Ace Your Microsoft Dynamics Implementation Project: Here’s How

Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for project management. According to PMI, there are five phases to any successful project: initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing. Our consultants at BroadPoint are experts at the project management of ERP implementation. Our goal is to bring your implementation project in on-time and on-budget. Our proven methodology follows five steps for maximum project success.

1. Build on the Microsoft platform With some standalone applications, your choices are limited to configuring or customizing. When you choose Microsoft Dynamics 365, you're using a platform with which your team is already familiar. Microsoft's other productivity solutions enhance your ERP/CRM and allow you access to an infinitely robust overall business environment.

    

   You'll build your user experience around Microsoft's Unified Client Interface, which operates seamlessly on all your team's computers, tablets, and mobile devices. The powerful features in Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement can be leveraged to make the most of its out-of-the-box functionality and support your business processes. Where automation is required, exploit Power Platform's low-code and no-code capabilities for workflows, purpose-driven apps, and portals. Dynamics 365's PowerBI reporting and dashboards ensure that your entire environment meets both operational and strategic business needs.

2. Get everyone on the same team Creating a shared understanding of the rationale behind your software selection and its benefits for your business is crucial.  Having everyone on board is the first and one of the most important steps to managing project expectations. When users grasp how the new solution will help move your business toward your project goals, they will be more mindful about approving project requirements and doing their part to keep the implementation on track without scope-creep or added demands.
3. Have realistic expectations of the software, the budget, and the schedule
   Once your team understands and accepts the vision and expectations of the project, you can define the project's desired outcome. First, set realistic expectations regarding the scope, budget, and schedule. Communicate continuously about the status, issues, and risks associated with the project. Re-affirm expectations throughout the duration of the project with status reports, status meetings, and informal communications such as emails, memos, and check-ins. Finally, perform against the expectations and complete the project.
4. Maintain management commitment
   A key factor in the success of your Microsoft Dynamics 365 project is management buy-in. Lack of leadership commitment is a leading cause of project failure in general and implementation project failure in particular.  Managers should be included in project conversations from the start, throughout the implementation, and in follow-ups. Their support will help with user adoption and long-term success.
5. Participate in executive-level discourse

Project management is now part of the executive-level discourse, and good project managers will ensure the strategic value of their project is part of this conversation. Provide leaders with regular status updates regarding milestones reached and adherence to timelines. When management participates in the decision-making process and understands project progress, they will more likely support it.

Microsoft Dynamics 635 implementation is an opportunity for executives to obtain better tools that directly serve their strategic goals. Project managers should educate executives on the potential for Dynamics 365 to enrich their reporting and analytics through PowerBI and Dynamics 365 Machine Learning.

Showcasing the operational and strategic capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365/CRM can promote buy-in at all levels of the organization. But to be successful, your Dynamics 365/CRM implementation needs to follow a clearly defined path. Set expectations, communicate project goals, and ensure executive support for the best possible outcome.

Need guidance on a Dynamics 365 implementation project? Contact BroadPoint's seasoned Implementation team for a free consultation.

By BroadPoint, www.broadpoint.net