Managing parallel development can be very simple and easy if one adheres to the guidelines listed below:
· Create separate environments for each parallel thread of development.
· Document all changes in a central change-tracking tool and assign each a unique reference number.
· When modifying source ensure that this source is mod marked to cross-refer to the change reference.
· Generate weekly reports to identify new items, those items that have changed in one release only and those that have changed in both releases.
· Set the synchronisation and retrofitting point as high in the life cycle as possible. End of system test is a good point.
· On a weekly basis generate reports to identify the level of parallel development
· On a weekly basis copy new items from the current release to the next.
· On a weekly basis copy items that have changed in the current release only.
· On a weekly basis retrofit changes that have to items that have been modified in both releases.