The Way To Effective IT Change Management

The software change management process is essential for every IT company. For progressive IT companies, software helps to automate a wide selection of business procedures. Any change that is made to the software is going to bring changes in the entire business process. For example, the manner in which an insurance company provides quotes for life insurance policies is efficiently encoded in the quote engine. Any involuntary changes to this quote might result in an unplanned modification to the type of quotes that a life insurance agency provides. Therefore, it is crucial that software changes are carefully monitored.

Why Change Management is important?

Without a proper software change management process in place IT companies will lack an in-depth understanding of the way software operation of production can automate business processes. This comprises effective change management to the software in production, development and any other alterations that are associated with artifacts such as requirement managements, test cases and so on.

Most decision makers and business entrepreneurs when interviewed have put emphasis on the benefits of software change management. The modern day business scenario has made entrepreneurs and business houses believe that they require this process for fulfilling increased demands from clients and end users.

Software needs can be predicted across the application life cycle. Hence, any unidentified alteration can make the application releases witness hassles and unfavorable circumstances. To be able to manage these situations efficiently, eminent service providers specializing in agile methodology have come up with innovative change management solutions that assists in managing and tracking changes appropriately.

Furthermore, the changes are also managed through a reactive impact analysis across the software development life cycle. Effective automated change management programs can be implemented for bringing down the scopes of risk consequences. The modern day change management solutions have been set up in a way that caters to the present day needs and are user friendly. Simultaneously, it acts as a repository for application life cycle modifications and efficiently links the same type of change items to change packages, results in a two-way requirements traceability matrix and functions in a process driven manner.

In this ever changing aggressive market scenario, with mergers and acquisitions increased proximity to customer via Web 2.0 technologies and social computing creates a great pressure for IT to provide software change management effectively and quickly.

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Software Development Life cycle Solutions Collaborating Teams

Business enterprises in their attempt to stand fast in the face of aggressive competition make use of technology and its innovations. As customers also become aware of new technological development, there arises a demand for various applications.  Since businesses are customer centric, the changing demands from the customers paves way for enterprises also  looking forward to further  development of new software applications. However, since every software has a lifecycle to cover, it is not possible to fast pace the development process. Hence to meet the ever changing demands of the customers, enterprises also look towards outsourcing of the software’s from the experts.

Software development life cycle depicts the various stages and logical steps involved in creating, altering or customizing the set of programs so as to meet the requirements of the organization. By integrating people, process and technology   it helps to reduce complexities and enhance the productivity levels in the organization. The complexities involved in the software development process starts from the initiation phase to analysis, design, implementation, maintenance and disposal. Leading service providers and IT giants have worked out SDLC solutions that will provide a structured process for all phases of software development. Such attempts will ensure that the organizations strategic goals met.

Irrespective of the development process following a traditional or waterfall or agile methodology, the software development lifecycle solutions that provide a flexible workflow and configurable applications can be customized for every organization. The lifecycle process of the application with various developmental phases includes tools for the same. Thus the SDLC has tools that are needed for activities such as requirements management, test management, risk management and management of the IT project as a whole. However, the configuration management and build management functions of the application lifecycle management are carried out with the help of third party tools integrated through the service integration bus adaptors.

However, SDLC being a web based solution, information exchange and team collaborations are through the web and corporate networks. The requirements management tool that can be optimized for each project takes data with the help of the requirements traceability matrix and multiple input capturing methods. Further, this provides enterprises a global platform for tracing implementations, administrative and configuration process irrespective of the location.

In today's global environment with development teams spread across geographical boundaries and offshore locations, such software development lifecycle  solutions from leading service providers  ensures delivery of high quality software. The proven framework with uniform methods, designs and operations results in  better team collaborations, effective planning and control with increased productivity.

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Increasing Productivity with The Right ALM Solution

There is a major change in the software design, development and delivery, primarily due to the focus on business agility. Putting together a consistent ecosystem while managing larger diversity in teams, many organizations are trying to balance various competing requirements like delivering projects on schedule while standardizing processes. With the implementation of agile methodology, there is a drop in the total cost of ownership in addition to a boost in the quality with a reduction in time to market.

 

Allowing the teams in the organization to share the best practices for development and deployment, the adopting Application Lifecycle Management solutions also help increase productivity. Sound ALM solutions  permit developers to concentrate on business requirements and maintain unfailing quality, and makes certain that the needs and the expectations created for all end-users are successfully met. Even as ALM reorganizes development, It brings about tremendous pace to the whole process, while also decreasing the time taken to develop the software and bring it to market. It also gets the most out of your investment in labor and technology as it ensures that each step in the development process and is accomplished as efficiently as possible.

