Training activity information
Details
Plan and carry out the deployment of a system development change or upgrade in a controlled fashion, taking into account the impact on existing functionality and clinical service
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Web development tools and client-side scripting
- Version control systems
- Version history
- Creating packages, including rollback packages
- NHS best practice for the safe and secure operation of digital and technology platforms
- Release notes
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key objectives of this specific deployment or upgrade?
- What do you already know about deployment processes, change management, and considerations for maintaining clinical service continuity?
- What specific insights do you hope to gain about managing the deployment process and its impact?
- How will you consider the risks associated with systems development during the deployment planning?
- What different models of change management might be relevant to consider for this deployment?
- What specific actions will you take to plan the deployment in a controlled fashion?
- What potential impacts on existing functionality and clinical service might occur, and how will you mitigate these?
- How do you feel about planning and carrying out this deployment?
- What information do you need regarding the system, users, and potential rollback procedures before planning the deployment?
In action
During the Planning Phase:
- What actions are you currently taking to plan the deployment?
- How are you deciding on the deployment steps and timelines? What is your reasoning behind these choices?
- What decisions are you making regarding rollback procedures, communication strategies, and testing before go-live?
- What parts of the deployment planning process feel straightforward, and what areas require more deliberation due to potential impacts?
- How is your planning progressing towards a controlled deployment that considers the impact on existing functionality and clinical service?
- How effective are your planning decisions in mitigating potential risks and ensuring a smooth transition?
- What challenges are you identifying in anticipating and addressing potential disruptions to clinical services?
- What insights are you gaining about deployment management as you develop this plan?
- How does this planning activity relate to your knowledge of change management and IT service management principles?
- How are you adapting your deployment plan based on your understanding of the system changes and the operational environment?
- Are there alternative deployment strategies you should be considering to minimise impact?
- Do you need to consult with others for their input or expertise at this stage?
- Are you ensuring that your planned actions are within your responsibilities and follow established protocols?
During the Execution Phase:
- What specific deployment steps are you currently carrying out?
- How are you executing each step? Why are you following this sequence?
- What immediate decisions are you making in response to any unexpected issues or observations during the deployment?
- What aspects of the deployment execution feel routine, and what requires more careful monitoring and intervention?
- How is the deployment progressing in terms of the intended changes and the stability of the system and clinical services?
- How effective are your actions in achieving a successful deployment and addressing any immediate problems?
- What unexpected challenges are you encountering during the deployment?
- What are you learning about the practicalities of system deployment in real-time?
- How does this deployment experience relate to any prior experiences with system changes or upgrades?
- How are you adapting your approach to the deployment based on live feedback and the system’s behaviour?
- Are there alternative actions you need to consider to resolve any emerging issues?
- Do you need to request immediate support to address any critical problems?
- Are you operating within the defined procedures and your level of competence during the deployment?
On action
- Describe the key steps you planned and executed for the deployment of the system development change or upgrade. What were the critical considerations you addressed to ensure a controlled deployment? How did you account for the impact on existing functionality and clinical service? What communication strategies did you employ? What were the immediate outcomes of the deployment?
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve in relation to system deployment and change management? What did you learn about the importance of planning and control during system changes in a healthcare setting? Were there any unexpected issues or successes during the deployment? What did you learn from these? How did your ability to adapt during the deployment (reflect-in-action) influence the process and outcome? How does effective system deployment relate to maintaining the integrity and availability of clinical services?
- What areas for continued development in system deployment and change management have you identified? How can you apply the lessons learned from this deployment to future system changes or upgrades? What specific actions or ‘next steps’ will you take to improve your planning and execution of system deployments? What support or resources might be helpful, such as further training on change management methodologies or specific deployment tools?
Beyond action
- Reflecting on the deployment plan you created and the execution of the deployment, how would you evaluate its effectiveness now? What contingency planning aspects might you have strengthened? Have you been involved in other system deployments or upgrades since this training activity? How did this initial experience inform your approach to subsequent deployments? Did discussions with colleagues or end-users after the deployment highlight any unforeseen impacts or areas for improvement in future deployments? Review your reflect-on-action notes for this training activity. Has your understanding of the importance of controlled deployment and impact assessment evolved?
- Has this experience improved your understanding of the practical considerations involved in implementing new applications and upgrades? How has it contributed to your awareness of the potential risks associated with system changes and the need for careful planning and risk management? Has this training activity enhanced your appreciation for the importance of considering the impact on clinical service and existing functionality during system changes? Has it influenced how you might plan the initial steps to maintain business continuity in response to IT failure?
- What planning, risk management, and communication skills did you develop through this training activity that will be crucial for managing system changes in the future? What further learning will you undertake to enhance your skills in system deployment methodologies and change management? How will your ability to plan and execute controlled system deployments contribute to the stability and reliability of clinical information systems in your future role?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 6 |
Outcome
Implement new applications and upgrades to an existing application using controlled methodology. |