Answer to Question #203672 in Management for Getasew

Question

After a new business information system is developed, there are different conversion strategies that an Information System analyst team follows to switch from old system to the newly developed system. Discuss these conversion strategies briefly and suggest one which you think most risky in terms of information loss (assuming other things constant)

Answer 1

Conversion can be defined as that process of changing systems in an organization from an old one to a new. The process is normally done in strategies and four strategies can be used;-

Parallel Strategy  

In this strategy both the system that is being faced out or the old system together with the replacement system or the new system are run together until all the concerned parties in the organization are assured that the new system is functioning correctly. This is the most convenient and safest strategy for launching a new system due to the fact that should the new system fail, the old system will be used as backup. However, the main disadvantage is that it doubles the work load for the staff as the input will have to be done twice both in the old system as well as in the new system (Makdisie et al, 2018) .

Direct Cutover

In this strategy the old system is replaced entirely by the new system on a specified date. This is the most risky strategy in that there is no other system to lean in case of errors and disruptions occurred or serious problems were discovered in the new system.

Pilot Program

In this strategy the organization only launches the new system to a limited area in the organization. This limited area of an organization can include a department or an operating unit. Once the system is fully functioning in the designated area to the satisfaction of all the parties involved, the new system can be introduced to the rest of the organization in stages or simultaneously.

 

Phased Approach

In this approach the new system is introduced in the organization in stages either by the functions of the organization or by the operating units.

Most Risky Strategy

The most risky strategy is the direct cut over as it does not have a proper backup to rely upon in case the new system does not work or in case very serious problems starts to emanate from the new system. Other costly vices will be disruptions, dislocations and the cost of rectifying corrections

Reference

Makdisie, C., Haidar, B. and Alhelou, H.H., 2018. An optimal photovoltaic conversion system for future smart grids. In Handbook of research on power and energy system optimization (pp. 601-657). I

GI Global.