During the implementation stage, the application development will occur in the process. However, the organization has to keep in mind the requirements before starting the application development process, and these would include the user interviews, review of requirements documentation, and a timeline of the project on when it will be completed. The IT specialists will now develop the backend of the new HR system.
Within the implementation stage the developed system and data bases are installed in the production environment, and other activities are conducted to ensure that the system operates and can be used effectively during production. Some of the most significant activities of this stage include: 1) Training system users, operators and other affected personnel, 2) Converting data from existing automated and manual systems and data bases into the new system and data bases, 3) Conducting acceptance testing of the system and obtaining approval to fully implement the system, and finally, 4) Installing the system in the production environment.
Riordan Mansion, Flagstaff
Riordan Mansion, Flagstaff
Riordan Mansion, FlagstaffImplementation is a process which builds on the results of all previous stages. It also uses approaches for system and acceptance testing, data conversion, and training which were prepared in preliminary form during the concept phase and have evolved and become more specific in subsequent stages. A successful system implementation is likewise of paramount import, as deficiencies in implementing the system will cripple the initial use of the system. As noted in Leithead and Leith's article entitled The Importance of implementation issues in achieving control, "The performance achieved often depends extremely strongly on the extent to which the implementation issues are resolved." (Leithead, & Leith, 2002) If these deficiencies need to be addressed at a later date, they will most assuredly be more difficult and costly to address at that time than if they were resolved during implementation.
The six major activities of the implementation stage would consist of coding, testing, installation, documentation, training and support. Coding of the design will deal with the backend work, such as the tables and data structures, administration functions and interface for the new system, and the user interface will finalize the coding. Testing phase will begin once the modules are finished. In addition, the testing will be performed against a test environment that was setup to mirror the current HR system. Then finally, the user ability testing will occur to ensure that the design process will be compatible in a real life environment. The installation stage will take place in the production environment, where the HR and the organization will be scheduled and coordinated with the new system. As for the documentation stage, the data will be recorded for new employees or users and employees who did not partake in the design, to see how the new system is structured, put together, and how support the application in certain troubled scenarios. The training phase can consist of one-on-one sessions or group sessions depending on the size of the organization. However, the HR staff needs to grasp the knowledge from the IT specialists to pass on the employees at Riordan Manufacturing. Finally, the support phase will be in the hands of the IT help desk at Riordan, since they have experience and knowledge in the new application, especially with trouble shooting issues.
Having a clear set of repeatable processes for use in this implementation phase is also of great importance for the sake of ensuring quality in the system's performance, and it doesn't simply mean doing something over and over again. "Anything can be done once, twice, or three times, but that doesn't mean it's repeatable." (Sugimoto, 2010) Repeatable is further defined as the "ability to perform an action or produce an outcome virtually an infinite number of times without the predictable loss of quantity or quality." (Sugimoto, 2010) The benefits in using the defined and repeatable processes are that it not only saves time and money, but effort by multiple workers as well. As author P. Byrd notes, "As professional developers we rarely work alone on projects. We normally have to turn in a piece of a bigger puzzle that must be documented, tested, and integrated with someone else's work." (Byrd, 2004) Having proven and easily duplicated methods will allow developers to reuse the previous code in a framework; therefore, saving money and time in the development process. The same way goes for the documentation; creating templates for the documentation saves time and allows the documenter to create the documents needed.
With all of this information and a patient team of developers, Riordan should have no trouble creating and deploying their new and up-to-date human resources information system. It will no doubt be more efficient, dependable and cost-effective given the suggestions and proposals outlined and detailed herein. âÂÂReferences:Riordan Manufacturing. (2004). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Riordan/Internet/IndexPort.htmFeasibility study - why needed before programming . (2007). Retrieved from http://www.exforsys.com/tutorials/programming-concepts/feasibility-study-why-needed-before-programming.htmlHoffer, J., George, J., & Valacich, J. (2002). Modern Systems Analysis & Design, 3rd ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Application architecture & process design. (2010). Retrieved from http://web.simmons.edu/~benoit/LIS486/ApplicationArch.htmlAmbler, S. (2009). Data flow diagrams. Retrieved from http://www.agilemodeling.com/artifacts/dataFlowDiagram.htmPhysical data flow diagram. (1996). Retrieved from http://sysdev.ucdavis.edu/webadm/deliverables/d3-/d3-8-1/d3-8-1.htmLeithead, W. E., & Leith, D. J. (2002, August 6). The Importance of implementation issues in achieving control goals. Retrieved from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=663271Sugimoto, G. (2010, January 21). The Value of a repeatable process. Retrieved from http://www.ghensugimoto.com/?p=31Byrd, P. (2004, November 7). The Importance of repeatable processes. Retrieved from http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/paytonbyrd/the-importance-of-repeatable-processes-2102