Alpha Milestone

Objectives of this Checklist

General checklist

• Update the schedule.
• All components on which the project depends have reached Alpha.
• Third-party dependencies are integrated and fully functional.
• Perform a risk analysis and create action plans for all issues.
• Identify and document all Alpha exceptions with action plans for resolution.
• Perform usability testing defined in the Usability Plan.
• Update the Product Requirements document.
• Update the Project Folder.

After Alpha Approval:

• Update the R&D Project and Corporate Product Calendars
• Notify Manufacturing that Alpha is achieved
• The Product Team documents a list of improvements and deviations from the Product Life Cycle.

Development checklist

• The product is fully functional.
• The feature set is frozen.
• An installable version is available.
• Complete and distribute the FPS updates.
• The product matches the FPS.
• Perform a complete pass of unit testing.
• List all files that will be distributed as part of the product.
• Complete design documentation.
• Hold all design and code reviews discussed in the Development Plan.
• Specify system requirements, including memory usage, disk space, supported peripherals, and configurations.
• Estimate sizes of the program files.

Publications checklist

• Complete the Alpha documentation.
• Schedule the review of the Alpha documentation.
• The flow of help is complete, although not all the help text may be present.
• Estimate the sizes of the sample and tutorial files.
• Perform usability testing on the documentation.

SQA checklist

• Complete all test procedures.
• Update the Defect Prediction Model.
• Compile a Defect Summary.
• Verify that the product meets the Alpha entry criteria defined in the Quality Plan.
• Validate the product against the updated FPS and the Product Requirements document.
• Integrate version acceptance testing into the build process.
• SQA and Development approve the test procedures.
• Review and update all criteria for future milestones in the Quality Plan.
• Compile product performance benchmarks.

International checklist

• Complete and test a mock translation.
• Prepare translation kits.
• Update and review the localization schedules.
• Update and review the schedule for releasing documentation for translation.

Support checklist

• Update and review the Support Plan.

Alpha Approval

Project Code Name

Product Name

Version

Recommendation Signatures

• This project has achieved Alpha.

Date:______________

Project Manager	________________________________________
Product Manager	________________________________________
SQA Manager	________________________________________
Publications Manager	________________________________________
International R&D Manager	________________________________________
Support Representative	________________________________________
[other signature lines.]	________________________________________

Approval Signatures

• We agree, this project has achieved Alpha.

Date:______________

Development Director	________________________________________
Quality Director	________________________________________
Publications Director	________________________________________
International R&D Director	________________________________________
Executive Staff	________________________________________
[other signature lines.]	________________________________________