An essential part of their process involves preparing for quarterly updates. The team schedules these updates well in advance, allowing ample time to understand the upcoming changes. They analyze release notes, identify relevant features, and assess the impact on their organization. This proactive approach ensures that they are not caught off guard by any new developments.
Testing and validation are critical components of their release management process. The team meticulously plans and executes testing cycles for every new release, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive testing to catch any issues before they impact the broader user base. They employ a two-phased testing approach: first, they perform initial testing in a development environment, followed by extensive testing in a staging environment. This thorough process helps ensure that any potential issues are identified and resolved early on. They also leverage automated testing tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Communication is another cornerstone of their strategy. By maintaining an open line of communication with stakeholders, they ensure that everyone is aware of upcoming changes and how they will be affected. This proactive communication helps in managing expectations and reducing resistance to change. They conduct regular meetings with key stakeholders, providing updates and gathering feedback to ensure alignment across the organization.
Documentation is an essential aspect of their process. The Choctaw Nation team meticulously documents every step of their release management process, from planning to execution. This detailed documentation serves as a valuable resource for future reference and helps in maintaining consistency across releases. They create comprehensive user guides and training materials to support end-users in adapting to new features and functionalities.
Furthermore, they continuously seek feedback and are always looking for ways to improve. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, they ensure that their release management process evolves and adapts to meet the changing needs of their organization. After each update, the team conducts a post-implementation review to identify successes and areas for improvement. This reflective practice helps them refine their approach for future releases.
In summary, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has developed a robust and effective Cloud HCM release management process through regular updates and training, proactive preparation for quarterly updates, comprehensive testing and validation, proactive stakeholder communication, detailed documentation, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Their approach serves as a valuable example for other organizations looking to optimize their own release management processes.
To hear the full session from Emily Crow of Choctaw Nation, please watch HCM Cloud Community Release Management Roundtable.
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