How do you handle information system changes and updates in IT projects?

1 Assess the impact

Before you approve or implement any IS change or update, you need to assess its impact on the project and the stakeholders. You can use tools like impact analysis, change request forms, risk registers, and stakeholder analysis to evaluate the benefits, costs, risks, and dependencies of the proposed change or update. You also need to communicate the impact to the relevant stakeholders and get their feedback and approval.

2 Plan the change or update

Once you have assessed the impact and obtained the approval, you need to plan how to execute the change or update. You need to define the scope, objectives, deliverables, resources, timeline, and quality criteria of the change or update. You also need to identify the roles and responsibilities of the team members and the stakeholders involved in the change or update. You need to document the plan and share it with the team and the stakeholders.

5 Review the change or update

After you have deployed the change or update, you need to review its performance and outcomes. You need to use tools like metrics, reports, surveys, and feedback forms to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of the change or update. You also need to compare the actual results with the expected results and identify any gaps or deviations. You need to document the lessons learned and best practices from the change or update and share them with the team and the stakeholders.

6 Manage the change or update

Finally, you need to manage the change or update throughout the project lifecycle. You need to use tools like change logs, change control boards, change management plans, and change management systems to track, control, and communicate the change or update. You also need to update the project plan, the project scope, the project schedule, the project budget, and the project quality according to the change or update. You need to align the change or update with the project goals and objectives and ensure its sustainability and scalability.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?