What is a Big Bang Adoption?

A big bang adoption is a large scale change that occurs all at once. The term tends to be used in a negative sense that implies a high risk attempt at instantaneous change.

Thinking Big

It is common for programs and projects to be conducted by gathering as many requirements as can be found, implementing and launching. This may be done without consideration of alternatives such as a series of far smaller releases. One of the reasons that this occurs is that attempts at prioritization become meaningless when business units rank all requirements as must-have.

Risks

Complexity tends to correlate with project failure. In theory, it is possible to develop a highly complex project and release it without problems but this is somewhat rare in the real world. The risks associated with complexity include user rejection, integration failures and data issues. For example, a system may be launched that doesn't reflect the realities of business processes, requiring workarounds that make the system unpopular with users.

Alternatives

Big bang adoptions are necessary in some industries. It is difficult to build a bridge incrementally. Technology projects can often be built out incrementally with methods such as agile development. Another alternative is a parallel launch whereby existing infrastructure, facilities, products, services or systems remain available while changes are production hardened in a limited launch.

Overview: Big Bang Adoption
Type	Change Management Project Management Program Management
Definition	Implementing large scale changes all at once.
Risk	Potentially represents a greater risk than incremental change.
Related Concepts	Project Failure Agile Methodologies Change Management Project Management