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Project Managing Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementations
with Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step
Course 80054 : Two days;
Instructor-Led
Course Fee:
$998.00
Course Time: 2 days, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, or 4 evenings, 6pm - 9pm
About
This Workshop
The two day course, Project Managing
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementations with
Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step is an advanced
training workshop that focuses on the
Project Management area of Microsoft
Dynamics Sure Step 2.0. Students assume the
role of a Project Manager as they complete a
case study involving the implementation of
Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Tailspin Toys, a
fictitious customer account.
Guidance is provided in using Microsoft
Dynamics Sure Step from a Project Manager's
perspective as students complete each phase
of the implementation. Lab activities focus
on project management tasks involving
project initiation, planning, execution,
monitoring, and closure. Students are tasked
with completing a variety of Sure Step
documents and making strategic
implementation decisions during each
implementation phase.
Students do not install or use Microsoft
Dynamics CRM during the case study. However,
sufficient knowledge of Microsoft
Dynamics CRM is necessary for the student to
tailor the implementation and complete the
Sure Step project documents to satisfy the
customer’s business requirements. Class
discussions following each lab exercise add
the dimension of peer learning and play a
key role in enforcing the knowledge learned
during the training.
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Audience Profile
This training is intended for Project
Managers and Implementation Consultants
responsible for managing Microsoft Dynamics CRM
implementations.
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At
Workshop Completion
After completing this course, students will
be able to:
- Examine how to prepare and plan for each
implementation phase.
- Select, plan, and deliver Sure Step’s
decision accelerators.
- Define the scope of the project based on
decision accelerator results.
- Guide the customer towards the most
efficient implementation process and project
type.
- Produce time and cost estimates for the
project.
- Plan the resources for the project and
plan for risks.
- Create a training plan.
- Understand the process of Sure Step’s
Detailed Business Analysis workshops.
- Identify and document functional
requirement Fits and Gaps.
- Control scope creep by implementing
proposal management.
- Plan early for the Deployment phase by
creating a deployment plan.
- Learn how to use Sure Step’s Solution
Design Documents.
- Examine Performance Reporting and Status
Reporting.
- Plan and perform testing activities
across different phases.
- Conduct a tollgate review at the
completion of each phase.
- Prepare and conduct the cutover from the
non-production to production environment.
- Identify how to work towards project
closure.
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Prerequisites
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
No Microsoft Certified Professional exams are
associated with this course currently.
Course Materials
The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook.
Workshop Outline
Session
1: Introduction to the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Case
StudyThis module provides a
brief introduction about this two day course, which
begins by reviewing and summarizing some of the
essential concepts of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step. This
module also introduces the basic premise of the case
study. Background information about the fictitious
implementation project is provided, as well as the
structure and types of exercises in the upcoming
modules.Lessons
-
Overview of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step
-
Introduction to the Case Study
Lab : Create a Test Project
- Create
a test project in Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step that
is unrelated to the case study used in this course.
- Provide
experience in creating a new Sure Step project and
review the standard tools and templates which Sure
Step copies to the project.
Lab : Import the Sure Step Project
File for the Case Study
- Create
a second project by importing a zipped Microsoft
Dynamics Sure Step project file that was created for
Tailspin Toys, a fictitious customer account.
- Review
the custom tools and templates that were imported
into the project and that will be used throughout
the case study.
- Provide
experience importing a Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step
project file.
After completing this module, students will be able
to:
- Identify the essential components of Microsoft
Dynamics Sure Step.
- Understand the case study, its storyline, and
the role students play in the fictitious Microsoft
Dynamics CRM implementation.
- Identify the course material and supporting
documents that are used throughout the case study.
Session 2: Project
Initiation and Planning in the Diagnostic PhaseThe
case study begins with the Diagnostic phase, which
typically includes sales related activities. This module
examines the Diagnostic activities that support and
reinforce the sales activities and prepare for the
upcoming project. This involves gathering sufficient
information to define the high level project scope and
make a confident proposal for the remaining phases of
the implementation.Lessons
-
Preparing for the Diagnostic Phase
-
Delivering Decision Accelerators
-
Planning the Project
-
Managing the Project Proposal
Lab : Internal Briefing Meeting
- The
course instructor plays the role of the sales
representative for the fictitious partner
organization and presents a slide presentation that
introduces the project and provides key information
needed to initiate the Diagnostic phase.
Lab : Review Preliminary Project
Information
- Learn
how to find relevant project documents for this
moment in the project lifecycle.
- Become
familiar with project documents based on the
Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step templates.
-
Discover the outlines of the project specific
context for this case.
Lab : Select Decision Accelerators
-
Identify if there is a need in this project for
decision accelerators.
-
Identify which decision accelerators are applicable
to this implementation.
Lab : Class Discussion
- Listen
to the other students’ views on how to approach this
project.
- Discuss
the next steps that need to be taken.
Lab : Requirements and Process
Review
- Review
the customer's current processes to determine its
future requirements.
