After the review of Windows 95 features and benefits, the next step is to prepare the Planning, Installation, and Support teams for the deployment process. If you did not fully staff the Planning team for the review phase, assemble the people you need for both the Planning and Installation teams at this time. Then gather the equipment and tools to be used in planning the Windows 95 implementation and arrange for Support team training. The following checklist outlines the processes of assembling the Planning and Installation teams and its resources and coordinating Support team training.
Preparing the Teams
Task | Team | Start week | Duration |
1: Assign the project manager, if appropriate (usually this is the head of the Information Systems department). | Planning | Week 2 | — |
2: Select key Planning and Installation team members, if appropriate. Make sure to include an applications specialist, for evaluating 32-bit applications. | Planning, Installation | Week 2 | 5 days |
3: Acquire Windows 95 (the compact disc version is preferred because it contains system administration tools). | Planning | Week 2 | 1 day |
4: Identify your client and server hardware and software configurations on the network. | Planning | Week 3 | 5 days |
5: Set up a testing lab. | Planning | Week 2 | 1 day |
6: Acquire test computers for use as the network server and clients. Choose computer models that are typical of those used in your organization. | Planning | Week 2 | 5 days |
7: Install the applications software and line-of-business tools in the lab to simulate the network environment. Also identify the mission-critical and noncritical business and other applications typically used in your organization. Create a checklist for evaluating the compatibility and performance of these applications during testing. | Planning | Week 3 | 3 days |
8: Review detailed discussions of product features in the "Guided Tour for Administrators" in the Windows 95 Resource Kit; study Part 2, "Installation," of the Resource Kit to prepare for configuration planning. | Planning, Installation | Week 3 | 3 days |
9: Study the entire Windows 95 Resource Kit. As an option, obtain Windows 95 TrainCast instructional videotapes from Microsoft. As another option, arrange for the team and other individuals, as appropriate, to attend training at a Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Center and participate in the Microsoft Certified Professional program to prepare for supporting Windows 95. | Support | Week 3 | 10 days |
10: As an option, read Inside Windows 95 from Microsoft Press, for technical details on the internal operation of Windows 95. | Planning, Installation, Support | Week 2 | 10 days |