The Software_development_process and Software_development_methodology are a good places to start understanding how software development happens.

Software_testing  gives a good explanation of testing.

Organizations often run three or four different environments for software development.

Development is where developers make and change software.

Testing is where the software it checked.

Production is where the software interacts with actual, real-world situations.

Pilots can be used to check the software with a small number of uses in production. These users use the software in their normal work. They are closely monitored to ensure everything is working correctly. If the pilot is successful, the software is opened up for all users. The system is now fully operational for all staff.

A closed pilot is where the only a very few users are involved. They are usually very familiar with the existing software. Sometime the software is re-installed after this pilot is completed.

An open pilot is where the there a larger number of users who use represent all areas of the organization who use the software. Usually after this pilot, the software us used by all users of the software.

Training is where the people learn how to use the software.

Depending on the organization and the software in question, different lifecycle components are used. This is often determined by the level of risk.

For the Windows 7 software lifecycle at Data#3, the risk assessment returned as low. As a result only closed and open pilots and production will be conducted.

Windows 7 RC1 (Release Candidate 1) will be used with a closed pilot. These workstations will be rebuilt after the closed pilot.

Windows 7 RTM (Release to Manufacture) will be used with the open pilot.