-
Complete specific sections of the Requirements and
Process Review Report, identifying which
requirements are in-scope and which are not.
- Using a
Sure Step template titled “Requirements and Process
Review Presentation”, create a Microsoft PowerPoint
presentation that you will present to the class, who
will play the role of the customer.
Lab : Fit Gap Solution Blueprint
-
Determine the Degree of Fit and the Degree of Gap
for your project.
-
Validate the degree of Fit and create a solution
blueprint for the implementation.
Lab : Scoping Assessment
- Analyze
the customer requirements to gain an insight on the
scope of the project.
- Analyze
the outputs from any other diagnostic service
offerings that are completed.
- Analyze
inherent constraints in the processes to understand
the logical way things are done at the customer
site.
- Impose
constraints on processes based on the Microsoft
Dynamics CRM approach to similar processes.
Lab : Define the Project Type for
the Case
-
Interpret the information gathered in the decision
accelerators.
- Match
this information to the recommended project type
criteria.
-
Determine which project type best fits the Tailspin
Toys implementation.
Lab : Create the High-Level
Project Plan
- Review
the project plan templates Sure Step includes based
on the work breakdown structure for each project
type.
- Develop
a project schedule for the Tailspin Toys
implementation.
Lab : Class Discussion
- Discuss
the creation of the Project Plan in class.
-
Identify the benefits of the Project Plan templates
provided by Sure Step.
Lab : Create the Statement of Work
(SOW)
- Based
on the high level information gathered thus far,
create the SOW for the Tailspin Toys project using
the Sure Step SOW template.
Lab : Present the Statement of
Work
- The
instructor will moderate a class discussion about
the content of the SOW.
-
Contribute to the class discussion by highlighting
the key points you included in your own SOW.
After completing this module, students will be able
to:
- Prepare and plan for a Diagnostic phase.
- Decide, plan, and deliver the decision
accelerators.
- Identify and define the scope for the project
based on results from the decision accelerators.
- Guide the customer towards the most efficient
implementation process and project type.
- Produce time and cost estimates for the project.
- Plan the resources for the project.
- Plan for risks.
- Create a project proposal.
Session 3: Project Planning
and Execution During the Analysis PhaseThis
module examines the activities required to initiate and
effectively plan the entire project. In the case study,
you will finalize and approve the project charter,
execute the project team Kick Off meeting, document the
functional requirements, perform and document a Fit Gap
analysis, and finalize the project plan.Lessons
- Project
Planning and Communications Management During the
Analysis Phase
- Conduct
the Solutions Overview
-
Detailed Business Process Analysis
- Fit/Gap
Analysis
- Issue
Management
Lab : Prepare for the Kick Off
Meeting
- Learn
how to prepare for and conduct a Kick Off meeting.
- Create
the necessary documents and presentations for the
Tailspin Toys Kick Off meeting.
Lab : Conduct the Kick Off Meeting
- One or
more students will be selected by the instructor to
present their Kick Off meeting presentation to the
rest of the class, who will play the role of
Tailspin Toys employees.
- Class
discussion will facilitate peer learning.
Lab : Class Discussion – Necessity
of Solutions Overview
- Discuss
the necessity and benefits of Solutions Overview
training for key users prior to conducting a
detailed system analysis.
Lab : Create the Training Plan
- Create
a training plan for conducting Solutions Overview
training at Tailspin Toys.
-
Identify the business areas and the Microsoft
Dynamics CRM modules that will be the subject of the
Solutions Overview training.
-
Identify which users should participate in the
training.
-
Identify the benefits of conducting Solutions
Overview training.
Lab : Review Workshop Reports
- Review
the Business Process Analysis Workshop reports that
are provided for the students.
- Become
familiar with the Sure Step Business Process
Analysis templates and acquire more information on
the scope of the Tailspin Toys project
Lab : Complete the Functional
Requirements Document (FRD)
- Based
on the information defined in the Workshop Reports,
determine Tailspin Toys’ business requirements and
document them in the FRD.
Lab : Identify Gap Information
- Collect
all the relevant information regarding the Gaps
based on the input information from the FRD and the
Workshop Review Reports.
- Revise
the Fit/Gap spreadsheet used during the Diagnostic
phase with this new information.
- Revise
your conclusions regarding the Fit/Gap analysis and
discuss with the class.
Lab : Identify Integration and
Interface Requirements
- Review
the Workshop Reports for each Tailspin Toys business
department.
-
Complete the existing Integration Requirements
Spreadsheet with the new required information.
Lab : Identify Issues
-
Identify the possible issues identified within the
Diagnostic and Analysis documents.
-
Document these issues in the Issue Entry Form and
the Issues List.
Lab : Class Discussion – Identify
Changes
-
Participate in a class discussion about what makes a
particular gap or issue a change and investigate the
different sources that make up a change request.
