Day: May 19, 2009

Education

Project “Phasing In”

Dave

[Abstract]
The purpose of this document is to explain the term “phase in” and how it relates to phasing in a server cluster. Also included within this document is an explanation of what type of risk analysis needs to be conducted in order to phase in the cluster. This document is intended for anybody looking to gain a basic understanding or knowledge of risk analysis and how to merge a new system with an existing system and how it impacts operations.

[Content]
In order for Kucera Clothiers to integrate a server cluster into their organization, it should be a goal to decide how to integrate the new system with any current systems while minimizing any interruptions of operations. It is important for Kucera to “phase in” the new system by using a three-step plan in order to reduce any interference with company operations (Microsoft, 2008). Trying to incorporate an entire system all at one time without impacting operations can be rather cumbersome, therefore it is recommended to phase in the system in a few different steps. The initial step of the phase in plan is to physically install all of the hardware and test it to ensure everything is functioning correctly. The second step of the phase in plan is to migrate network services, one by one, onto the server cluster and test each service to ensure it is functioning correctly. The final step of the phase in plan is to migrate user data in small groups until all users have been migrated to the new system and then test to ensure there is no data lost and everything is functioning correctly. Once the new system has been completely phased in Kucera Clothiers can power down and reallocate the legacy system as necessary.

Prior to phasing in any new system into current operations it is important for Kucera Clothiers to conduct a risk analysis to determine how operations can be affected in the event something does not go as planned. When conducting a risk analysis, it is important to identify what types of risks are involved whether the risk is a human risk, operational risk, procedural risk, technical risk, natural risk, or even a political risk (Mind Tools Ltd, 2009). The risk analysis should determine how the phase in plan has the largest impact on the organization and then try to manage that risk. Due to network services affecting the majority of users at one time, it is recommended to migrate the network services one at a time in order to minimize the potential for an issue to affect the vast majority of users. Also, because network services affect the vast majority of users within the organization it is recommended to migrate the services, either during non-business hours or during hours of minimal network traffic. Once the risk analysis has been conducted and a plan has been devised in order to deal with the majority of users, then the risk analysis can be conducted in order to devise a plan how to migrate uses with minimal impact. Due to Kucera being a global company, it is recommended to migrate user data during non-business hours starting with users in the Greenwich Median Time (GMT) zone and progressing through the rest of the time zones moving groups of users and then testing the migration of user data prior to the start of the business day for those users.

In conclusion, Kucera Clothiers can minimize operational impact by first conducting a risk analysis in order to identify how the organization can be impacted and devising a plan to minimize that risk. Kucera can also “phase in” the server cluster into their organization by using a three-step plan. Step one ensures the hardware is installed, configured, and tested. Step two involves migrating network services from the old system to the server cluster and testing it. Step three involves migrating user data in increments of users during non-business hours and testing to ensure no data has been lost. By conducting a risk analysis and using a phase in plan, Kucera Clothiers can successfully implement the use of a network server cluster to support their IT goals.

References
1. (2008, November). Configuring Integration Services in a Clustered Environment. Retrieved May 17, 2009, from Configuring Integration Services in a Clustered Environment Web site: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345193(SQL.90).aspx

2. (2009). Risk Analysis & Risk Management. Retrieved May 17, 2009, from Project Risk Analysis Techniques – Risk Management from Mind Tools Web site: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_07.htm

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Education

Problems a Business Can Incur

Dave

[Abstract]
The purpose of this document is to describe what types of problems are most likely to be incurred while implementing a technology into an organization, such as the collaboration system into the organization for Kucera Clothiers scenario. Also included within this document are recommendations for how the problems can be resolved. This document is intended for anybody looking to gain a basic understanding or knowledge of managing challenges within an organization and providing solutions for problems.

[Content]
Kucera Clothiers is implementing a collaboration system into their organization in order to improve communications, increase efficiency, and to improve customer relations, however they will most likely incur problems throughout the implementation of the new system. When managing people, products, or even projects there is a great probability that problems will occur and in order to effectively manage it is important to address any issues and press forward with the objective at hand. Some of the issues that can arise can come from people such as personality differences, power struggles, training issues, or even the lack of manpower. Other issues that can arise from a global company like Kucera Cothiers are religious, cultural, time related, and even legal issues. It is important for Kucera Clothiers to address any issues that may arise quickly and then refocus on the collaboration system project.

To better understand how Kucera Cothiers can deal with different issues it is important to look at the different issues that could arise and then consider possible solutions. Since Kucera Clothiers has chosen to implement a new collaboration system one of the possible issues that could arise from this system is training for all employees from around the world. In order to Kucera corporate headquarters to ensure all of its employees have been trained and understand how to use the system, it would cost too much in time and money to send all employees to training or seminars that may be generic or not specific to the company’s mission or goals anyway. One possible solution is to provide a web-based training either by using websites, downloadable videos, or even through the use of the collaboration system. This solution would be cost effective and most efficient for training all 100,000 employees from around the world (Frenzel, Frenzel, 2004 P.338). Another issue that could arise from the centralized location of the collaboration system is that different regions around the world may want to manage their own data. Kucera corporate headquarters identifying specific responsibilities in organizational policies can easily resolve this issue. An example of a legal issue that could arise could be that an employee is gathering company data and selling it to competitors because the employee thinks that they are in a foreign land that the United States laws do not apply to them. This issue may need to be prevented, but also addressed on a couple different levels. The first would be that the corporate headquarters, where the collaboration system is location, should be tracking all employees to ensure they are following corporate policies and then for employees, like this one, should be held accountable by being terminated or prosecuted according to corporate policies (Frenzel, Frenzel, 2004 P.341). A management issue that could arise could be that the project is falling behind and not being implemented as planned, which leads to delays, loss of revenue, and loss of customer satisfaction. In order to resolve an issue like this, the manager of the project may have to reconsider the milestones that have been previously identified, talk with the technicians to identify issues that are causing the delays, conduct a meeting with the installation team to get everybody organized and refocused, and potentially set more realistic milestones based upon the issues that have been identified.

In conclusion, there are numerous possible issues that could arise for Kucera Clothiers, while they are implementing the collaboration system, however by addressing the issues swiftly and concisely allows for Kucera to maintain focus on the task at hand so that it can be completed in a timely manner. When addressing any of the issue that arise, it is important to ensure that the issues to not build up and lead to larger issues which in turn can lead to the loss of time, resources, and revenue. It is important that all issues are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and given an equal amount of consideration in order to ensure the issue is resolved quickly and fairly. Dealing with issues quick and concise ensures that they are resolved at the lowest possible level of the organization and that control over the issues is maintained at all times.

References
Frenzel, Frenzel, Carroll W., John C. (2004). Management of Information Technology Fourth Edition. Boston, Massachusetts: Thomas Learning Inc..

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