Introduction Microsoft has published project managment guidance on the appropriate way to manage an implementation of a Microsoft Dynamics software product (GP, NAV, AX, and CRM). This guidance is called the "Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Methodology" for managing implementations. Microsoft encourages partners to use the Sure Step Methodology by requiring Microsoft Dynamics partners to pass a certification exam proving that they understand the Sure Step methodology.
In addition to providing the methodology and framework, Microsoft has developed software to help you manage a project using Sure Step. This software walks you through the steps in managing a project and also contains a large number of templates in Word, Excel and Publisher to help you implement the methodology. You can obtain this software/templates in one of 2 ways:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/downloads/servicepacks/MSDSureStepdownloads.htm
Summary of the Methodology This is a summary of Microsoft's Sure Step methodology.
Typically, a Dynamics software implementation includes 6 project phases:
Here is a summary of each phase:
Phase 1 - Diagnostic Phase
This is the "sales" process, so this phase happens before the sale is complete. Optionally, you can use one of 7 Decision Accelerator offerings to help the client make decisions.
Key documents: Budget. Statement of Work.
Phase 2 - Analysis Phase
This happens after the sale is complete. The primary activity is reviewing the customer's business processes to understand requirements. You also build any sandbox and training environments at this phase.
Key documents: Functional Requirements Document. Project Plan. Phase 3 - Design Phase
Key steps:
Key documents: Functional Design Documents - Fits. Functional Design Documents - Gaps.
Each gap would have a Technical Design Document. Phase 4 - Development Phase
Key steps:
Key documents: Training Plan. Phase 5 - Deployment Phase
Final prep before go-live:
Key documents: Phase 6 - Operations Phase
Go-live support and final completion. Migrating the client to "support mode".
For larger implementations:
Key documents: |
Dynamics GP >