What is the best way to test system changes at scale without interupting services?

I initially set up my own Zoho instance after working with it for the first time for a company I'm contracted to assist. I wanted to perform a simple operation, such as CRM/Desk sync but wanted to be able to put a project plan together with time and service impacts. This has seemed like quite a task and I would have enjoyed a much simpler process to showcase this product to management; being able to both put technical and logical concerns at rest.