How do you assess the impact of a software change on your users and stakeholders?

1 Define the scope of the change

The first step in software change impact analysis is to define the scope of the change. This means specifying what parts of the software are affected by the change, what are the objectives and expected outcomes of the change, and what are the constraints and risks associated with the change. The scope of the change should be clear, concise, and consistent with the project plan and the stakeholder expectations.

2 Identify the impact areas

The next step is to identify the impact areas of the change. These are the components, features, functions, or aspects of the software that may be influenced by the change, either directly or indirectly. Impact areas can be classified into three categories: technical, functional, and non-functional. Technical impact areas are related to the code, architecture, design, or testing of the software. Functional impact areas are related to the behavior, logic, or output of the software. Non-functional impact areas are related to the quality, performance, usability, or security of the software.

3 Analyze the impact level

The third step is to analyze the impact level of the change. This means assessing the magnitude, complexity, and probability of the effects of the change on the impact areas. The impact level can be measured using various criteria, such as the number of affected components, the amount of code changes, the degree of dependency, the severity of errors, the frequency of use, or the user satisfaction. The impact level can be expressed using a scale, such as low, medium, or high, or using a numerical value, such as a percentage or a score.

4 Prioritize the impact areas

The fourth step is to prioritize the impact areas of the change. This means ranking the impact areas according to their importance, urgency, or risk. The priority of the impact areas can be determined using various factors, such as the stakeholder needs, the project goals, the resource availability, or the impact level. The priority of the impact areas can be indicated using a label, such as critical, major, or minor, or using a color, such as red, yellow, or green.

5 Plan the impact mitigation

The fifth step is to plan the impact mitigation of the change. This means devising and documenting the strategies, actions, or measures to prevent, reduce, or resolve the negative effects of the change on the impact areas. The impact mitigation plan should include the following elements: the impact area, the impact level, the impact mitigation strategy, the impact mitigation action, the impact mitigation owner, and the impact mitigation deadline.

6 Monitor the impact evaluation

The sixth and final step is to monitor the impact evaluation of the change. This means tracking and reporting the progress, results, or feedback of the impact mitigation actions on the impact areas. The impact evaluation should be conducted using various methods, such as testing, reviewing, surveying, or interviewing. The impact evaluation should be communicated using various formats, such as reports, charts, graphs, or dashboards.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?