This article provides an overview and summary of the COBIT 5 process Manage Change Acceptance and Transitioning, which is part of the Management – build (Build, Acquire, Implement) domain.

The purpose of this COBIT 5 process is to formally accept and operationalise new solutions, including implementation planning, system and data conversion, testing, communication, release management, early life support, and post-implementation reviews.

The following sub-governance processes are further supported by a list of control activities:

  1. Establish an implementation plan. The implementation plan should cover all aspects of the system rollout life cycle.
  2. Plan organisation process, system and data conversion. Prepare for organisation process, IT service data and infrastructure migration as part of the development methods.
  3. Plan acceptance tests. Establish a test plan based on establish standards that define roles, responsibilities, and entry and exit criteria.
  4. Establish a test environment. Provide a secure test environment representative of the planned organisation process and IT operations production environment.
  5. Perform acceptance tests. Test changes independently in accordance with the defined test plan.
  6. Promote to production and manage releases. Promote the accepted solution to the organisation and operations once all approvals are ascertained.
  7. Provide early production support. Provide early life support to the users and IT operations to ensure smooth transition.
  8. Perform a post-implementation review. Carry out a post-implementation review to confirm results and identify lessons learned and improvements.

For more information please contact Morland-Austin at info@morland-austin.com.