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Microsoft dynamics implementation

Microsoft Dynamics Implementation, Methodology, and a Project plan

By Shalu Malik / March 1, 2021

February 22, 2022
Microsoft Dynamics Implementation, Methodology, and a Project plan

Many businesses today don’t have clarity in their operations or data which results in inadequate response to challenges and critical situations as they emerge. Consider an example, sometimes companies dive into any project without actually knowing what they want. This becomes uncertain and problematic because during this time the system integrator may take over and you get stuck striving to make decisions while the meter is running.

This leads to frustration and your team employees may ask you, why you were even trying to implement something without any plan for it. That is why it’s essential to plan what you want and what you expect before you start any digital transformation project. 

For a prosperous and successful Microsoft Dynamics implementation methodology, you require structured project management and complete transparency. If you want to streamline your Dynamics 365 projects, you must combine methodology, quantifiable progress metrics, and best practices, into a single solution.  

You should start with the Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan from day one that includes best practices, speed, and quality, a proven, structured implementation methodology to keep your Dynamics 365 project on track. This article will help you in planning a successful CRM implementation, let's begin! 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step methodology

When we look at the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology, we need to outline components that are important to understand, which can make or break your project. By understanding these components in the methodology, we can understand what we need to do further in the project.

Microsoft dynamics implementation
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step Methodology
[embedimage]

1) Find out the important goals 

The very initial step of any project for any organization is the recognition of significant success factors as goals that support the project forward. By enlisting these success factors, you can also decide that a particular component is required, and it should be included or not. To plan your purpose, you need to identify the scope of your project.

Begin by deciding which processes will be supported by the software and which teams within your business will be using Dynamics 365. You also need to carefully evaluate the time and cost of your Microsoft D365 project. All these key factors can help you understand your company’s needs and help in better overall planning. 

2) Evaluate current systems and tools 

Most of the time the reason behind Dynamics 365 implementation failure is because of older, outdated systems, programs being built on obsolete programming languages, and half-heartedly integrated application sites. You can have a better understanding of what your organization needs in terms of an ERP system by taking note of the current systems, databases, etc. that you have.

Implementing Dynamics 365 is an excellent opportunity for your company to migrate data over and get the latest system upgrades. So, the main reasons for failed implementations are delays and waste due to a misunderstanding of a company’s current systems. 

3) Understand and Learn Microsoft Dynamics 365 functionalities 

You must be aware of all the functionalities before you begin with the implementation of this software you must learn about all its functionalities. This software gets constant updates from Microsoft, so there’s a high chance of missing out on some modern settings if you don’t stay updated. Understanding the software is additionally important and will help you when it comes to customization as well. 

4) Technical and Functional Design 

Technical design is a collection of workshops that you should start for the process of documenting the complexities of modern tools and how you are going to implement Dynamics 365 against them. System integrations, data migrations, clean-up ETL tools, data quality, and more are the core of these design sessions for technical components in Dynamics 365 implementation. 

Functional Design is another most critical session for the implementation of Dynamics 365. We use this to work through process design, business processes, training, and creating detailed information about how we are going to implement everything that users use. 

5) Create a good group to initiate the project 

The most suitable leader for any project is the one who can use the best skills and knowledge of everyone involved to accomplish the project’s goals. It requires a lot of time, knowledge, and skill to perfectly implement Dynamics 365 and you need to put together a team that can balance these tasks by working collectively with proper coordination to make the project work.  

6) Implementation and Testing  

This is the most critical part, and the actual work is done in this phase. During this section, you should finally implement the things planned and decided.  

Once you have gone through the implementation phase, now it’s time to start the process of testing. This is done through the multi-point inspection of each crucial function. From here, we move towards a standard UAT and UX/UI process for every sprint to assure the highest quality and that there are no production issues. 

7) Hire the right Microsoft Dynamics system integrator 

Selecting an appropriate technical system integrator is a significant decision for any digital transformation. You need to brainstorm with your team members and others on how to find and pick the best system integrator for your Dynamic 365 project.

Because the correct Dynamics system integrator can break or make a project. There are both types available out there, great integrators and very weak ones. You need to choose the ones that are the best fit for you – not the ones that Microsoft might suggest.   

The essential thing is that you understand that you have lots of options and take your time to find the most suitable system integrator as part of your Dynamics 365 implementation readiness process. It becomes difficult when your system integrator doesn’t have the competencies and focus to understand what is required to get the task done. This has become one of the biggest challenges of today i.e. getting an accurate system integrator while implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365. 

Also, Read: Microsoft Power Platform vs. Dynamics 365 for mid-sized businesses

Project Plan: 

Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan
Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan
[embedimage]

A Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan is the roadmap for leading teams through all the activities required for a successful implementation. 

Part 1: Recognize the Known Parts of Your Plan 

The first part refers to the project's planning documentation, which includes, contract, scope plan or statement of work, resource, quality, risk, and financial plans to know the following: 

1) Deliverables list: 

Here you need to choose what to have, and what is not needed. Setting the boundaries is critical for a successful CRM implementation.  

