Unit 4: System implementation
System Analysis & Design notes · PTU syllabus (BSIT403/BSBC301)
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Unit summary
Implementation puts the new system into use, and maintenance keeps it useful. This unit covers the system implementation process, implementation methods, system maintenance and post-implementation maintenance.
After this unit you can
- Explain the implementation process
- Compare conversion methods
- Explain the types of maintenance
- Conduct a post-implementation review
PTU syllabus topics
- System implementation process
- implementation methods
- system maintenance
- post-implementation maintenance
Direct cutover
Old system off, new system on
High risk, low cost
Parallel running
Both systems run together for a time
Low risk, high cost
Pilot
New system in one unit first
Moderate
Phased
Introduced module by module
Moderate, slower
Topic 1
System implementation process
- 1
Planning
Schedule, resources, responsibilities
- 2
Site preparation
Hardware, network, furniture, power backup
- 3
Installation
Software, database setup and configuration
- 4
Data conversion
Clean and migrate old records into the new system
- 5
User training
Operators, managers and end users
- 6
Conversion
Switch from the old to the new system
- 7
Post-implementation review
Evaluate results
- Training methods: classroom sessions, hands-on workshops, user manuals, video tutorials, help desks, train-the-trainer.
Topic 2
Implementation (conversion) methods
Direct (plunge)
Old system stopped, new one starts on a fixed day
Highest risk; lowest cost
Parallel
Old and new run together until the new one is trusted
Lowest risk; highest cost and workload
Pilot
New system used in one department or branch first
Moderate risk; lessons learnt before full rollout
Phased (staged)
Modules introduced one at a time
Moderate risk; takes longer
Example
A university runs the new examination system in parallel with the old one for one semester, comparing results before switching off the old system.
Topic 3
System maintenance
- Maintenance is all work done after delivery to keep the system running and useful; it often consumes the largest share of total life-cycle cost.
Corrective
Fixing errors found after release
Adaptive
Changing for a new environment — new tax rules, OS or browser
Perfective
Adding features or improving performance on user request
Preventive
Restructuring and documenting to avoid future problems
- Maintenance process: change request → impact analysis → approval → change → testing (regression) → release and documentation update.
Topic 4
Post-implementation maintenance and review
- Post-implementation review (PIR): after the system has run for some time, compare actual results with objectives.
- Objectives met?
- Benefits realised against the plan
- Costs
- Actual vs budgeted
- User satisfaction
- Surveys and interviews
- Performance
- Response time, accuracy, uptime
- Problems
- Errors and change requests
- Lessons learnt
- For future projects
- Ongoing support: help desk, bug fixing, backups, security patches, performance tuning, periodic audits.
Key terms
- Implementation
- Putting a new system into operation
- Parallel conversion
- Running old and new systems together
- Pilot conversion
- Introducing the system at one site first
- Adaptive maintenance
- Modifying a system for a changed environment
- Post-implementation review
- Evaluation of a system after it goes live
Quick revision
- Implementation steps: plan, site, install, convert data, train, switch, review.
- Direct, parallel, pilot, phased conversion.
- Corrective, adaptive, perfective, preventive maintenance.
- Maintenance process and costs.
- PIR checks and ongoing support.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.What is data conversion?
- Q2.Which conversion method is the safest?
- Q3.Distinguish pilot and phased conversion.
- Q4.Give an example of adaptive maintenance.
- Q5.What is perfective maintenance?
- Q6.What is a post-implementation review?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain the system implementation process.
- Q2.Compare the methods of system conversion.
- Q3.Explain the types of system maintenance.
- Q4.Explain post-implementation review and maintenance.
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