This strategy focuses on upgrading school devices to Windows 11 before July 22nd, aiming to include devices used by teachers, the staff admin team, and students. It begins with an inventory assessment, identifying devices running Windows 10 and categorizing them by user groups. For example, the strategy emphasizes evaluating technical specifications to ensure compatibility, creating a list of eligible devices, and highlighting those needing hardware upgrades. This proactive step ensures a smooth workflow and prepares for necessary administrative authorizations.
A phased upgrade plan follows, prioritizing critical users like the admin team and key teaching staff. The strategy aims to minimize disruption by scheduling upgrades by user group, with allocated IT resources to maintain the July 22nd deadline. Backup procedures and communication of the upgrade plan are crucial. For instance, the strategy includes setting up a centralized support team and creating a contingency plan to address potential delays.
The final part involves providing training and support for users, such as developing training materials, organizing sessions, and creating an online help center. This ensures all users, including staff and students, are acquainted with Windows 11 features. The strategy highlights the importance of collecting user feedback and offering continuous support to ensure a smooth transition.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Conduct an inventory assessment
- Identify all devices currently running Windows 10 in the school
- Categorise devices based on user groups: teachers, admin team, and students
- Check technical specifications of each device to ensure compatibility with Windows 11
- Create a list of devices eligible for upgrade
- Identify devices that may require hardware upgrades before upgrading
- Schedule time for assessment of devices requiring physical checks
- Evaluate the software installed on devices for compatibility with Windows 11
- Document any licensing considerations or requirements
- Compile a report of findings and necessary actions for review
- Secure administrative buy-in with the report for further actions
⛳️ Strategy 2: Develop a phased upgrade plan
- Plan upgrade phases based on user groups to minimise disruption
- Prioritise critical users such as the admin team and key teaching staff
- Schedule specific dates and times for each group’s upgrades
- Allocate IT resources and personnel for each upgrade phase
- Prepare a timeline for each phase maintaining the July 22nd deadline
- Establish backup procedures to prevent data loss before upgrading
- Communicate the upgrade plan to all users including timelines and expectations
- Set up a centralised support team to assist with upgrade-related queries
- Create a contingency plan for potential delays or issues
- Evaluate progress at each phase to ensure timelines are maintained
⛳️ Strategy 3: Provide training and support for users
- Develop training materials highlighting changes from Windows 10 to Windows 11
- Organise training sessions for staff and students with tailored content per group
- Create an online help centre with FAQs and troubleshooting guides
- Offer drop-in support sessions throughout the upgrade process
- Ensure IT staff are trained on support and troubleshooting for Windows 11
- Circulate guides on optimising device performance with Windows 11 features
- Collect feedback from early upgrade participants to refine support materials
- Implement a tracking system for user-reported issues
- Provide ongoing support after upgrades to ensure smooth transition
- Regularly update the school community on the progress of the rollout
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
