Testing the world's 2nd biggest OEIC conversion

The IBM conversion project

A project for

IBM played a critical role in delivering the world's second largest OEIC conversion - with help from Isabel Evans of IE Testing Consultancy Ltd. This project converted 30,000 PEPs and 20,000 Unit Trusts worth over £800 million to OEICs (Open Ended Investment Companies) successfully and on time.

Isabel provided test management to the software project, including devising the test strategy, detailed system test planning, tracking and control of test progress. She also provided implementation planning and support for the dress rehearsal and the live conversion. This including setting up and controlling the audit trail through the software conversion progress, liaison with the auditors and investment managers and detailed reporting to the IBM project manager.

Mike Bowdon, who managed the project for IBM, says:

"This was a major project - for our customer and for IBM. It was our role to transfer the unit trust and PEP data residing on a VSAM/CICS system and transfer it across to the new IMS based OEIC application.

We delivered on time and successfully.

The project was high profile and high risk. It was complicated both technically and in business terms by the range of data sources to be converted to the target system and the number of organisations working together to make the project a success.

We used Isabel Evans of IE Testing Consultancy Ltd in two major roles within the project: to provide our test strategy planning and in implementation planning.

Isabel's experience and commitment were a major factor in our success. Her contribution was outstanding, the quality of her work was very high and she was a tower of strength throughout the project.

It's not just the theoretical knowledge that she brings to bear when solving problems; her personal qualities make her an excellent practitioner."

In thanking the whole team, the customer company's manager noted that:

"... we successfully completed the conversion ... this exercise involved the transfer of over 40,000 client records ... Good communications and co-operation have been crucial to the overall success that has been achieved. Heartfelt congratulations go to all those people involved in making this project a success."

Isabel Evans of IE Testing Consultancy Ltd says:

"This project was challenging and great fun - it was a pleasure to work with the IBM team and with their customers. The whole conversion team across all the organisations involved pulled together to make a real team success.

The IBM Insurance Services Division design and development team has enormous experience of this type of large software project and understand the importance of working co-operatively with the test group and with the customers. They involved us early in the project - as a result we were able to have a positive impact quickly."

Where to find us:

Our offices are in the west of England. We regularly provide our courses and services throughout the UK. We have worked in Europe and the USA.

For further information about any of our services or training courses, please contact:

sales@ietesting.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1905 726727
Fax: +44 (0) 1905 726766

or write to

Isabel Evans
IE Testing Consultancy Ltd
Restdale House
32/33 Foregate Street
Worcester WR1 1EE
United Kingdom