We’re almost there! You’ve completed most development tasks and are nearing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – a basic, functional version of your GenAI product. Now comes the Deployment Phase (Part 3), where you prepare for launch, train users, and ensure smooth operation.
Working Together for Success:
Similar to the previous phases, all three zones (Strategic, Operational, and Tactical) contribute equally in deployment. Here’s a breakdown of their responsibilities:
Strategic Zone (Leaders & Decision Makers):
- Spread the Word: Get people excited about the upcoming launch! Schedule presentations and demos for key leaders and consider a company-wide announcement (town hall, newsletter, or org website). If the product isn’t fully complete, a demo video showcasing key features is a great option and host it in organizational websites or newsletters.
- Planning for the Future: Collaborate with the Operational Zone to plan for ongoing maintenance and future development. What changes are needed based on lessons learned? How will the product be maintained?
- Warning Signs: Verify and finalize policies or requires messaging with the legal team. Update product to include warning banner or splash pages to confirm adherence to organizational genAI rules and policies.
Operational Zone (Keeping Things Running Smoothly):
- Capture Knowledge: Before project members leave (internal or external), document everything! This includes code, activities, and lessons learned. Don’t let valuable knowledge disappear!
- Adapting to Change: The GenAI landscape is constantly evolving. Research and analyze potential product changes. For example, text limitations might be a thing of the past, requiring model and code updates.
- Deployment Prep: Work with IT to confirm access controls and permissions for using GenAI technology. Deployment in a company-wide environment requires more checks than isolated development, so expect a longer process.
Tactical Zone (Hands-on Development & User Support):
This zone goes beyond just developers! It includes everyone who directly strives for the success of the product, especially those involved in Adoption Management (AM).
Here’s what the AM Team Does:
- Fuel the Hype: Create user-friendly communication materials to build excitement for the product launch. Think of it like a movie trailer campaign with different types of messages leading up to release.
- Learning Made Easy: Develop various training materials like dedicated workshops, walk-in sessions, or short, targeted video lessons (micro-learning). This caters to different learning styles and allows for quick updates without needing to redo entire training videos.
- Track Progress: Utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to track user completion rates, analyze feedback, and confirm understanding of organizational policies and requirements for the product.
- Document and Reflect: While the knowledge is fresh, document all completed activities and lessons learned. Use the Agile retrospective ceremony to discuss what worked well and what could be improved. This will be valuable for future projects and demonstrates leadership potential.
Deployment Steps:
- Development Wrap-up: Collaborate with the Operational Zone and IT to prepare for migration to the final deployment environment. Stop all development before migration to ensure a working MVP. After launch, continue development to fix any bugs or issues.
- Hyper-care: Schedule support from the development team to address any initial issues and ensure a positive user experience. This shows users their feedback is valued. As bugs become less frequent, work with the AM team to establish communication channels for addressing future issues and releases.
Remember, successful deployment relies on collaboration across all zones. By following these steps, your team can launch a fantastic GenAI product and ensure its smooth operation over time!
Want to know more? I’m here to help! I love building things with tech that make work easier and more fun. Let’s chat and see how genAI can change the way you work!
