7 top tips for Preparing for Go-Live

The go-live date is the one eagerly anticipated date everyone in the project works hard towards. However, there are many go-live activities that need careful planning and preparation to ensure it is a success.

Following the numerous go-live days we have supported, we have gathered our 7 top tips for preparing for go-live.

1. Share supporting resources

• Ensure all project stakeholders have the resources to support go-live including any 3rd parties affected by the go-live date
• And get their time booked in and protected

2. Plan clear roles and responsibilities

• Have clear roles & responsibilities for your project team on the day of Go-Live
• And make sure these are published so everyone affected by the go-live knows who’s doing what

3. Agree communication channels

• Agree on suitable communications channels & frequencies to update each stakeholder group on the Go-Live day
• And allocate one person whose first priority is to respond to inbound communications.

4. Complete checklist

• Ensure you have completed a pre go-live checklist of all key actions which is signed off before the go-live is committed to
• And equally, draw up a clear post go-live checklist for the Project team to sign off as agreement that the go-live is secure and robust

5. Agree amendments

• Agree with the technology partners a timeline for any post go-live amendments to be completed from the testing phase
• And ensure everyone is clear on whether this is within the agreed budget or go-live or additional to it

6. Plan final meeting and agree backup plans

• Schedule in a final no/go meeting on the day of Go-Live with everyone present and an agreed set of decision criteria to assess
• And make sure you have backup plans to allow for every scenario from approving go-live to executing a rollback, with interim options for extending the go-live period, again based on clear milestones and criteria

7. Agree post go-live support

• Agree on a period of intense post go-live support with all technology partners 
• And make sure all system users are expecting a period of disruption while the system beds in

For guidance on delivering successful projects, choosing the right technology partner, or embarking on a digital transformation programme contact us to find out how we can help you.