The result from this phase will be a solution design for each application subsystem listed on the inventory. Although these decisions are reversible, a thorough analysis to determine the appropriate solution during this step will save time and money later. Staff assignments can now be made along with estimated completion dates that precede the failure date for the business process. Again, this step is very similar to the development or maintenance phase of a traditional systems development methodology. And the result will be either a modified system of programs or a new system to replace the existing one.
Testing is critical and time consuming.
All applications and devices must be tested with Year 2000 test data to ensure Year 2000 compliance. System Managers should prove Year 2000 compliance with valid test results. This step involves extensive testing and coordination. Appropriate test data needs to be created that will exercise the Year 2000. Each program module must be individually tested as well as the program to program interaction to ensure that data and program communications remains correct and in tact.