Ensuring ADMS Stability During the Holiday Season: The Role of a Well-Managed Change Freeze

The holiday season, while a time for celebration, poses significant challenges for ADMS support teams. With reduced availability of support personnel and the heightened need to maintain system stability, careful preparation becomes essential. One of the most effective strategies for navigating this critical period is implementing a change freeze – a planned halt on all non-critical system changes to reduce the risk of disruptions. 

However, executing a change freeze successfully requires more than just a pause in updates. It demands foresight, structured processes, and seamless communication. Let’s explore some common challenges and how Hantt & Co’s expert solutions can help you maintain system stability during the holidays.

Managing Last Minute Change Requests

It’s common to face last minute requests for updates or “urgent” modifications during a change freeze. While these may seem minor, even small adjustments can inadvertently cause system instability or outages. 

Solution: 

Establish clear criteria for what qualifies as “critical” changes well in advance. Form a change review board consisting of key stakeholders to evaluate proposed updates during the freeze. This ensures that only truly essential changes are approved, preserving the integrity of the freeze.

Defining ‘Critical’ Versus ‘Non-Critical’ Changes

Distinguishing critical changes from non-critical ones can be a grey area, leading to confusion or unnecessary modifications that weaken the freeze. 

Solution: 

Develop a request for change (RFC) framework with clear categories, such as regulatory compliance, security patches, or operationally critical fixes. Clear definitions prevent ambiguity and help teams prioritise appropriately. 

Ensuring System Readiness Before the Freeze

The stability of your ADMS system during a freeze hinges on thorough preparation. Discovering vulnerabilities or capacity issues after the freeze begins can lead to unnecessary risks. 

Solution: 

Conduct a comprehensive system audit several weeks before the freeze. Stress tests can help identify load-handling capacity and potential weak points. Validate your backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure a quick response to unexpected issues. Hantt & Co recommends involving cross-functional teams in readiness checks to cover all bases. 

Facilitating Clear Communication Across Teams

Miscommunication is one of the primary reasons a change freeze fails. Teams unaware of the freeze guidelines or procedures may inadvertently disrupt the process, leading to confusion or downtime. 

Solution: 

Host a cross-functional briefing before the freeze period begins. Clearly outline the duration of the freeze, the change request protocol, and the escalation process for emergencies. Regular check-ins or dedicated communication channels like Slack help keep all teams aligned throughout the freeze. 

5. Monitoring During the Freeze and Post-Freeze Recovery

Stability during a freeze doesn’t mean reduced vigilance. Continuous monitoring is essential to address any issues that arise. Once the freeze ends, a well-organized process is needed to manage the backlog of updates. 

Solution: 

Leverage advanced monitoring tools to detect early warning signs of system strain. Assign a dedicated rapid response team to handle critical incidents during the freeze. Post-freeze, prioritise deferred changes through a structured “change catch-up” plan to avoid overwhelming the system. 

Final Thoughts 

A well-planned change freeze is the cornerstone of maintaining ADMS stability during the holidays. With proactive preparation, effective communication, and robust monitoring, your systems can handle the seasonal challenges seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted operations. 

At Hantt & Co, we’ve helped ADMS operators navigate the complexities of change freezes and holiday readiness. Our expertise ensures that your systems remain stable, secure and prepared for peak periods. 

Need Support for Your Change Freeze? 

Talk to the experts! 

Hantt & Co specialises in guiding ADMS operators through successful change freeze implementations and holiday preparedness. Contact us today for tailored solutions to ensure your systems are ready to sail smoothly through the holiday season. 

Get in touch with us today info@hantt.co.nz