include within future releases. Training and Operational Readiness. The IIC must prepare the business community for the new operational support infrastructure. This involves, at a minimum, end-user training in the new processes, procedures and applications. It can also include major tasks such as realigning the organization, or initiatives such as hands-on pilot trials for end-users prior to rollout. Obtaining buy-in from the users, i.e. convincing them to accept the new systems and processes, is critical to the overall success of the OSS program. An operational readiness checklist can help to ensure that the operation is ready for the migration. Production Readiness. The IIC's IT support organizations must prepare for the new OSS infrastructure rollout. This includes preparing the production environment and transferring knowledge from the development teams to the operations and maintenance staff. Setting up a regression testing platform is also encouraged, particularly one that includes reusable scripts and automated test procedures. Naturally, the maintenance and help desk functions must be staffed, organized and trained. 1.1 Migration Phases The actual migration to production process itself is generally divided into three phases. Keep in mind that these phases are not always cut-and- dried. It is critical to plan and stick to a phasing schedule, but many of the activities involved in that plan will not necessarily occur in a linear fashion. Simultaneous, coordinated efforts are necessary, especially when the IIC is committed to a "go to market" deadline. The Ultimate Guide to Building and Delivering OSS/BSS 1.1.1 Phase 1 - Migration Planning & Data Analysis Phase 1 is typically done in parallel with the final development stage and UAT. Activities involved in phase one include: - Identifying key data components - Data cleansing and mapping - Identifying conversion metrics and critical success factors - Developing a conversion business process - Developing a conversion plan and recommended approach - Prototyping