CTP Coordination between Prod, Test and Dev

We utilize a standard change control process. We put patches into DEV for individual unit testing, once successful and email or documentation of the successful test, allows us to put in CERT for integrated testing. Sign off there allows for a IT ticket to be entered to track the change to the system. This IT ticket ties the testing results to the change for audit purposes.

“what if the CTP (procurement) is applied in test per user request but the user doesn’t have time to test it right away, so it sits in test untested. And another CTP for a different suite (like PR) is needed in test. Do they allow the users a certain amount of time to test and then if not tested by the end of that time, the CTP is uninstalled?”

We have taken the approach of letting it sit. We have mulitple product lines in DEV so they don't impact each others unit testing.

We try to coordinate in that manner, then in CERT (our pre-production integrated test productline) we do patch preview, send out the changes that need to be validated to all. If they can't agree on the timing, them we escalate to the directors of each area to determine timing. We will uninstall in CERT if it will not match PROD for an extended period of time.

I should say DEV and CERT are different LPARS which also lets us do the same type of testing with ESS/RSS changes