A guide to choosing the best time for your IT projects and avoiding common pitfalls
Whether it’s upgrading a server, or installing a new phone system, IT projects are essential for any organization that wants to stay connected. IT projects can be tricky because they often aren’t the top priority and can take a while to complete. To avoid stress, it’s best to plan and schedule them carefully.
Scheduling IT projects
Ideally IT projects are completed when the resources being changed aren’t needed—this can be as simple as performing a software update outside of working hours. But when a project is more complex. This means picking a period when the necessary interruptions will have the least effect on your operations.
If your organization goes through an annual cycle that has predictable slow periods—for example, a tax firm that has a slow period shortly after tax season—then those slow periods are a good time to schedule IT projects.
But not all sectors go through seasonal cycles. All things being equal, if you know far enough in advance what you’re going to need, the best time to get your IT projects done are at the end of the summer and the end of the calendar year.
Why the End of Summer?
The end of summer, usually from late August to early September, is a great time to start or finish your IT projects for several reasons:
- It’s a transition period between summer vacation and the busy fall season, making it a quieter time to work.
- It’s a good time to prep your IT systems for the fall’s challenges and opportunities.
- It can boost team morale by creating a sense of accomplishment before the busy season starts.
Why the End of the Year?
The end of the year, usually from late November to early January, is another ideal time to plan your IT projects for these reasons:
- It’s a time to wrap up annual goals and set new ones for the next year.
- It offers a chance to align your IT strategy with your business vision for the coming year.
- You may benefit from tax deductions or end-of-year discounts.
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls
While the end of summer and the end of the year are optimal times for your IT projects, they are not without risks and challenges.
Staff vacations usually come at the end of the summer and end of the year and can make IT projects easier to complete, provided that certain key staff remain available to collaborate. Make sure all the key stakeholders will be available before starting your IT project.
If your IT project is introducing any changes in operations, you should make sure that your staff have enough time to get comfortable with the new status quo before diving back in.
IT projects are vital for the success and growth of your organization, but they also require careful timing and execution. The end of summer and the end of the year are two of the best times for you to schedule work on your IT projects, because they usually provide a period of relative calm where projects can be completed with minimal interruption to your operations.
At BSC Solutions Group we’re available to help with IT projects whether they’re in the summer, the end of the year (or any time of the year). For more information on how we can help you plan and schedule your next IT project, contact us today.
