The Test Environment Management Plan Template
Two Questions
Two question we often get asked at Enov8 is where does one begin and/or can you provide a good example.In response to the first question, where does one beginwe often point them back to two key reference points.The IEEE’s recommended minimum standard for process for Configuration Management.
An overarching guideline for Test Environment Maturity.
Firstly, because at the heart of Test Environment Management is Configuration Management. There is no getting away from it, the heart of good TEM is Identification, Managements, Status Accounting & Audit. And secondly TEM is more than simply Configuration Management, TEM has associated “nuances” that move into the wider world of Agile, ITSM & ITOM.In response to the second, can we provide a good examplewe often scratch our head 🙁 … You see, the problem with providing an example is there are not many good samples of a Test Environment Plan available online. In fact, it is often hard enough to find “good” Configuration Management Plans, and people have been writing these since the seventies.So, with that in mind, we decided to put together a template (a simple guideline) that other people can follow and leverage. A template that shares many of the structural elements you might expect to find in a Configuration Management Plan, but with an extra twist aligned to the IT & Test Environment Management Maturity Index.Example TEM Plan Template Structure
Test Environment Management Plan (Light Version)1 Introduction
Tip: Initial TEM introduction, scoping & context.1.1 Purpose of the TEM Plan1.2 Scope of DocumentTip: In addition to TEM process we suggest you describe at a high level, your Test Environment(s) your supporting here. 1.3 Definitions, Acronyms and Abbreviations1.4 Document References1.5 Document Overview2 The TEM Team Structure
Tip: High Level overview of TEM team structure & enablers.2.1 Organisation2.2 Responsibilities2.3 Tools & Infrastructure3 The TEM Process
Tip: Define how each primary process will be realized (think People, Process & Tools)3.1 Knowledge ManagementRefer: Mapping your Environments.3.2 Demand Management3.3 Planning & Coordination3.4 Service Management3.5 Data Operations3.6 Application Operations3.7 Infrastructure Operations3.8 Status Accounting & Reporting4 Plan Outcomes
Outline the primary benefits of implementing this Test Environment Management plan.For example:The intention / benefits of implementing this plan can be summarized as follow:- End to End visibility of Test Environments
- End to End Visibility of Activity
- Operational Standardization
- Increased DevTest productivity
- Reduced Environment Incidents / Disruption
- Accelerated IT Project Delivery
- IT Cost Optimization / Controlled Spend i.e. spend based on need & usage.
5 Implementation Project Plan
Tip” Describe how we will get there. 5.0 Project Resources5.1 Delivery Milestone Plan5.2 Actor Training Plan5.3 Optimization Plan6 Appendix
A Concise Download Version
For a more concise version of above (with section explanations) please download our PDF example.Post Authoring Review
Happy with your document and/or new processes?- Hold regular retrospectives with stakeholders & team members to get ideas for improvement.
- And use our online EMMI calculator to compare it against the EMMI methodology.
Relevant Articles
Enterprise Release Management: The Ultimate Guide
April, 2024 by Niall Crawford Author Niall Crawford Niall is the Co-Founder and CIO of Enov8. He has 25 years of experience working across the IT industry from Software Engineering, Architecture, IT & Test Environment Management and Executive Leadership....
Enov8 DCT – The Data Control Tower
April, 2024 by Jane Temov. Author Jane Temov. Jane is a Senior Consultant at Enov8, where she specializes in products related to IT and Test Environment Management, Enterprise Release Management, and Test Data Management. Outside of her professional work, Jane...
What Is Release Management in ITIL? Guide and Best Practices
Read this detailed guide which covers release management in ITIL and best practices to plan, schedule, and control releases from end to end.
Understanding ERM versus SAFe
April, 2024 by Jane Temov. Author Jane Temov. Jane is a Senior Consultant at Enov8, where she specializes in products related to IT and Test Environment Management, Enterprise Release Management, and Test Data Management. Outside of her professional work, Jane...
Serverless Architectures: Benefits and Challenges
April, 2024 by Jane Temov. Author Jane Temov. Jane is a Senior Consultant at Enov8, where she specializes in products related to IT and Test Environment Management, Enterprise Release Management, and Test Data Management. Outside of her professional work, Jane enjoys...
The Crucial Role of Runsheets in Disaster Recovery
March, 2024 by Jane Temov. Author Jane Temov Jane Temov is an IT Environments Evangelist at Enov8, specializing in IT and Test Environment Management, Test Data Management, Data Security, Disaster Recovery, Release Management, Service Resilience, Configuration...