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Release Strategy
A BSC Systems Release is a coordinated implementation of a number of changes to
CVA, SVA BSC and FAA Systems and the Data Transfer Catalogue (or a combination
thereof). It should be noted that Releases may not always include software
changes.
The key reasons for adopting this approach are to optimise the efficiency of
ELEXON’s administration, reduce costs and to minimise the impact on the
industry. The systems and documents covered by BSC Systems Releases are listed
in the Baseline Statement.
The BSC Systems Release Strategy was agreed by the BSC Panel 2003 and revised
in November 2005. The key elements of the strategy are summarised below.
Release Dates
There are 3 BSC Systems Releases each year. There is normally a single implementation date for each Release; usually the last Thursday in February and June and the first Thursday in November. All CVA, SVA, FAA and Data Transfer Catalogue (DTC) changes will be implemented on the Release Date.
In exceptional circumstances, approved Modifications or Change Proposals may be delivered via a Special Release – which is a Release that does not conform to the Release Strategy – P197 and P207 are recent examples of Special Releases.
The planned release dates for the next three years are:
|
Year |
February Release |
June Release |
November Release |
| 2008 |
28 February |
26 June |
6 November |
| 2009 |
26 February * |
25 June * |
5 November |
| 2010 |
25 February |
24 June |
4 November |
*Due to the implementation of Project Isis, it is unlikely that any changes to CVA or FAA Systems will be scheduled for the February 09 Release, or that any changes to SVA Systems will be scheduled for the June 09 Release.
A planned Release will not take place if there are no approved Modifications or Change Proposals to implement.
If a small number of Change Proposals are scheduled for inclusion in a Release but there is no business case for implementing that Release, the Release will not take place and the changes will be implemented in the next appropriate Release.
Management and Governance
Each Release is managed by an ELEXON Release Manager and is directed by the BSC
Systems Programme Board, which includes industry representatives and ELEXON
Change and Operational management. The current BSC Systems Programme Board
members are:
| Chris Rowell / Peter Davies |
Chair / Executive |
|
Richard Hartley (Npower) |
Senior SVA User |
| Tim Johnson (E. on UK) |
Senior CVA User |
| John Sykes (Scottish & Southern) |
Senior User |
|
Mark Couldrick |
Senior User ELEXON Operations |
| Alex Grieve (ELEXON) |
Senior Supplier |
The BSC Systems Programme Board terms of reference which detail the
responsibilities of the Programme Board is available to download from the
related documents menu on the right of this page.
Communication with the Industry
Distinct industry interfaces are maintained for CVA and SVA changes.
Under delegated authority from the BSC Panel, the Supplier Volume Allocation
Group (SVG) approves SVA Change Proposals and amended SVA configurable items
and the Imbalance Settlement Group (ISG) approves CVA Change Proposals and
amended CVA configurable items. The details of the configurable items owned by
each BSC Panel committee are included in the
Baseline Statement. Distinct CVA and SVA distribution lists are
maintained for the industry review of amended Code Subsidiary Documents (CSDs)
and other configurable items.
CVA
Change Circulars have replaced CVA Programme Circulars, although the
numbering of the Change Circulars will continue using the existing sequence
(the last CVA Programme Circular was number 190 and the first CVA Change
Circular was number 191).
Similarly,
SVA Change Circulars have replaced SVA Programme Circulars; the first
SVA Change Circular is number 72.
The Business Requirements Solution document(s), Test Strategy and Key dates for
each Release will be published within this section of the website. All amended
configurable items will also be published once they are ready for industry
review and will be updated as necessary.
Other information regarding the progress of Releases and any significant
updates to the Releases on the website will be notified to the industry via
ELEXON Newscast.
Select an option from the menu alongside to view details of a specific planned
Release; Implemented Releases and Change Circulars.
Contact
To contact the Change Implementation Team regarding CVA changes, email
cvachanges@elexon.co.uk.
To contact the Change Implementation Team regarding SVA changes, email
svachanges@elexon.co.uk.