The project I am currently working on will require among many other things, the assimilation of a variety of source systems into a single system. Many of the systems that are scheduled for conversion are owned by our organization. Some others are owned by a "third party." How to address each of them will vary. The next few paragraphs try to relate some of those thoughts. Perhaps you might find some merit in that or chip in you own?
Friendly Conversion:
These kinds are the ones where you find a culture that is eager to embrace the change. You are in the best position if that is the attitude of any/all IT team members involved in the conversion and the business users who will be using the new system. The battle for winning the hearts and minds of the users and the IT group that will help you and your team is already done. I believe that is the hardest part of a system-to-system conversion effort. Everything else is just pesky detail work. Now, please, be careful as you navigate through this environment. The last thing you want to do is to ruin that Utopia state.
Hostile Conversion:
This is the one situation that you will find when both the user area and the IT group that owns the maintenance of the Source System are not willing to give that up. I mean "who are you to come in here and tell me how to run my shop (my department, my
Friendly-Hostile Conversion:
This is to catch those cases (arguably the majority) where you find a combination of the previous 2 scenarios I mentioned. You will find yourself most of the time.
In the upcoming posts I'll dissect these in more detail and share some personal anecdotes. I'd love to hear about your own if you care (or dare) to share.
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