2) Make existing systems a part of the project 

  • Data processing, email, ERP, current CRM system, and document storage.
  • CRM team, developers, and testers, business analysts, solution architects. 
  • Business resources: steering committees, stakeholders, and end-users. 
  • External resources: Microsoft support teams, consultants, and vendors. 

3) Data Analysis 

  • Estimates for data integration work and data migration. 
  • Data load times. 

4) Required Processes  

  • Change request process 
  • Contract approval 
  • Accounting and financial requirements 
  • Procurement process 

5) Budget Information 

  • Hourly resource rates. 
  • Software licensing fees. 
  • Constraints, not-to-exceed amounts. 
  • Hardware costs. 
  • Vendor fees. 
  • CRM costs for software, services, and support.

6) Target Dates for the CRM Implementation 

  • Kick-off date 
  • Training dates 
  • Go-live dates 

Part 2: Build Your Plan 

You need to open Microsoft Project and start a new project. It is an excellent idea to let Microsoft Project manage the scheduling. Before adding any tasks to the project plan, verify that Auto Scheduling is chosen for new tasks. Breaking down the tasks for every phase becomes easier if you have a lifecycle structure to work within.

Part 3: Communicating Plan 

Communication of the plan is certainly important for the success of the project. If nobody knows and understands what’s going on in the project, then the plan won’t lead anywhere. This may delay the project.

Part 4: Follow Your Roadmap 

It may look overwhelming to create an MS Project Plan for your CRM implementation but making a simple MS Project plan that drives activities for your team will lead to a successful CRM implementation. Remember, once your implementation is finished, you're going to need some education and training.

Also, Read- PowerApps integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Online

Some essential points to consider, that can be applied to any ERP implementation: 

  • A clear project vision and digital strategy is an essential requirement to a successful implementation.
  • Your project will fail without proper training, communications, and organizational change management.
  • Too much customization.
  • Controls and Project governance are crucial

Conclusion: Grow your Microsoft Dynamics 365 with proper planning 

Dynamics 365 Implementations can be complex! Today, we observe that a lot of ERP implementation projects fail and the reason that we think is the solution failure. But they fail because the people involved in it made poor planning and did not support the project every step of the way.

You need to understand your software and take a considerable amount of time to implement it, only then you can ensure that your Microsoft Dynamics implementation goes smooth.  

Understanding the lacking components to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step Methodology is essential for your project’s success. Feel free to contact us to arrange some time to chat with one of our Microsoft Dynamics 365 consultants – as always, we are here to give you any advice you need. 

[sc name="Dynamics 365"] [apss_share] [add_related_page_diff_contents blog_cat = "Microsoft Dynamics"] [add_newsletter]

Many businesses today don’t have clarity in their operations or data which results in inadequate response to challenges and critical situations as they emerge. Consider an example, sometimes companies dive into any project without actually knowing what they want. This becomes uncertain and problematic because during this time the system integrator may take over and you get stuck striving to make decisions while the meter is running.

This leads to frustration and your team employees may ask you, why you were even trying to implement something without any plan for it. That is why it’s essential to plan what you want and what you expect before you start any digital transformation project. 

For a prosperous and successful Microsoft Dynamics implementation methodology, you require structured project management and complete transparency. If you want to streamline your Dynamics 365 projects, you must combine methodology, quantifiable progress metrics, and best practices, into a single solution.  

You should start with the Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan from day one that includes best practices, speed, and quality, a proven, structured implementation methodology to keep your Dynamics 365 project on track. This article will help you in planning a successful CRM implementation, let’s begin! 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step methodology

When we look at the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology, we need to outline components that are important to understand, which can make or break your project. By understanding these components in the methodology, we can understand what we need to do further in the project.

Microsoft dynamics implementation
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step Methodology
Copy Infographic
×

1) Find out the important goals 

The very initial step of any project for any organization is the recognition of significant success factors as goals that support the project forward. By enlisting these success factors, you can also decide that a particular component is required, and it should be included or not. To plan your purpose, you need to identify the scope of your project.

Begin by deciding which processes will be supported by the software and which teams within your business will be using Dynamics 365. You also need to carefully evaluate the time and cost of your Microsoft D365 project. All these key factors can help you understand your company’s needs and help in better overall planning. 

2) Evaluate current systems and tools 

Most of the time the reason behind Dynamics 365 implementation failure is because of older, outdated systems, programs being built on obsolete programming languages, and half-heartedly integrated application sites. You can have a better understanding of what your organization needs in terms of an ERP system by taking note of the current systems, databases, etc. that you have.

Implementing Dynamics 365 is an excellent opportunity for your company to migrate data over and get the latest system upgrades. So, the main reasons for failed implementations are delays and waste due to a misunderstanding of a company’s current systems. 

3) Understand and Learn Microsoft Dynamics 365 functionalities 

You must be aware of all the functionalities before you begin with the implementation of this software you must learn about all its functionalities. This software gets constant updates from Microsoft, so there’s a high chance of missing out on some modern settings if you don’t stay updated. Understanding the software is additionally important and will help you when it comes to customization as well. 

