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.