Features in detail

substitute mode
execution mode AUTO
downtimes
change tracking
resource matrix
data quality
revision security

Below is a detailed description of a handful of features which, in our opinion, characterize a professional cutover tool.

Substitute mode

Problem definition	During a dress rehearsal, some of the employees who are supposed to execute tasks are on vacation or an employee unexpectedly calls in sick. How can I replace this person quickly and easily in the cutover plan?
Solution	The CutoverManager offers the “Substitute mode” feature, with which a user can be dynamically replaced by a substitute without intervening in the master/live plan. A substitute can be stored in the respective user data. When a user's substitute mode is activated, the CutoverManager replaces the user with their substitute for all tasks in which the user is assigned as the responsible person. The replacement takes place dynamically during the plan calculation by the CutoverManager, whereby the Cockpit, Management Plan, Resource Matrix and Dashboard views display the substitute as the responsible user in “real time”. Replaced users are displayed in blue in the cockpit. By simply deactivating the substitute mode, all tasks are reassigned to the original user.
To find ...	ADMINISTRATION > USER > Choose user > Substitute mode = YES PROFILE > SETTINGS > Substitute mode = YES

Problem definition

During a dress rehearsal, some of the employees who are supposed to execute tasks are on vacation or an employee unexpectedly calls in sick. How can I replace this person quickly and easily in the cutover plan?

Solution

The CutoverManager offers the “Substitute mode” feature, with which a user can be dynamically replaced by a substitute without intervening in the master/live plan. A substitute can be stored in the respective user data.

When a user's substitute mode is activated, the CutoverManager replaces the user with their substitute for all tasks in which the user is assigned as the responsible person.

The replacement takes place dynamically during the plan calculation by the CutoverManager, whereby the Cockpit, Management Plan, Resource Matrix and Dashboard views display the substitute as the responsible user in “real time”. Replaced users are displayed in blue in the cockpit.

By simply deactivating the substitute mode, all tasks are reassigned to the original user.

To find ...

ADMINISTRATION > USER > Choose user > Substitute mode = YES

PROFILE > SETTINGS > Substitute mode = YES

Execution mode AUTO

Problem definition	Do all tasks have to be initiated manually from the control center?
Solution	The “Execution mode” can be set to “automatic” in the cockpit. In this case, the CutoverManager checks every minute whether tasks need to be initiated. If this is the case, the CutoverManager automatically sends an initiation e-mail to the responsible users. The execution mode is displayed below the table in the cockpit view. By simply deactivating the automatic execution mode, manual control is once again taken over by the control center.
To find ...	EXECUTION > COCKPIT > Execution mode (toggle) EXECUTION > PLAN > Choose plan > Execution mode = AUTO

Problem definition

Do all tasks have to be initiated manually from the control center?

Solution

The “Execution mode” can be set to “automatic” in the cockpit. In this case, the CutoverManager checks every minute whether tasks need to be initiated. If this is the case, the CutoverManager automatically sends an initiation e-mail to the responsible users.

The execution mode is displayed below the table in the cockpit view.

By simply deactivating the automatic execution mode, manual control is once again taken over by the control center.

To find ...

EXECUTION > COCKPIT > Execution mode (toggle)

EXECUTION > PLAN > Choose plan > Execution mode = AUTO

Downtimes

Problem definition	How can non-working hours and weekends in the preparation and follow-up phases be taken into account in the plan?
Solution	The CutoverManager offers the "downtimes" feature. A downtime has a start and end time and specifies whether no task may be started or ended during this period. Any number of downtimes can be created for periods outside regular working hours and for weekends off. The effective working time can be defined as the duration, especially for long-running tasks, without having to include the hours in the non-working nights and weekends in the planning. No tasks are initiated during downtimes while the plan is being executed.
To find ...	PLANNING > DOWNTIMES

Problem definition

Illustration of a white male with a clock

How can non-working hours and weekends in the preparation and follow-up phases be taken into account in the plan?

Solution

The CutoverManager offers the "downtimes" feature.

A downtime has a start and end time and specifies whether no task may be started or ended during this period. Any number of downtimes can be created for periods outside regular working hours and for weekends off.

The effective working time can be defined as the duration, especially for long-running tasks, without having to include the hours in the non-working nights and weekends in the planning. No tasks are initiated during downtimes while the plan is being executed.

To find ...

