Mastering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Implementations

Introduction xxvii
 
Chapter 1 * Stages of an Implementation Overview 1
 
What Is Microsoft Dynamics? 1
 
The Client Journey 2
 
Implementation Methodologies 5
 
Waterfall and Sure Step 5
 
Agile and Scrum 7
 
Triple Constraints 8
 
The Bottom Line 9
 
Chapter 2 * What to Do Before You Begin a Project 11
 
Identify Your Project Team and Stakeholders 11
 
Executive Sponsor 12
 
Project Owner 12
 
Business Process Owner(s) 13
 
Project Manager 13
 
Core Team and a Core Team Lead 14
 
Subject Matter Experts 14
 
IT Resources 15
 
Time Commitment by Role 17
 
Identify Your Processes in Scope 18
 
Clean Up Your Data 19
 
Identify Your "Master" Data 19
 
Develop Naming Conventions 20
 
Identify System Owners 20
 
Find and Resolve Duplicates and Incorrect Data 20
 
Define Your Success Metrics 21
 
Possible Benefits 22
 
Building Your Business Case and Securing Funding 23
 
How Much Should an ERP Project Cost? 24
 
Costs to Include in Your Calculations 24
 
Capitalizing Costs 25
 
Contingency 27
 
Return on Investment (ROI) 27
 
Gaining Approval 28
 
The Bottom Line 29
 
Chapter 3 * Four Keys to Consider When Buying an ERP or CRM Solution 31
 
Selection Process 31
 
Selection Consultant 32
 
Decision Maker 33
 
The Four Keys 33
 
Fit 34
 
Platform 35
 
Implementer 39
 
Cost 41
 
Building Your Scorecard 44
 
The Bottom Line 45
 
Chapter 4 * How to Evaluate and Buy Business Application Software 47
 
Buying Process Steps 47
 
Qualification Stage 48
 
Discovery and Demonstration Stage 49
 
Selecting Your Vendor 51
 
Leadership or Board Approval 54
 
Moving Forward 54
 
The Bottom Line 54
 
Chapter 5 *

Eric Newell is the Co-Founder and CEO of Stoneridge Software, a Microsoft Gold Partner, focused on Dynamics. Prior to founding Stoneridge, he worked at Microsoft for 13 years in Dynamics-related roles including support engineer, IT lead for support systems, Technical Account Manager and as a Premier Field Engineering team leader. He frequently presents on topics related to implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365, and has spoken at Microsoft conferences over a dozen times. He has served as a project management trainer at Microsoft as well as local universities.