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Live beta

Problem/Context

The system being built cannot be completed within a reasonable timeframe

Solution

Let old and new systems live side-by-side which supporting the same workflows. New functionality is implemented in the new system, while the old system is used for other functionality

Strengths

  • Allows smaller releases
  • Provides an alternative if the new solution doesn't perform as expected.
  • The old system can serve as a fallback solution if a release doesn't perform sufficiently

Weaknesses

  • Limitations and the current structure of the existing system will constrain the new system. For example, only very limited changes can be made to the database.
  • Users may be forced to work with both systems, which can be a net loss in usability.

How

  • Find isolated areas of the system
  • Find isolated or new users
  • Simplify by letting the new system be a gateway into the old system. For example, by implementing a better customer search functionality in the new system and letting the user open the selected customer in the old system, the new system may realize some value to many users.