We start by establishing a Project Governance Framework. This enables clear accountability, structured decision-making, and helps keep a project aligned with the strategic goals from start to finish.

From my experience, following an agile approach for a Dynamics 365 CRM implementation is encouraged. An agile approach recognises that user expectations and process improvements emerge when stakeholders get early access.

In other words, being agile means we’re able to adapt to change quickly—but it’s also important to stay aligned with the strategic goals set out in your vision, which are reinforced by a strong project governance framework.

Next, introduce Technical Governance and Standards across the project to help drive efficiencies, quality and synergies across the technical landscape.

The best example of how I have managed to achieve this is through our established Technical Design Authority (TDA) within Telefónica Tech. Our TDA focusses on employing consistent technical standards across all the projects we deliver, in line with both Microsoft best practices and our industry experience across all verticals.

This approach has helped us ensure we introduce efficiencies within our designs, deliver to a high-quality standard, and introduce synergies across security and compliance.

Having seen and experienced the benefits this brings to our organisation and our customers, I highly recommend that any business implementing Dynamics 365 (or any strategic technology for that matter) should invest is this area.

As far as implementation approaches go, you typically have two options: Phased or a Big Bang. Phased projects are broken into chunks over time, whereas Big Bang projects aim to implement everything, all at once.

I love the statement “less is more”, so how do we apply this? Adopting what we call an MVP (known as Minimum Viable Product) mindset helps us break down processes into logical yet sensible components or deliverables which can be ordered and prioritised. These can be delivered quickly, allowing key stakeholders to realise value sooner.

Leveraging an MVP approach also ensures the actual users start realising the benefit early, which in turn drives adoption and facilitates the early feedback needed for subsequent improvements.

Yet again (and I’m passionate about this), plan for data cleansing and migration. You might remember I stressed the importance of understanding your data in my previous blog.

Start planning your data cleansing and migration as soon as possible. First, understand the quality of your data, and identify what data needs to be migrated. For example, agree on data dictionaries to illustrate how data will be eventually mapped to the Dynamics 365 CRM solution and consider how your existing integrated data is being consumed across any existing integrated systems.

Then, start your data cleansing activities early in the project. Where large amounts of data have been identified, consider opportunities to archive.

Ultimately, the cleaner and smaller the data volumes identified for migration, the less the eventual complexity, cost and risks.

Finally, don’t forget change management! Change management is essential to ensure the successful adoption of any new Dynamics 365 CRM solution. Specifically, make sure you:

• Engage stakeholders early
• Have a clear vision and strategy so that everyone understands the end goal
• Don’t underestimate the training & support you will need

Putting the effort into change management makes a huge difference to achieving your strategic goals—and not just implementing a technology. For example, watertight change management was fundamental in FRP Advisory’s recent successful migration to Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Insights Journeys (Marketing).

It was important for FRP to get stakeholder buy-in across the enterprise by demonstrating the benefits of Dynamics 365 CRM solution and making it as easy as possible to use. Therefore, a solid change management process has assisted in naturally boosting adoption: FRP has established a champions network, regular new feature sessions, strong update communications, and a knowledge hub including on-demand training.