The R3 Project Phases: What are they and who is involved?
Posted on Thursday, June 30th, 2022
The R3 Project includes multiple phases, and you might be interested in finding out what each one does and how they will affect the AC Community. These phases allow Algonquin College’s R3 Project team and Thesis—the vendor providing the new Student Information System (SIS), Thesis Student Management (Thesis SM)—to plan and coordinate project milestones within targeted end dates.
Below are the five Project Phases:
- Discovery Phase
- Design and Develop Phase
- Technical Testing Phase
- User Testing Phase
- Go-Live Phase
Now, what do each of these phases mean? What are we doing in each of these phases? Who is involved? Let’s go through each phase and break them down, step by step:
1. Discovery Phase
This first phase is understanding what the vendor, Thesis, can do for Algonquin College and envisioning what is possible for the new SIS. This phase is also called the Familiarize Phase.
At this stage, the R3 Project team and other members of the AC Community are working with Thesis to determine what can go into the new SIS and what the AC needs are when it comes to using a SIS.
2. Design and Develop Phase
The next phase, Design and Develop, involves configuring Thesis SM—which is the new SIS—to meet the needs of Algonquin College, as well as designing and developing new Business Processes. This phase is also called the Personalize Phase.
Throughout this phase, technical work is also occurring, including data migration, integrations, and Identity and Access Management (security).
Also, our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) play a vital role in rethinking and redesigning our Business Processes. These are AC employees who provide feedback and give their own perspective on how we can best use the new SIS. The SMEs also determine how our Business Processes may be impacted moving forward.
The expertise of our SMEs guides the next steps when it comes to considering the redesigning of our current Business Processes to best serve our employees and students.
3. Technical Testing Phase
Next, we have the Technical Testing Phase, which includes testing the new SIS and the walkthroughs of the updated or new AC Business Processes. Additionally, integrations with other applications—think Brightspace, for example—are tested. This phase is also called the Integrated System Testing Phase (say that ten times fast!).
Our Core Users will be testing the new software as well as get training on the new Algonquin College Business Processes.
The R3 Project team will collect and analyze feedback while also identifying and resolving technical issues that come up during the testing. During this phase, training development is completed for both General and Core Users.
4. User Testing Phase
During this phase, staff are trained on the new SIS, Thesis SM. Testers could identify problems that may need to be resolved, and Business Processes will also be tested. This phase is also called the Acceptance Testing Phase.
5. Launch Phase
During the Go-Live Phase, the new SIS and Student Portal will be implemented. This phase is also called the Deploy Phase. Integrations with other applications—again, think Brightspace—are also implemented, and students are trained on the new Thesis Student Portal (which will replace ACSIS).
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This is a quick summary of our Project Phases, and there will be continued support following the Go-Live Phase.
As we progress through each phase, we’ll highlight R3 Project accomplishments and review upcoming goals for the next phase.
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If you’re wondering where you can find more information about the Project, then the R3 Project FAQ and Glossary sections are great resources!
Additionally, don’t miss our next R3 Showcase Event to receive important updates and learn more about the R3 Project. We’ll also be happy to answer any questions that you might have.
The next R3 Showcase is set for Thursday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m.
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