What is the term for starting a system conversion with a portion of end users?

The term for starting a system conversion with a portion of end users is pilot conversion. This approach allows a limited subset of end users to begin using the new system before a full-scale rollout. By implementing the system in a controlled environment, organizations can assess its functionality, gather user feedback, and make adjustments as needed. The pilot conversion serves as a test case that can identify potential issues in a smaller group, making it easier and less costly to troubleshoot problems before the entire organization transitions to the new system.

In contrast to pilot conversion, other methods such as direct conversion involve a complete switch to the new system at once, which carries higher risks. Parallel conversion runs both the old and new systems simultaneously for a time, which can be resource-intensive. Phased conversion entails implementing the new system in stages, affecting different user groups or functionalities over time, but does not specifically start with a pilot program. Each of these methods has its own advantages and considerations, but pilot conversion specifically targets a controlled initial implementation for a limited user base.