How can you manage dependencies in complex IT Operations changes?

From a Release Management perspective, below expectations to be set. 1. Define Scope of Change - What is in Scope of work - What is not in Scope - Change Categories 2. Agreed Objectives of Change - Purpose - What are the Business Goals - Define Measurable Outcomes 3. Risk Assessment - Identify and Assess Risks - Devise Mitigation Plan 4. Stakeholder Involvement - Identify Relevant Stakeholders - Communication Plan, remember no surprises 5. Managing Change Process - Workflow - Roles and Responsibilities 6. Estimate Timeline and Milestones - Schedule - Dependencies 7. Define Success Criteria 1. Acceptance Criteria 2. KPIs

From the perspective of Release Management, fixing the scope of the release at the earliest opportunity provides the baseline for any late entries or removals to be impact-assessed against - this, in my opinion is a key fundamental for determining dependencies.

Dependencies in software development projects are initially identified during PI planning and again during design and development phases as teams elaborate plans and make architecture and design choices. Success is when you have a Program Manager who has a comprehensive understanding of the demand intake and release management schedules for the dependent engineering teams. You must understand when Data and Code partitions are updated for both non-prod and prod environments and synchronize your release plans with other teams who have deliverables to support your release. This process is dynamic and relies on a deep understanding of release cycles and contact with decision makers for prioritizing your dependent items in their backlogs.

While it sounds basic, you need to know what your enterprise looks like. Every server, every network connection, cloud configurations and applicable APIs. Additionally you should know your licenses, expirations and related information. These will help you determine dependencies for changes and new additions to the enterprise. Be sure to use a tool that doesn't create "shelf babies". Ideally you want dynamic tools that are easily updatable. If the tools can monitor your network, even better. But this is usually a dramatic uptick in price for most organizations.

Begin by thoroughly mapping out all the systems, applications, and processes that are impacted by the change. Identify both upstream and downstream dependencies to understand how different components rely on each other. Ensure this isn’t only an IT exercise, review the change with the business to ensure they’re supporting the initiative.

Agreed, categorizing dependencies based on their criticality and impact will allow you to allocate resources where they deliver the most value. Focus on resolving high-priority dependencies first to minimize disruption and ensure essential functions are not compromised during the change.

Establish clear lines of communication with all stakeholders, including IT teams, business units, and third-party vendors (often overlooked during internal initiatives). Collaborate to create a shared understanding of the change and its dependencies, to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding roles and responsibilities.

I think this article missed discussing testing. Prior to implementing the change, thoroughly test the proposed modifications while considering their impact on dependent systems. Conduct regression testing to ensure that existing functionalities are not adversely affected. Having business teams test known complex functions and fragile processes can limit surprises following implementation. Additionally, developing a contingency plan to address unforeseen issues or disruptions that may arise due to unanticipated dependencies is good practice. Ensure that the team is prepared to respond swiftly in the event of a dependency-related problem.

By diligently identifying, prioritizing, and addressing dependencies, and by fostering effective communication and collaboration, you can significantly improve the success and resilience of any operational change.