Big bang adoption

Big bang adoption is the adoption type of the instant changeover, when everybody associated with the new system moves to the fully functioning new system on a given date.

When a new system needs to be implemented in an organization, there are three different ways to adopt this new system: The big bang adoption, phased adoption and parallel adoption. In case of parallel adoption the old and the new system are running parallel, so all the users can get used to the new system, and meanwhile do their work using the old system. Phased adoption means that the adoption will happen in several phases, so after each phase the system is a little nearer to be fully adopted. With the big bang adoption, the switch between using the old system and using the new system happens at one single date, the so-called instant changeover of the system. Everybody starts to use the new system at the same date and the old system will not be used anymore from that moment on.

The big bang adoption type is riskier than other adoption types because there are fewer learning opportunities incorporated in the approach, so quite some preparation is needed to get to the big bang. This preparation will be described below, illustrated by the process-data model of the big bang adoption.

Several concepts are used in this entry. The definitions of these concepts are given in the table below to make the use of them clear.

Once the management has decided to use the big bang method and supports the changes which are needed for this, the real changing process can start. This process exists of several steps: converting the system, releasing parts of the system and training the future users.

The activities in the process are explained in the table below, to state them clear. The concepts that are used to execute the activities are in capitals.

At first a planning for the whole adoption process is needed. By making a planning future users will know what will happen and when they should expect certain changes, which avoids unnecessary uncertainties and therefore creates a better working atmosphere. The planning also makes clear when the real adoption takes place and gives the future users the opportunity to get ready for this change. In the model below is shown that the activities (in the grey box) lead to outcomes (in the boxes next to the grey box) to be able to have a partial outcome: the converted system

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