The Systems Development Life Cycle: Implementation

Four types of conversion:

1. Parallel conversion: Both the old and new system are used, while the new system is being tested. When the new system is working, the organization stops using the old system.
2. Pilot conversion: A small group of people use the new system while the rest of the organization use the old system. When the new system is working, the entire organization switches over.
3. Phased conversion: Switching from the old system to the new system one component at a time.
4. Plunge conversion: Switching the entire organization from the old system to the new system at one time. The organization stops using the old system and starts using the new one.

One of the crucial steps in the implementation phase is converting from the old system to the new system. There are four types of conversion methods — parallel conversion, pilot conversion, phased conversion, and plunge conversion. In parallel conversion, both the old system and the new system are used, while the new system is being tested. When the new system is working the organization stops using the old system. In a pilot conversion, a small group of people uses the new system, while the rest of the organization continues to use the old system. When the new system is working for the pilot group, the rest of the organization switches over. In a phased conversion, the organization switches from the old system to the new system one component at a time until the entire new system is in place. A plunge conversion entails switching the entire organization from the old system to the new system at one time.