 

The most important benefit of an ALM solution is coordinating the people, processes, information, and tools involved in a project to deliver innovation to your stakeholders. It brings about better team collaboration and communication. With a shared, single, web-based, and global collaborative platform, errors can be prevented as distributed teams work with the same specifications.  Anyone with the appropriate permission can make changes with    automatic notifications sent out to other team members. It also helps manage regulatory compliance automatically with complete backwards and forwards traceability.

 

By adopting a suitable integrated Application Lifecycle Management solution, an organization can experience a considerable increase in savings in a project cost. It has been estimated that a six month advantage in a product release can result in an eighteen month advantage in revenue generation. An efficient ALM solution must allow integrations with third party tools used on premise by the users.  

 

Invest in a solution that provides the business benefits of the cloud such as elasticity, quick time to value and subscription-based licensing. The Software as a Service SaaS  model, with its flexibility and built-in scalability, will be able to tackle any challenges that may arise in software development. Eliminate the need for complex and costly tool integrations with a  cost-effective, flexible and user-friendly ALM  integration.

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Agile Methodology – Best in a Distributed Development Environment

To cut down the possibility of a project failure, software development teams continually look for ways to enhance both the process and technology of software development. Most software systems aren’t simple to just have a complete development that can be drafted from beginning to end, and this is why many are shifting towards agile methodologies. To ensure smooth operations and efficient performances, enterprises need agility to be capable of addressing the risks and concerns effectively. Having the ability to respond efficiently to the eve revolving requirements, the agile methodology provides immense benefits to the enterprise.

 Agile methodologies help manage application development distributed among various teams in a quick and efficient manner. There are a number of conventional project teams that run into trouble when they define all of the requirements up front. And among the different phases of software development life cycle, it is the requirement management phase that demands greater collaboration due to the involvement of many distributed stakeholders in creating, reviewing and approving requirements. Adopting the right agile solution transports various helpful ideas and strategies to software development life cycle.

 An agile solution can be used to implement various tools necessary in a distributed development scenario. The main benefit of today's Agile development methodologies such as Scrum or XP is the promise of delivering working software in a shorter period of time and the value derived from having the flexibility to adjust which features need to be implemented for the next iteration or release.

 Look for a good agile solution that provides the essential techniques for managing tools. An efficient agile solution must offer best change management solutions that can allow users and project members to enter various Backlogs as Issues, defects, change and enhancement requests. Ensure that the agile solution that you choose allows for routing of these items through suitable workflows based on the backlog types. It must also support planning for best traceability view by which users can get a comprehensive visibility to all the artifacts that are linked to one another which eventually would facilitate in either tracing forward or backward starting from any particular artifact.

 As agile methodologies promote a project management process that encourage stakeholder involvement, feedback, objective metrics and effective controls, it is important to invest in a solution that ensures that enable product owners to align a product to real user needs and adapt the development process.

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Importance Of Release Management Process In Software Projects

IT Release management plays a very crucial role in every software assignment/ project as it is concerned with the delivery of a high quality product to the end users and IT organizations. Release management is also a significant part of quality management as it is concerned with the provision of high-quality software to the users. Free and open source software is known by its highly iterative development model in which the new development releases are generally made accessible very frequently. Owing to its frequency of the development process in certain projects, there are certain issues with consistent releases for the end users.

Researches have indicated that in general the term “release management” have been used to refer to three separate kinds of releases. These kinds differ in nature with regards to the audience they reach and cater to and the initiatives needed to offer the release. The three kinds are as follows: 

• Development releases are aimed at developers who are interested in working on the projects or a set of experienced users who require innovative technology 
• Most user releases are based on a stabilized development tree. These releases offer relevant new functionalities and features along with bug fixes to the end users and are mostly well experimented 
• There are minor releases as updates for present user releases, for instance addressing security concerns or critical IT defects 

In an IT enterprise with multiple software and hardware assets, the changes take place in the release of improved and enhanced versions of software and hardware. Today leading solution providers specializing in Agile methodology have introduced advanced release management process solutions keeping in mind the following objectives: 

• Planning hardware and software implementation
• Designing and deploying processes for installation and distribution of changes in the IT systems
• Security of production platforms from any kind of disruption
• Allowing the holding of the requirement management tool and test management tool concerns together in respect to each release
• Establishing a publish quality release note to highlight all the new improvements, such as requirements, issues and bug fixes

Advanced release management processes help to supervise testing, development, implementation and assistance of software releases. The process also puts together detailed technical know-how of the software development life cycle and the IT infrastructure library deployment initiatives with conventional project management.

