---
title: "System implementation and conversion"
subject: "Information System"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_8/information_system:system-implementation-conversion"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/information_system/system-implementation-conversion
site: BCT Engineering
---

# System implementation and conversion

Information System · Chapter 6: Implementations of Information Systems

- Asked in: 2069 Bhadra (old course), 3+3 marks
- Video: [System Conversion Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEX2q_fMlfY) — Christopher Kalodikis
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/information_system/system-implementation-conversion
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/information_system/chapter-6

## Question

What do you understand by system implementation? Discuss steps in system implementation along with different approaches in system conversion.

## Short answer

System implementation is the phase where the designed system is built, tested, and put into operation. Steps include planning, acquisition, coding, testing, data conversion, training, and conversion. Conversion approaches: direct cutover, parallel, pilot, and phased.

## Answer

#### System implementation
**System implementation** is the phase of the system development life cycle in which the designed system is built or installed, tested, and put into operation so that the users start using it in place of the old system. It turns the design into a working system.

#### Steps in system implementation
1. **Planning the implementation:** schedule, resources, responsibilities.
2. **Acquiring and installing hardware, software and network.**
3. **Coding / customising and integrating** the software.
4. **Testing:** unit, integration, system and user acceptance testing.
5. **Data conversion and file preparation:** old data are cleaned and loaded into the new system.
6. **Training of users and operators,** and preparing documentation.
7. **Conversion / changeover** to the new system.
8. **Post-implementation review and support.**

#### Approaches to system conversion
| Approach | Description | Pros / cons |
|---|---|---|
| **Direct (cold turkey)** | The old system is stopped and the new one starts at once | Cheap and fast, but risky |
| **Parallel** | Both systems run together for a period and outputs are compared | Safe, but costly and double work |
| **Pilot** | The new system is tried in one branch/department first | Limits risk; takes longer |
| **Phased (staged)** | Modules or locations are converted step by step | Easier control; needs interfaces between old and new |

```text
 Direct:   Old ------| New ------>
 Parallel: Old ----------|
                 New ---------->
```

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is system implementation in the SDLC?
   A. The phase where the problem is first identified
   B. The phase where only the feasibility study is done
   C. The phase where the designed system is built or installed, tested and put into operation in place of the old system
   D. The phase after the system is retired
   Answer: C. Implementation turns the design into a working system that users start using. (Key point: Meaning of implementation)

2. Which step comes just before conversion / changeover to the new system?
   A. Post-implementation review
   B. Training of users and preparing documentation
   C. Planning the implementation
   D. Retiring the old hardware
   Answer: B. Data conversion and training come before changeover; the review comes after it. (Key point: Step order)

3. Which conversion approach stops the old system and starts the new one at once?
   A. Direct (cold turkey)
   B. Parallel
   C. Pilot
   D. Phased
   Answer: A. Direct conversion is cheap and fast but risky because there is no fallback. (Key point: Direct conversion)

4. What is the main trade-off of parallel conversion?
   A. It is cheapest and fastest but risky
   B. It converts only one branch first
   C. It converts one module at a time
   D. It is safe because outputs are compared, but costly with double work
   Answer: D. Running both systems together gives safety at the price of extra cost and effort. (Key point: Parallel conversion)

## Related in Information System

- [CSFs of IS implementation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Acsf-is-implementation-exposure) — Information System, chapter 6
- [Strategic information system and benefits](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Astrategic-is-benefits) — Information System, chapter 1, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [DSM concept; planning and implementation steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Futilization_of_electrical_energy%3Adsm-concept-planning-implementation) — Utilization of Electrical Energy, chapter 6
- [Short note: Distributed system implementation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Ashort-note-distributed-implementation-issues) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 4
- [File system layout; interface vs implementation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Foperating_system%3Afs-layout-interface-vs-implementation) — Operating System, chapter 5
- [Design steps and criteria of distribution system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Adistribution-design-steps) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 7, asked 3×