Lab : Document Changes and Update
the Project Plan
- Review
the Issues and Gap information related to possible
changes that were identified in the Detailed
Business Process Analysis workshop reports.
- Analyze
the changes and document them in Change Request
forms.
- Update
the Project Plan based on the accepted and rejected
change requests that were submitted to the customer.
After completing this module, students will be able
to:
- Prepare for and conduct the Kick Off meeting
with the customer.
- Determine if key user training prior to the
Business Requirements Workshops is necessary.
- Create a training plan.
- Understand the process of the Detailed Business
Analysis.
- Identify and document the gaps in the workshop
review documents.
- Examine how to handle issues in the project.
- Control scope creep by implementing proposal
management.
- Finalize the project plan to reflect changes in
business requirements.
Session 4: Project
Execution and Monitoring During the Design, Development,
and Deployment PhasesThis
module examines the activities that a Project Manager
must execute and monitor when implementing Microsoft
Dynamics CRM. By collaborating with the project team
(the class), the student will determine what activities
and processes are appropriate and to what extent each
activity needs to be conducted. During the execution
phase of the project, the student will review the
following project management activities as they apply to
the case study: plan and perform quality assurance and
quality control, monitor and close any necessary
purchases and acquisitions, ongoing risk and issue
management, ongoing time and cost management, project
scope management, project communication, and develop the
project team.Lessons
-
Overview of the Design, Development, and Deployment
phases
- Project
Planning
-
Solution Design
- Project
Performance and Status Reporting
- Testing
-
Tollgate Review
- Go-Live
Lab : Create the Deployment Plan
-
Envision the necessary activities for the Deployment
phase and formalize this in the Deployment Plan.
Lab : Update the Project Plan
- Update
the project plan with any changes to the timeline,
resources, and milestones based on any changes that
have occurred to the project.
Lab : Create a Fit Design in the
Functional Design Document (FDD)
- Examine
the FDD document provided by Sure Step for recording
configuration Fit requirements.
-
Document in the FDD the configuration and parameter
settings that are required for both the standard
functionality and ISV solution(s) to fully meet the
customer’s business requirements.
Lab : Create a Gap Design in the
Functional Design Document (FDD)
- Examine
the FDD document provided by Sure Step for recording
business requirement gaps.
-
Document in the FDD the customizations that must be
made to Microsoft Dynamics CRM to fully meet the
customer’s business requirements.
Lab : Create a Solution Design
Document (SDD)
- Review
the SDD that has been provided and discuss its
contents.
Lab : Class Discussion
- Discuss
the pros and cons about using separate design
documents for each Gap and each Fit.
- Discuss
the benefits of using an SDD in implementations.
Lab : Review the Consultant Status
Report
- Review
the content of the Development Estimate Report and
the Consultant Status Report provided with the case
study.
Lab : Create the Project Status
Report
- Based
on a number of issues included in the case study,
create a Project Status report that provides a
summary of the project accomplishments, decisions,
planned work, risks, and issues.
Lab : Unit and Function Testing
- Review
the Sure Step template for Unit and Function Testing
(custom code testing).
- Review
the testing activities identified in the case study
and determine the affect of the test results.
Lab : User Acceptance Testing
- Plan
for the User Acceptance tests.
- Monitor
the results of the test provided with the case study
and determine the next steps in the project.
Lab : Prepare the Tollgate Review
- Create
a Tollgate Review report to close the Development
Phase.
Lab : Create a Go-Live Cut-over
Plan
- Examine
what items need to be prepared and which tasks need
to be completed before transitioning from the
non-production to production environment.
- Create
a Go-Live Cutover Plan.
After completing this module, students will be able
to:
- Create a deployment plan.
- Use solution design documents.
- Create Performance Reports.
- Create weekly Status Reports.
- Plan and perform testing activities across
different phases.
- Conduct a Tollgate Review.
- Prepare and conduct the cutover from the
non-production to the production environment.
Session 5: Project Closure
During the Operations PhaseThis
module examines the final activities required to close
out the project and transition the solution and
knowledge to the customer.Lessons
- Quality
Management
- Project
Closure
-
Celebrate Project Completion
Lab : Complete Pending Items
-
Identify the pending items that need to be resolved
in order to complete the project.
Lab : Class Discussion – Conduct
Lessons Learned Meeting
- Using
the students as members of the partner organization,
conduct a Lessons Learned meeting that reviews the
partner’s performance so that it can take proactive
actions to improve its performance in future
engagements.
Lab : Class Discussion – Conduct
Close-Out Meeting
- Prepare
for the Close-Out meeting with the customer by
reviewing the Engagement Closure Checklist and
creating a Project Close-Out Meeting Agenda.
- Using
the students as members of the customer
organization, conduct a Close-Out Meeting.
-
Document your conclusions and notes in the Project
Close-Out Report.
After completing this module, students will be able
to:
- Appreciate the importance of quality management
during the Operations phase.
- Understand the necessity of project closure.
- Identify how to work towards project closure.
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