Project Implementation is the phase when things are on the their place as per design, requirement and HLD. Now its time to implement the solution. But something writing or explaining on paper or document is easy but implementing practically is different.
Sometime it is not that much easy or possible to implement which we have discussed, mentioned, explained and planned. For example: When we start implementation then we come to know that this software is not supporting such technology or configuration, then we need to upgrade the firmware which was not part of our solution.
To Avoid this:
“ for such things it is always recommended that during RFP or DPR phase always mentioned your requirement clearly, so Vendor can supply the supported hardware with software or firmwares, Modules & other accessories”.
Always prepare a checklist to be “OK” before start implementation:
Active or IT Infra Checks:
- Implementation Team or experts
- Verify the hardware physically as per BOQ and solution
- Check Modules, Power supplies and other Accessories
- Check if any physical damage or Short shipment
- Perform POST ( Post-On-Self-Test)
- Create Inventory list
- Make ready all devices with Module and basic configurations
Let’s discuss in details
- Implementation Team or experts: Expert Team should be ready as per technology proposed. Along with technical there should be a dedicated Project manager assigned to execute the project end to end.
- Verify the hardware physically as per BOQ and solution: Before start mounting, installation, Config or implementation, always verify complete hardware as per BOQ proposed in RFP and HLD. Make ensure that all hardware should be verified physically in presence of customer representative.
- Check Modules, Power supplies and other Accessories: Verifying the BOQ is not just to count the boxes, it includes each and every hardware includes Modules, SPF, Power Supplies, Cables, Licenses, software’s. Some time Modules and Power supplies and other accessories are shipped separately.
- Check if any physical damage or Short shipment : During verification, if any hardware found physically damage, any short shipment, then immediately record it, document it and inform to customer and OEM to get it replaced asap to avoid project delay.
- Perform POST ( Post-On-Self-Test) : Once all Hardware physical verification completed, then before implement and mounting needs to check and test if all hardware and modules/accessories and working fine or not. For that need to perform POST (Power-On-Self-Test). In this test we needs to fully populated all devices with their accessories ( PS, Module, SFP etc) and then connect to UPS power to capture all booting sequence and make ensure that POST should be pass or reported any error. All module and accessories should be detected and working fine.
- Create Inventory list: During POST always capture all Inventory along with accessories details like, Model Type, Model Name, Running software version, Serial numbers of Chassis and Accessories, Version etc.
“Make ensure to always Capture or record all POST, Config, Inventory details from Devices only as these will be needs to share in your Post implementation Document and UAT”
- Make ready all devices with Module and basic configurations : During Powering on, Booting and POST activity, complete basic configuration like, Host name, Mgmt IP Address, Vlans, default gateway etc, so it will save your time during implementation and help to identify the devices by name and allow to access devices over mgmt IP from remote access .
Passive or Non-IT Infra Checks:
- Rack installed Properly
- UPS Power
- Earthing
- Biometric
- LAN Cabling ( Copper and Fiber both)
- Rack should have Cable Manager, Dual Power Strips
- If, possible then recommend Active racks
- Smoke Detector
- Fire extinguisher
- Rodent and Repellent
- PAC & HVAC
- Camera Surveillance
Let’s understand in details these as well
- Rack installed Properly : In HLD only needs to finalized the Rack size and count based on your device count and solution ( Based on HA and Redundancy model. In Some project Active Rack and required to maintain the hardware temperature and ambience. Always design your Rack based on solution like how many 6U, 12U, 24U or 42U Racks. Racks should comply the Data Centres and industry standards.
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- Always recommended or Preferred that Rack door should not Glass door, it should be ventilated to avoid over heated.
Network Rack - Adjustable Rails
- Inbuild PDU, Cable Manager
- All side Door should be removable
- Roof Panel should have Fan and temp sensors
- Always recommended or Preferred that Rack door should not Glass door, it should be ventilated to avoid over heated.
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- All side Door should be lockable
- Racks should have proper wheels to carry
- Build Quality should be good to handle heavy weight hardware.
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- UPS Power : UPS Power should be at place in term of primary and secondary to maintain Power redundancy.
- Earthing: All Rack Earthing / grounding should be completed before powering the devices. Very important.
- Biometric : DC should be Biometric system to avoid any UN-authorized access.
- LAN Cabling ( Copper and Fiber both) : All Copper and Fiber LAN cabling for inter-Rack, Intra-Rack connectivity should be completed and proper labeled.
- Other NON-IT Infrastructure safety compliance : All safety equipment like Smoke Detector, Fire extinguisher, Rodent and Repellent, PAC & HVAC & Camera Surveillance should be on place.
- Dust Free server room/ DC: DC or Server room should be dust free and proper ventilated and tempreture maintained.
Configuration Document:
For all technical or IT or software project configuration is required. Which technology,Protocol, Solution which be used it is already decided and agreed in HLD. But it is not some time easy to configure in one Go. It required lots of discussion between different Tracks team like, Network team, Server Team, Wireless, Security team etc.
Need to gather all requirement from all Track lead. LAN Network is base for all other services, so it is network responsibility as well to understand the project requirement and other device track leads requirement before design the network.
So, We should have all configuration handy before start implementation, so it will save time implement, avoid any Gap, Mistake and connectivity issue.
Ways to track and Monitor project progress
During project implementation phase a close monitoring is required on its progress. Also need to monitor and track that project should be go as per planned.
Some time its happens as per plan, but not every time. Specially large projects. So we can track by below activities. Here I am not going to explain any management tools to track the project, because as per my experience tools can help to make the process easy but untill unless we will not involve personally we can not control any project.
- A dedicated Project manager can be assigned from Customer end to monitor project progress.
- Schedule Daily meetings with Implementation team and assigned Project manager to share daily progress reports
- Schedule Weekly meetings with Implementation team, SI/vendor and Project manager to share weekly progress reports and if any support required.
- Schedule Monthly meetings with SI/vendor Higher management and Customer SPOCs to analysis progress and any GAP, Delay, Support or escalation.
If you found that things are not going well and getting delay then we can Create a WAR ROOM where representative from customer end and Vendor end will be available to handle any issue immediately and taking report on Hourly basis.
Conclusion
Before going to implement any project, there are some mandatory checks that every project manager should checks to avoid any issue. These checks includes Active and passive infra checkes and BOQ, hardware, team readiness and customer agreement and approval should be there in place.
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