Question 8: Changeover/conversion plans

Suppose you were working for the IT department of a large import/export firm. Four months ago, your department deployed a major new piece of accounting software for the agency - running it in parallel with the old system.

The two systems have been running in parallel for the entire time, and - as far as your department can tell - the new system has been working flawlessly since a few minor glitches were ironed out in the first month. However, the head of the accounting department is now insisting on running the two systems in parallel for an entire year, despite the costs and complications involved.

Discuss the problems involved with parallel deployment, and come up with a plan or testing strategy that might either convince the head of accounting that the new system really is reliable enough to complete the switch-over.