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Traceability matrix

Track Organizational Needs with Requirement Traceability Matrix

The business world today is dependent on the information technology to meet the ever changing demands of the techno savvy customer and to withstand the competitive environment. Enterprises look forward to upgrading of infrastructure along with development of various software applications.  However, the applications thus developed goes through various phases and includes analysis of requirements, specification, design, coding & testing, integration and deployment.

Each phase  in a software development life cycle has its own importance with requirement analysis being a critical factor to the success of a software project . Since requirements form the basis of software development process, during the stage of requirement gathering and analysis, the software development team works together with the stakeholders to understand the various need levels. However, the complexity of the requirements along the various stages in the lifecycle of the software project makes it a difficult situation. Requirement traceability matrix helps the development teams out of such difficult situation.

Requirements traceability is the ability to trace and describe the life of a requirement, in both a forward and backward direction through its development and specification, to its actual deployment. A traceability matrix is then created by associating the requirements with the work products that satisfy them. It maps relationship between any two base lined documents such as user requirements and test cases and is represented in the form of a table with identifier for each of the items and documents. Higher the value of relationship total, the more complex is the relationships and needs to be simplified. Further, various test management tools are also used to conduct tests on the products and the requirements on which based.

Requirements traceability matrixcan be achieved either by Cross referencing, creation of specialized templates and integration of documents or by restructuring to track requirements changes. The matrix thus gives a complete visual representation of the entity items that are linked to one another by means of the relationships. Requirements traceability matrix which is developed at the beginning of a software project incorporates the project's scope, requirements, and deliverable.

Being a bidirectional, the requirement traceability matrixtracks both forward and backward requirement. Forward tracking helps locate the output of the deliverable while the backward tracking courses the business requirement for any product features.  Analysis of requirements traceability is an important part of the software development lifecycleprocess. The analysis ensures that all the requirements have been considered during the development of each phase of the project, with no loopholes due to missed requirements. The activity also ensures that all of the requirements are in accordance with each other and support the goals and objectives of the enterprises.

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Importance of Subversion Integration

SVN integration also known as sub-version integration helps you to perform troubleshooting, performance tuning, quick fixes and prototyping without any external devices. Simultaneously, it also helps to maintain the source code control. In a project that is driven by a single developer or in small, agile teams where an entire project set up is too expensive or possible, but there is a need to maintain the code changes under version control, there subversion integration tools offers easier options to source the code control utilizing external devices and intermediate, working copy that are manually managed in the file system.

Key Benefits of Subversion Integration

The main advantages of subversion integration are as follows:

* Enables in tracking code units with respect to other artifacts such as Defects and Change Requests

* Helps to avail certain versions or the upgraded versions of code units from other devices

* Results in cross-tool visibility, traceability and process automation

Multiple Uses of SVN Integration

Today leading service providers in Application Lifecycle Management tools have come up with SVN integration tools that help a developer to check out existing content application from SVN into content in his personal development repository. The developer can also carry out basic development agendas and then assess the changes locally. Furthermore, the developer checks the altered content back to the SVN repository.

The focus on easier usage has led to selected design decisions that are essential to have a clear understanding prior to using SVN integration:

The single/local user content repository

The integration has been clearly designed to function with a local content repository that in turn is used by a single developer. Various users that connect to the same content repository instance and are using the SVN integration on that very content is not assisted.

Inherent SVN operations

Selected SVN operations are conducted implicitly, for instance the nodes that are added to the content tree under a source control is added automatically as well as committed to SVN when checking in.

The SVN status on nodes

The SVN integration is dependent on “many-to-one” mapping between node. This in-between representation, is further dependent on the files and folders and are then synchronized on a one-to-one basis using Subversion. The SVN status is also displayed for individual repository nodes, and are mapped from "real" SVN status for instance the content.xml that represents many potential nodes.

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Application Lifecycle

Importance of Subversion Integration

SVN integration also known as sub-version integration helps you to perform troubleshooting, performance tuning, quick fixes and prototyping without any external devices. Simultaneously, it also helps to maintain the source code control. In a project that is driven by a single developer or in small, agile teams where an entire project set up is too expensive or possible, but there is a need to maintain the code changes under version control, there subversion integration tools offers easier options to source the code control utilizing external devices and intermediate, working copy that are manually managed in the file system.

Key Benefits of Subversion Integration

The main advantages of subversion integration are as follows:

* Enables in tracking code units with respect to other artifacts such as Defects and Change Requests

* Helps to avail certain versions or the upgraded versions of code units from other devices

* Results in cross-tool visibility, traceability and process automation

Multiple Uses of SVN Integration

Today leading service providers in Application Lifecycle Management tools have come up with SVN integration tools that help a developer to check out existing content application from SVN into content in his personal development repository. The developer can also carry out basic development agendas and then assess the changes locally. Furthermore, the developer checks the altered content back to the SVN repository.

