Sure-Step Methodology
The Sure-Step Methodology is a comprehensive client engagement methodology – outlining the best practice processes necessary to implement Microsoft Dynamics solutions.
It is an end-to-end customer life cycle which describes the standardised processes and disciplines necessary to implement Dynamics solutions. Sure Step is structured as a general methodology with a product-specific layer for each Dynamics product, providing guideline and best practices to help successfully implement Microsoft Dynamics solutions.
The methodology can be adapted and applied to different project types:
Single site solutions requiring specific features and moderate-to-complex customisations.
Characterised by a limited scope, where basic application features are desired and/or the majority of business processes are not considered as complex.
Complex single-site deployments, or multi-site organisations where unique business needs have to be factored on top of a core solution.
Iterative implementation approach at a single site requiring specific features and moderate-to-complex customisations.
The approach to progress an existing Microsoft Dynamics solution to a subsequent release of that solution.
Sure-Step Methodology benefits – placing you in control
- Improve predictability – the methodology involves several phases which can be monitored by the customer. As all modifications can be validated by the customer, the customer has full transparency that the implementation is delivered based on the assumptions agreed.
- Faster implementation times — the Sure Step model provides tools, templates and best practices which cover all aspects of projects to increase consistency, timeframes, quality and success of projects.
- Reduced costs – with the structured transparent approach, where issues are communicated and addressed efficiently, it allows for a faster project completion with minimal risk and a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).
SureStep Methodology Phases
Diagnostics represents the pre-sales phase of the project. The main goals of the Diagnostics phase are to define the project scope, get a definition of the global project budget, conduct a high level FIT/GAP analysis and put together a high level solution architecture and design for the project.
The main deliverable of the Diagnostics phase is a detailed proposal for the overall project implementation, detailing all required licence and services costs.
The Analysis phase of the project represents the official start of the implementation. We begin this process by compiling together a Fit Gap analysis spreadsheet, matching your business’s requirements with Dynamics’ functionality and identifying any gaps where customisation is needed. Off the back of this work, our team will then put together a functional requirements document that helps us develop detailed requirements by role and function. To set expectations and keep the project on track, we capture milestones, accountabilities and roles within a central project plan.
In this phase, we also put together a series of communications and training plans, helping us establish communication channels and types of training for different stakeholders within your business. Our team will also put together a future state business workflow, stating how your core business processes will be accomplished with your new solution.
In the Design phase, we will configure the solution and design customisations needed to perfectly meet your business’s requirements. Using proven management institute processes, we will identify, work though and avoid any risks or issues. We will also create test scripts by role and function, to ensure the solution meets your critical business process requirements. Following this, we will map out the process that will be used to migrate the data from your current solution to your new solution.
In the Development phase of your project, your complete solution will be built and configured. We will firstly determine security roles in your company, and discuss the different types of access to specific functionality the people in your business require. We will then determine the detailed settings for all system configuration screens, and then complete any customisations you need to meet your unique requirements.
Following this, we then ensure we conduct acceptance training, to make sure your business is happy with its new system, and then begin to plan detailed process and timing of data migration to your new solution.
All of our teamwork comes together in the Deployment phase, making the transition to your new Microsoft Dynamics solution. We firstly conduct some end user training to prepare all your business’s employees who will be using the new solution, and then prepare final system readiness, planning for the go-live. Our system of final acceptance testing ensures all of your business’s requirements are met allowing us to determine specific timing of go-live cut-over and ensure all system data is migrated to the new solution.
We then move into the official go-live, when you’ll be running totally on your new solution.
In the Operation phase, we’ll close the project and identify any ongoing support and transition assistance you’ll need. The first instance will be to provide continuing post go-live support in the month after initial go-live. The next stage will be to review deliverables against the statement of work and close out the project. We will then establish an ongoing and testing strategy, and conduct a disaster recovery test for security purposes.
