By: Eric Kimberling
As the CEO of Third Stage Consulting, I've guided clients through the crucial phase of digital transformation: the go-live stage. This period, while filled with excitement, is often laden with challenges that can make or break the success of the implementation.
"Go-live" is a term commonly used in the context of information technology, particularly during the implementation of new software systems, digital transformations, or large-scale IT projects. It refers to the moment when a system or solution becomes officially operational and available for its intended users or business operations. Here's a breakdown of what go-live typically involves:
Go-live is more than just a technical milestone; it's a significant business event that marks the changeover from old to new systems, involving both technological and human elements. Its success is not just in the technical deployment but also in how well users adapt to and utilize the new system in achieving business goals.
In my experience, over half of the organizations encounter significant operational disruptions during go-live. These aren't just minor hiccups; we're discussing major issues like failing to ship products or run payroll. The objective here isn't to eliminate these challenges entirely but to understand and effectively manage them.
One of the main reasons for operational disruption is inadequate training. It's not uncommon to see employees struggling with new systems because they weren't trained adequately or because they find the real-time environment more challenging than anticipated. I recommend a comprehensive, iterative training approach to combat this, ensuring employees are fully comfortable with new processes and systems.
Data migration and management are pivotal yet challenging aspects of go-live. I always advise starting data cleanup and migration processes early and ensuring testing involves real data and volumes. Equally important is establishing strong data governance to maintain data integrity post-implementation.
A frequent issue during go-live is users being locked out of parts of the system they need due to improperly set up security profiles. This can be avoided by thoroughly testing and vetting security profiles before going live.
Although not as common as other challenges, issues with the technology itself can arise. It’s essential to be prepared for potential modifications post-go-live. This includes being ready to adjust the system to ensure optimal performance in a real-life environment.
An essential part of preparing for go-live is conducting go/no-go assessments. These are crucial for understanding the readiness and risks associated with the go-live. I strongly believe in the importance of having an independent third-party advisor for an objective assessment, which should evaluate technical readiness and operational and training readiness.
From my professional journey and experiences with numerous clients, it's clear that being realistically prepared for the go-live phase is crucial. While it's a time of great anticipation, recognizing and preparing for the potential challenges is key. Ultimately, the goal is to navigate this critical phase with a well-planned strategy, focusing on comprehensive training, effective data management, meticulous security configuration, and thorough readiness assessments to ensure a successful digital transformation journey.
If you have any questions or want to have an informal discussion about what to expect during go-live, please feel free to reach out to me directly at Eric.Kimberling@ThirdStage-Consulting.com. I also highly recommend downloading our 2024 Digital Enterprise Operations Report and following our weekly podcasts or YouTube channel for more on the holistic approach to business technology.
