their pain points and expectations from the new system. It helps in aligning the organization's goals with the features and capabilities of potential digital solutions. Vendor Evaluation and Selection Evaluate and select a suitable vendor or software provider based on factors such as functionality, scalability, support, reputation, and cost. Conduct thorough research, request proposals, and review demos to assess the vendor's ability to meet your organization's requirements. System Customization and Integration Customization and integration of the digital business system is necessary to align it with the organization's unique processes. Work closely with the vendor to ensure smooth integration with existing systems and data migration, if required. Quiz What are the THREE processes involved in acquisition of digital business system? Answer: Needs assessment, vendor evaluation and selection, and System customization and integration. Why do companies acquire digital business systems? Enhanced operational efficiency Automate and streamline business processes, leading to increased efficiency, reduced manual errors, and improved productivity. Access to new markets or customers Help companies expand their reach by entering new markets or targeting new customer segments. Tools for digital marketing, CRM, or e-commerce platforms, enabling companies to tap into a broader customer base. Why do companies acquire digital business systems? (cont.) Improved decision-making and analytics Digital business systems often come equipped with advanced analytics and reporting capabilities. Companies acquire these systems to gain better insights into their operations, customer behavior, and market trends data. Scalability and flexibility As companies grow, their existing systems may struggle to handle increased volumes of data and transactions. Acquiring a digital business system that offers scalability and flexibility allows companies to accommodate growth. Why do companies acquire digital business systems? (cont.) Competitive advantage Companies can leverage advanced technologies, such as AI, ML, or data analytics, to gain insights, deliver personalized experiences to customers, innovate faster, and stay ahead of competitors. Enhanced customer experience Companies acquire digital business systems to improve customer experience, foster customer loyalty, and differentiate themselves from competitors. Why do companies acquire digital business systems? (cont.) Cost savings Digital business systems can automate manual tasks, reduce paperwork, eliminate redundancy, and optimize resource allocation, resulting in operational cost reductions over time. Improved collaboration and communication Digital business systems often include collaboration tools, project management platforms, and communication channels that facilitate teamwork and information sharing within an organization. Quiz Which of the following is NOT a common reason for acquiring a digital business system? a) Access to new markets or customers b) Enhancing operational efficiency c) Expanding the physical office space d) Reducing cybersecurity risks Quiz (cont.) Why do companies often acquire digital business systems? a) To enhance their online presence and reach a wider customer base. b) To reduce their reliance on traditional business models. c) To streamline operations and improve efficiency. d) All of the above. Quiz (cont.) What is one benefit of acquiring digital business systems? a) Increased data security and privacy protection. b) Reduced costs associated with manual processes. c) Improved customer engagement and satisfaction. d) Enhanced decision-making through data analytics. Quiz (cont.) Which of the following is a potential driver for companies to acquire digital business systems? a) Increased competition in the market. b) Changing customer expectations and preferences. c) Technological advancements and innovations. d) All of the above. Quiz (cont.) What role does scalability play in the acquisition of digital business systems? a) It allows companies to adapt to changing business needs and growth. b) It ensures seamless integration with existing infrastructure. c) It improves collaboration and communication within the organization. d) It enhances the user experience for customers. Quiz (cont.) How can acquiring digital business systems help companies gain a competitive edge? a) By providing real-time access to market insights and trends. b) By enabling faster product development and innovation. c) By enhancing customer engagement and personalized experiences. d) All of the above. Quiz (cont.) What is a potential risk associated with acquiring digital business systems? a) Increased vulnerability to cyber threats and data breaches. b) Difficulty in training employees to use new technologies. c) Incompatibility with existing systems and processes. d) Limited customization options for specific business needs. Quiz (cont.) How can acquiring digital business systems help companies improve decision-making? a) By providing accurate and real-time data for analysis. b) By automating repetitive tasks and freeing up time for strategic planning. c) By facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among employees. d) All of the above.  