This is an individual assignment. Write a word-processed business-type report. The word count is a minimum of 1500 words to a maximum of 3000 words. Students should evaluate and discuss the information appropriately to ensure it is relevant and succinctly argued to achieve the limit.
According to TSO (2010), "Release and Deployment Management aims to plan, schedule and control the build, test and deployment of releases and to deliver new functionality required by the business whilst protecting the integrity of existing services."
It has been noted in the press recently that serious service outages have occurred in more than one U.K. Financial Institution causing concern for the managers and customers alike. Problems created due to the release of software components has been sited as a major contributing factor. This has the disadvantage of creating difficulties for the companies as it has culminated in a lack of confidence by the customers who, as a result, may take their custom elsewhere.
Whilst not able to discuss the specifics of these occurrences students should choose an appropriate real world company or an agreed case study that will enable them to discuss their application of Release and Deployment Management within a Service Transition culture. This may be a company they work for, a case study or other company that they are aware of and can research appropriate levels of information about.
Apply the knowledge gained about Release and Deployment within the context of creating a proactive service transition culture built on the management of release of IT systems and services. This should include an understanding of the broader context of Service Transition, Knowledge Management and Service Asset and Configuration Management to analyse the chosen organisation.
Describe how the organisation under investigation has or could implement the appropriate ITIL Service Transition Processes. This should ideally focus on the current Release and Deployment structures in place but especially in relation to the following:
· Describe how the organisation has implemented Service Transitions processes;
· Describe the current tools used in the organisation;
· How does it compare to an IT Service Management proposed structure?
· Identify areas that have not been implemented;
· Assess and evaluate the success of the implementation;
· Specify the advantages the organisation has/is likely to gain and any negative outcomes that have been brought about by the implementation;
· After the evaluation draw up conclusions and a set of recommendations for the organisation that would help them align themselves more successfully with IT Service Management practices.
If students do not have access to a real company/organisation they can use the Case Study provided taking on board the challenges identified in the scenario, especially as they relate to creating a proactive transition culture with respect to Release and Deployment. Specific tasks in this case are:
- Describe how the organisation could implement the processes and the likely outcome of such changes current structure. Describe commonly used software tools which could be available to facilitate the solution;
- How does the existing structure compare to an IT Service Management proposed structure?
- Identify areas for development including a timescale;
- Assess and evaluate the likely success of the implementation if an IT Service Management solution is implemented;
- Specify the advantages the organisation is likely to gain and any negative outcomes that could be brought about by the implementation;
- After the evaluation students should draw up conclusions and a set of recommendations for the organisation that would help them align themselves more successfully with IT Service Management practices.
- Apply the knowledge gained from the online topics, continuous assessment and student's own research to identify and area of Release and Deployment within a Service Transition culture that the organisation has implemented.
The report should include the following components to gain the maximum marks for the report structure.
Front page
Including: student name, course, tutor, date
Introduction
Definitions of key terms
Main report
Analyse knowledge management implementation
Conclusion
Summary and recommendations
Appendices
Bibliography and References
Around 10-15 referenced texts and appropriate sources