About DS Change Management
Decision Support follows a multi-step process to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of changes to the production Data Warehouse environment. The Decision Support Change Management Process enables us to:
- Identify potential Data Warehouse modifications and enhancements
- Determine scope and priority for such changes to features and functionality
- Track production changes in the Data Warehouse
- Communicate availability of new features, functionality, or fixes to the user community
What Does Change Management Include?
The Change Management Process includes minor changes to the Data Warehouse tables & views, processing logic, and BusinessObjects universes. The Change Management process is designed for defect corrections and additions or enhancements to functionality that are not a large enough work effort to be considered a project.
How Does DS Identify Changes?
DS identifies changes through a variety of means, including via direct contact with users or user-filed support cases; during User Acceptance Testing prior to new project implementations; DS staff members; and as a result of business solutions analysis and DS strategic direction.
To make a change request or report a defect, please follow the instructions listed on "Requesting Data Warehouse Changes".
Who Decides What Changes Will Be Made?
All requested changes are documented and analyzed by DS business analysts, and then submitted for review at internal Decision Support Change Management prioritization meetings. Functional Area Coordinators prioritize changes based on criticality of the change, timeliness and impact to customers.
When Are Changes Implemented?
Changes, including defect corrections and additional or enhanced functionality, are bundled into monthly releases.
How Can I Find Out About Changes?
After each release is implemented, Release Notes are issued to detail technical information about each change and how it impacts users. If an prioritized change will require a change to be made by the customer, Decision Support will notify the customer approximately 3 weeks prior to the change being implemented. This will allow the user time to analyze the impact. If you would like to be notified when new Release Notes are available, please subscribe to the EDW Changes communication list. (If you are receiving notices and no longer want to, you may also unsubscribe. See all the available lists from the Decision Support team.)