Testing of Digital Business Systems How to ensure successful integration? Test! Test!! Test!!! Importance of Testing It ensures that the new digital system meets the organization's requirements and functions as intended. It helps identify and rectify any issues, bugs, or errors before the system is fully deployed. It provides an opportunity to evaluate the system's performance, security, and usability. Types of Testing Unit Testing tests individual components or modules of the software to ensure they work correctly. Integration Testing tests the interaction between different components or systems to ensure they work together as expected. System/Functional Testing is End-to-end testing of the complete system to ensure it meets the specified requirements and verifies that the system performs the intended functions correctly. Automated Testing is tests using automated tools to run tests repeatedly, which can be more efficient and thorough than manual testing. Types of Testing Functional testing verifies if the system performs the intended functions correctly. Performance testing assesses system performance under different workloads and conditions to ensure it meets performance benchmarks. Security testing evaluates the system's vulnerability to potential security breaches and ensures the necessary safeguards. Usability/User Acceptance testing (UAT) focuses on the user experience to ensure the system is intuitive, user-friendly, and meets end-users' expectations. Test Plan and Execution Develop a comprehensive test plan outlining the testing objectives, scope, resources, and timeline. Create test scenarios, test cases, and test scripts to guide the testing process. Execute the tests systematically, record and track the results, and address any issues or defects that arise during testing. What can happen if not enough testing? System Failures and Downtime Inadequate testing can result in undetected bugs, glitches, or integration issues that may cause the new system to malfunction or fail. This can lead to system crashes or operational disruptions. Increased Costs If issues are not identified and resolved during testing and surface during live operation, This can require emergency fixes, patches, or even a rollback to the old system. What can happen if not enough testing? Decreased User Adoption and Satisfaction Users who encounter frequent issues or find that the new system does not meet their needs due to inadequate testing may experience frustration and can lead to resistance to using the new system and a decline in overall user satisfaction. Reputation Damage A product that fails to perform as expected can damage the reputation of the company or developer. News of a flawed product can spread quickly through social media and reviews, amplifying the negative impact. Quiz What is the primary purpose of testing in digital business systems? a) To identify software bugs b) To ensure compliance with industry standards c) To improve user experience d) To increase system performance Quiz (cont.) Which type of testing is performed to verify if a digital business system meets the specified requirements? a) Functional testing b) Performance testing c) Security testing d) Usability testing Quiz (cont.) Which testing approach involves testing the entire digital business system to evaluate its behavior and interaction with external systems? a) System testing b) Unit testing c) Acceptance testing d) Performance testing Quiz (cont.) What is the goal of usability testing in digital business systems? a) To ensure the system can handle large amounts of data b) To assess the system's security vulnerabilities c) To evaluate the system's ease of use for end-users d) To measure the system's response time under various conditions Changeover Strategies Parallel Changeover The new digital system runs concurrently with the existing system for a certain period. It allows for a smooth transition as users can compare and verify results between the old and new systems. It can be resource-intensive and requires duplicate efforts during the transition phase. Phased Changeover It involves implementing the new system in stages or phases, typically starting with a small subset of users or specific functionalities. It provides an opportunity to identify and rectify issues gradually while minimizing disruption to the entire organization. It requires careful planning, coordination, and training. Pilot Implementation The new system is implemented in a small part of the organization first. These methods are lower risk, allows for testing and feedback before full-scale implementation. The goal is to assess performance, usability, and integration with existing systems before a wider implementation. Differences between Pilot and Phased Pilot Implementation: Involves testing a new system or process on a small scale, often within a specific department or group. Phased Changeover: Involves gradually implementing the new system or process across the entire organization in stages. Pilot Implementation: Full deployment of the new system only occurs if the pilot is successful. The pilot serves as a precursor to a full-scale rollout. Phased Changeover: Full deployment is inherently part of the strategy, with each phase building towards complete implementation. Big Bang/Direct Cutover Changeover It involves a complete and simultaneous switch from the old system to the new system. A rapid and disruptive approach that requires extensive testing, training, and contingency plans. It carries higher risks but can lead to a quicker overall transition.  Summary Acquisition of Digital Business Systems Digital Business Systems testing Changeover Strategies Q&A