Cisco Methodology

Cisco uses the PPDIOO methodology. It stands for Prepare, Plan, Design, Implement, Operate and Optimise. PPDIOO defines the continuous life-cycle of services required for a network. The stages are as follows:

Prepare- This involves establishing the company requirements, creating and working on a network strategy.

Plan- This involves identifying initial network requirements based on aims, user requirements, etc. The project should line up alongside the scope, cost and resource boundaries.

Design- The design has been made to the current requirements of technology and business, therefore is the basis for the application progress.

Implement- The new additions or new products are integrated into the current design specification, aiming to be implemented without developing areas of weakness or disrupting the current network.

Operate- This is the final test of the suitability of the design. They test it by using the network to carry out everyday operations and making sure it maintains at the right performance levels and looking for any faults.

Optimise- This involves practical network management. The aim of this is to find and resolve any issues within the network before they affect it. If too many faults are discovered or the performance doesn’t meet requirements, a redesign may be prompted.