The focus on easier usage has led to selected design decisions that are essential to have a clear understanding prior to using SVN integration:

The single/local user content repository

The integration has been clearly designed to function with a local content repository that in turn is used by a single developer. Various users that connect to the same content repository instance and are using the SVN integration on that very content is not assisted.

Inherent SVN operations

Selected SVN operations are conducted implicitly, for instance the nodes that are added to the content tree under a source control is added automatically as well as committed to SVN when checking in.

The SVN status on nodes

The SVN integration is dependent on “many-to-one” mapping between node. This in-between representation, is further dependent on the files and folders and are then synchronized on a one-to-one basis using Subversion. The SVN status is also displayed for individual repository nodes, and are mapped from "real" SVN status for instance the content.xml that represents many potential nodes.

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Help Desk Solution

Why Do You Need A Software Change Management Program?

Software change manage is a crucial process for IT organizations. For the forward thinking IT organizations, software automates a huge range of business processes. Alterations made to software are actually the changes that are made to the overall business processes. For instance, the way an insurance agency offers quotes for life insurance schemes in encoded in its quote engine. Involuntary alterations to this quote can often lead to an inadvertent alteration to the kinds of quotes that the life insurance agency offers. Hence, software changes need careful monitoring akin to the business intelligence procedures, as the two are interlinked.

Without a systematic software change management in place, IT organizations would lack a complete understanding of how the software operation in production can automate their business procedures. This involves efficient management of changes to software in production, development and any changes that are linked with artifacts like models, test cases and requirements management.

Business Requirements For Efficient Software Change Management

Many business entrepreneurs and decision makers when surveyed believe in the advantages of software change management. The present day business scenario has made business houses and enterprises believe that need to depend on this process in order to cater to the increasing demands of the clients and end users.

Even if technology is static, IT enterprises would be changing rapidly as the business world they need to align with is very dynamic. Furthermore, with the total pace of business gaining momentum, the demand for IT too also has gone up for internal operations. Ever changing competitive landscapes, acquisitions and mergers, maximized proximity to consumer through the Web 2.0 technologies and social computing all generates a pressure for IT to offer software changes quickly and efficiently.

Furthermore software requirements are predictable all through the application lifecycle. Therefore, any unaddressed and unidentified change makes the application releases encounter hassles and sometimes they face unfavourable consequences. In order to manage these changes efficiently, leading companies specializing in application lifecycle management have introduced efficient change management solutions that help to manage and track changes proactively. The changes are also monitored with a reactive impact analyses all through the software lifecycle.

Efficient automated change management programs can be executed for minimizing the chances of risk consequences. The new age change management solutions have been designed keeping the present day requirements and are user friendly, acts as a single repository for application lifecycle changes, successfully links same kind of change items to change packages, ensures a two-way requirements traceability matrix and operates in a process driven methodology.

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Agile methodology

ALM 

Benefits Of Software Development Life Cycle - SDLC Solutions

Today most companies have witnessed and realized the productive benefits of outsourcing. As a result of which more and more organizations are opting in for outsourcing concerning software development projects to key offshore locations. However, it is crucial to have a complete idea about the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is an essential task. This is important not only for every software development solution provider but also for the end users and clients to keep a tab on the progress of the project all through the software development process.

Software development is a complicated procedure that requires a great deal of planning, execution and testing. It is not possible to develop software will complete functionality until and unless all the tests, reviews and quality analysis procedures are done. Therefore organizations needs to keep a check on the SDLC while they are experiencing software development outsourcing.

Furthermore every software development solution provider needs to put special focus on SDLC in order to generate better and efficient functional and critical mission software that helps businesses in the long run. The software development life cycle (SDLC) can be defined as a pre-set framework that is utilized by every software development organizations in order to set up effective information systems and software.

Today leading solution providers dealing in application lifecycle management, have come up with advanced  SDLC solutions including the following components:

* Requirements Management Tools

* Test Management

* Issue Management

* Risk Management

* Release Management

* Document Management

* IT Project Management

This apart, few other SDLC features such as Configuration and Build Management can be attained by incorporating the third party tools utilizing simple two-way directional data transfer adapters that are established for integration environments. SDLC solutions also provides a standardized and organized process for every stage in the software development. This helps in catering to all types of functional requirements and strategic objectives.

Apart from the huge global MNC’s are the large scale companies, today SDLC process is also used by the SME’s as well. This is because in today’s competitive market, everyone is striving to gather innovative software solutions and other mobile applications to facilitate their business operations. Hence, it is essential that the SME’s too understand the significance of the sdlc process and the ways in which they can add value to their organization.

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