FREE Software Upgrade Plan Template
Master software upgrade project plan timelines with our intuitive software upgrade plan template project plan Gantt chart template.
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Why use our Software Upgrade Plan Template instead of Excel or Google Sheets?
Get started with our Software Upgrade Plan Template in seconds while skipping the hassle involved with Excel or Google Sheets.
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How to use Tom’s Planner’s software upgrade plan template to build and share your software project.
Getting your project off the ground is as easy as 1-2-3.
Step #1
Click the 'start with template’ button to open the Software Upgrade Plan Template.
Step #2
Register for a free account and watch a short video on using Tom’s Planner. The account is free forever, with no strings attached.
Step #3
You’re all set to use the Gantt chart template. Need additional help? Our AI assistant can create a custom Gantt chart Software Upgrade Plan Template based on your project description.
What is a software upgrade plan template?
Software provides critical functionality and supports your business objectives. However, these tools will eventually need to be updated. While some tools require little more than downloading the update and then restarting the program, more substantial updates require a great deal of preparation and planning. A software upgrade plan template can help streamline this process.
A software upgrade plan template is a tool used to outline the steps and processes involved in upgrading software within an organization. It can include several important planning items, such as:
- Objectives
- Resources
- Project scope
- Deliverables
- KPIs
However, a generic software upgrade plan template in Excel may not be the best tool. Instead, consider using a software upgrade plan Gantt chart.
Why use a software upgrade plan Gantt chart?
It’s all about granular planning capabilities and customization. Rather than generic elements, you can create a plan specific to your organization’s unique needs and goals. Some of the things you can plan include:
- Resource allocation
- Assigning tasks
- Identifying dependencies
- Creating visual timelines
The right planning tool is critical to success in your project. Tom’s Planner delivers the capabilities you need.
When to use a software upgrade plan template
From maintaining timelines to allocating resources, you’ll find that a software upgrade plan Gantt chart is essential at multiple stages in the project:
Planning Phase:
Your software upgrade process plan is essential during the initial planning stages. It will help you outline the steps required, identify resources, assign tasks, and more.
Resource Allocation:
You’ll need to identify, allocate, and manage resources before, during, and after your software upgrade, and a software upgrade plan Gantt chart like Tom’s Planner simplifies that.
During the Upgrade:
During the upgrade, IT teams and other stakeholders will use the software upgrade project plan template as a roadmap to ensure accurate, timely completion.
When used appropriately, a software upgrade plan Gantt chart is a critical asset, providing the means to plan and control the project accurately.
Who should use a software upgrade plan template?
Quite a few professionals will need to use the software upgrade plan Gantt chart, including the following:
IT Teams:
In many instances, your in-house IT teams will need to use a software upgrade plan Gantt chart to plan the project, identify dependencies, assign tasks, and communicate with others.
Software Users:
Software users may need access to the software upgrade plan template to understand where the project stands, participate in testing, and for other needs.
Other Stakeholders:
Other stakeholders may also need to access the software upgrade plan template, including software developers, C-suite members, managers, and team leaders.
Effective planning using a tool like Tom’s Planner can make the difference between success and failure in your upgrade project.
Start with templateThe top three pitfalls to avoid when planning a software upgrade
Streamline your software upgrade project and increase the chances of a successful outcome by avoiding these pitfalls:
- Poor Project Planning and Management
Accurate planning and ongoing management are two of the most critical considerations for any software upgrade. Without them, your project will fail and could result in unexpected downtime and data loss.
Solution:A detailed project plan laid out in Tom’s Planner, coupled with effective, experienced management, helps avoid unanticipated problems.
- Poor Resource Management
Software updates can be resource-intensive. Poor resource management during the project can lead to delays, cost overruns, and defects in the software upgrade.
Solution:Make resource planning, allocation, and management primary parts of your project planning efforts.
- Poor Risk Management
All software upgrades come with risks. Failing to identify potential risks and plan for them can lead to project failure.
Solution:Conduct in-depth risk assessments as part of your project planning process and create mitigation strategies.
What does a software upgrade plan template include?
- Documentation Review:
Your software upgrade plan must get off on the right foot. This will require collecting initial documentation, sorting documents, identifying subject matter, highlighting key points, discussing reviews, and documenting your update needs.
- Requirements Checking:
The next phase in your software upgrade plan template should be checking requirements. This will require that you gather requirements and categorize them, assess hardware needs, evaluate software, check compatibility, analyze system capabilities, and prioritize requirements.
- Schedule Planning:
You’ll also need to plan your update schedule. What’s the scope of the project? What tasks are involved and what sequence must they follow? How much time do you estimate for the project? You’ll also need to allocate resources, assess risks, plan for contingencies, and communicate this information to others involved in the project.
- Data Backup:
There’s always a risk of data loss during a software update. You’ll need to back up your data to protect it. This will require that you identify the data that must be protected, create a backup strategy, allocate resources, choose storage, and execute the backup.
- User Notification:
Software users will need to know about the update. This phase involves identifying user groups, drafting notifications, choosing the communication channels for those notifications, and then scheduling and sending notifications. You should also verify that each user has received and understood the notice.
- Recovery Planning:
Recovery planning involves risk identification, conducting an impact analysis, resource allocation, designing recovery procedures, and documenting the recovery plan.
- Upgrade Execution and Post-Upgrade Review:
Finally, it’s time to execute the upgrade. This will require downtime, decommissioning the software, installing the upgrade, configuring the software, conducting initial tests, restarting the system, conducting a post-installation check, and restoring the system. After that, you’ll need to conduct a post-upgrade review to identify any potential issues that occurred during the process and find resolutions for them.
Don’t let your software upgrade project falter due to poor planning. Tom’s Planner provides the granular control and planning capabilities you need.
Four tips on how to make sure you reach your deadlines
1. Don’t Skimp on the Planning
Software upgrades might not seem like they require the same degree of planning as more in-depth tasks, like data migration. However, they have the potential to be very costly if they go wrong. Don’t skimp on your planning. Start early and use the right tools to improve planning accuracy. Tom’s Planner can help.
2. Run a Trial Upgrade
Part of your planning process should be running a trial upgrade. This can shed valuable light on potential slowdowns, bottlenecks, and issues that will delay the project, allowing you to plan for more eventualities. It can also help you prepare other stakeholders for the process, ensuring a smooth upgrade.
3. Test Your Upgrade
Once the upgrade has been installed and configured, test the software extensively. This will help work out bugs and other issues that could lead to delays in wrapping up your project.
4. Plan for User Training
Don’t assume that your upgrade is finished after installation. Your users will need to know what’s new and how to utilize new features and capabilities. User training is just as much a part of your software upgrade as anything else.
Gantt charts in Tom's Planner vs in Excel
| Excel | Tom's Planner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | License required | Free version available |
| Learning curve | Hours | Minutes |
| Create your first Gantt chart | Hours | Minutes |
| Making an update in your chart | Several minutes | Seconds (drag & drop) |
| Sharing charts with others | At some point you will save and email a file titled: version_4_def_usethisversion_reallyfinal.xlsx | Online, one source of truth, always up to date, with no confusion |
| Look & Feel | Messy | Clean, polished and professional |
| Dependencies |  |
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| Filtering |  |
 |
| Zoom in/out | |
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| Automatic Legend | |
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| AI-assist | |
Let our AI assist do the work for you |
| Export to image or pdf | Requires workarounds to export | One mouse click |
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