4) Technical and Functional Design 

Technical design is a collection of workshops that you should start for the process of documenting the complexities of modern tools and how you are going to implement Dynamics 365 against them. System integrations, data migrations, clean-up ETL tools, data quality, and more are the core of these design sessions for technical components in Dynamics 365 implementation. 

Functional Design is another most critical session for the implementation of Dynamics 365. We use this to work through process design, business processes, training, and creating detailed information about how we are going to implement everything that users use. 

5) Create a good group to initiate the project 

The most suitable leader for any project is the one who can use the best skills and knowledge of everyone involved to accomplish the project’s goals. It requires a lot of time, knowledge, and skill to perfectly implement Dynamics 365 and you need to put together a team that can balance these tasks by working collectively with proper coordination to make the project work.  

6) Implementation and Testing  

This is the most critical part, and the actual work is done in this phase. During this section, you should finally implement the things planned and decided.  

Once you have gone through the implementation phase, now it’s time to start the process of testing. This is done through the multi-point inspection of each crucial function. From here, we move towards a standard UAT and UX/UI process for every sprint to assure the highest quality and that there are no production issues. 

7) Hire the right Microsoft Dynamics system integrator 

Selecting an appropriate technical system integrator is a significant decision for any digital transformation. You need to brainstorm with your team members and others on how to find and pick the best system integrator for your Dynamic 365 project.

Because the correct Dynamics system integrator can break or make a project. There are both types available out there, great integrators and very weak ones. You need to choose the ones that are the best fit for you – not the ones that Microsoft might suggest.   

The essential thing is that you understand that you have lots of options and take your time to find the most suitable system integrator as part of your Dynamics 365 implementation readiness process. It becomes difficult when your system integrator doesn’t have the competencies and focus to understand what is required to get the task done. This has become one of the biggest challenges of today i.e. getting an accurate system integrator while implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365. 

Also, Read: Microsoft Power Platform vs. Dynamics 365 for mid-sized businesses

Project Plan: 

Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan
Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan
Copy Infographic
×

A Microsoft dynamics implementation project plan is the roadmap for leading teams through all the activities required for a successful implementation. 

Part 1: Recognize the Known Parts of Your Plan 

The first part refers to the project’s planning documentation, which includes, contract, scope plan or statement of work, resource, quality, risk, and financial plans to know the following: 

1) Deliverables list: 

Here you need to choose what to have, and what is not needed. Setting the boundaries is critical for a successful CRM implementation.  

2) Make existing systems a part of the project 

  • Data processing, email, ERP, current CRM system, and document storage.
  • CRM team, developers, and testers, business analysts, solution architects. 
  • Business resources: steering committees, stakeholders, and end-users. 
  • External resources: Microsoft support teams, consultants, and vendors. 

3) Data Analysis 

  • Estimates for data integration work and data migration. 
  • Data load times. 

4) Required Processes  

  • Change request process 
  • Contract approval 
  • Accounting and financial requirements 
  • Procurement process 

5) Budget Information 

  • Hourly resource rates. 
  • Software licensing fees. 
  • Constraints, not-to-exceed amounts. 
  • Hardware costs. 
  • Vendor fees. 
  • CRM costs for software, services, and support.

6) Target Dates for the CRM Implementation 

  • Kick-off date 
  • Training dates 
  • Go-live dates 

Part 2: Build Your Plan 

You need to open Microsoft Project and start a new project. It is an excellent idea to let Microsoft Project manage the scheduling. Before adding any tasks to the project plan, verify that Auto Scheduling is chosen for new tasks. Breaking down the tasks for every phase becomes easier if you have a lifecycle structure to work within.

Part 3: Communicating Plan 

Communication of the plan is certainly important for the success of the project. If nobody knows and understands what’s going on in the project, then the plan won’t lead anywhere. This may delay the project.

Part 4: Follow Your Roadmap 

It may look overwhelming to create an MS Project Plan for your CRM implementation but making a simple MS Project plan that drives activities for your team will lead to a successful CRM implementation. Remember, once your implementation is finished, you’re going to need some education and training.

Also, Read- PowerApps integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Online

Some essential points to consider, that can be applied to any ERP implementation: 

  • A clear project vision and digital strategy is an essential requirement to a successful implementation.
  • Your project will fail without proper training, communications, and organizational change management.
  • Too much customization.
  • Controls and Project governance are crucial

Conclusion: Grow your Microsoft Dynamics 365 with proper planning 

Dynamics 365 Implementations can be complex! Today, we observe that a lot of ERP implementation projects fail and the reason that we think is the solution failure. But they fail because the people involved in it made poor planning and did not support the project every step of the way.

You need to understand your software and take a considerable amount of time to implement it, only then you can ensure that your Microsoft Dynamics implementation goes smooth.  

Understanding the lacking components to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step Methodology is essential for your project’s success. Feel free to contact us to arrange some time to chat with one of our Microsoft Dynamics 365 consultants – as always, we are here to give you any advice you need. 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Consulting

Cynoteck Technology is a leading expert on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and we provide an array of Dynamics 365 Consulting Services to all size of businesses. Get in touch with us for latest updates on Dynamics 365.



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