PLANNING > DOWNTIMES

Change tracking

Problem definition	How can I see what changes have been made to the plan?
Solution	The CutoverManager offers the “Change tracking” feature, which logs all changes. For master and live tasks, there is a change history at attribute level, i.e. all changes are traceable and can be displayed in a comparison. In addition, report functions can be used to display all changes in chronological order over a specific period of time.
To find ...	PLANNING > TASKS > History EXECUTION > Choose task > History REPORT > PLANNING ACTIVITY REPORT > EXECUTION ACTIVITY

Problem definition

Illustration of a white male with a change sign

How can I see what changes have been made to the plan?

Solution

The CutoverManager offers the “Change tracking” feature, which logs all changes.

For master and live tasks, there is a change history at attribute level, i.e. all changes are traceable and can be displayed in a comparison.

In addition, report functions can be used to display all changes in chronological order over a specific period of time.

To find ...

PLANNING > TASKS > History

EXECUTION > Choose task > History

REPORT > PLANNING ACTIVITY

REPORT > EXECUTION ACTIVITY

Resource matrix

Problem definition	How can I create a resource utilization for coordination with HR, the works council, etc. from CutoverManager?
Solution	The CutoverManager offers the “Resource matrix” feature, which can be used to create a resource utilization based on the master or live plan. The resource matrix shows the utilization of the respective employees based on a selectable scaling (export as CSV possible). A maximum number of working hours can also be entered. Based on this, the CutoverManager determines all employees for whom the maximum working hours have been exceeded. Employees can also use the function to independently obtain an overview of their working hours.
To find ...	PLANNING > RESOURCE MATRIX EXECUTION > RESOURCE MATRIX

Problem definition

How can I create a resource utilization for coordination with HR, the works council, etc. from CutoverManager?

Solution

The CutoverManager offers the “Resource matrix” feature, which can be used to create a resource utilization based on the master or live plan.

The resource matrix shows the utilization of the respective employees based on a selectable scaling (export as CSV possible). A maximum number of working hours can also be entered. Based on this, the CutoverManager determines all employees for whom the maximum working hours have been exceeded.

Employees can also use the function to independently obtain an overview of their working hours.

To find ...

PLANNING > RESOURCE MATRIX

EXECUTION > RESOURCE MATRIX

Data quality

Problem definition	Can the data quality of the cutover plan be checked?
Solution	CutoverManager offers the “Data quality” feature, which can be used to validate the entered or imported data. Such a check is particularly important after importing plans or individual tasks into the CutoverManager. The plan data is checked for the following criteria, among others: Responsible user in time-parallel tasks Circular references of tasks Tasks without duration Duplicates Tasks with deactivated users
To find ...	PLANNING > DATA QUALITY

Problem definition

Illustration of a white male with a green checkmark

Can the data quality of the cutover plan be checked?

Solution

CutoverManager offers the “Data quality” feature, which can be used to validate the entered or imported data.

Such a check is particularly important after importing plans or individual tasks into the CutoverManager.

The plan data is checked for the following criteria, among others:

Responsible user in time-parallel tasks
Circular references of tasks
Tasks without duration
Duplicates
Tasks with deactivated users

To find ...

PLANNING > DATA QUALITY

Revision security

Problem definition	After a successful cutover, all data must be stored in an audit-proof manner. How can I export the data?
Solution	The CutoverManager offers extensive export features at various points, which fulfill the audit requirements. The master plan can be saved in JSON format. This plan can also be loaded back into the CutoverManager at a later date. The calculated master and live plans, as well as the complete change history of all tasks in the planning and execution phases, can be exported in CSV format. In addition, all notification logs (e.g. e-mail) can also be saved in CSV format.
To find ...	PLANNING > PLANS > Export plan PLANNING > COCKPIT > Export EXECUTION > COCKPIT > Export EXECUTION > NOTIFICATION LOG > Export REPORT > PLANNING ACTIVITY > Export REPORT > EXECUTION ACTIVITY > Export

Problem definition

Illustration of a white male with a report

After a successful cutover, all data must be stored in an audit-proof manner. How can I export the data?

Solution

The CutoverManager offers extensive export features at various points, which fulfill the audit requirements.

The master plan can be saved in JSON format. This plan can also be loaded back into the CutoverManager at a later date.

The calculated master and live plans, as well as the complete change history of all tasks in the planning and execution phases, can be exported in CSV format.

In addition, all notification logs (e.g. e-mail) can also be saved in CSV format.