An administrator successfully tested software in a testing environment. What should be done next before moving it into production?

Implementing any software change in a production environment requires careful planning to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption. Scheduling system downtime is crucial. This step allows for a designated period where the system can be taken offline to safely deploy the new software. It helps to ensure that users are aware of when the system will be unavailable and that they can plan their activities around this downtime.

Additionally, scheduling downtime allows for the risk of potential issues that might arise during the implementation to be managed effectively, minimizing the impact on business operations. By communicating scheduled downtime in advance, the organization can prepare for any contingencies and ensure that all necessary resources are available for a smooth rollout.

While identifying necessary updates, documenting changes, and implementing changes are important tasks as well, they are typically handled during the planning phase leading up to the deployment or concurrently with it. However, without scheduling and communicating the downtime, the actual implementation may lead to user disruption and operational issues.