Go-live steps
From Dynamics
Contents |
Go-Live Implementation Steps
There are 7 basic steps in any Dynamics implementation; Sales process, Analysis, Development, Testing, User Training, Data Conversion and Implementation, . Every individual implementation will have more steps, but each must have these seven. In this chapter we will break down each of these, and discuss how to implement them roughly following a Dynamics Methodology.
The Sales process
Every implementation starts with the sales process. Here we cover the aspect more from the clients point of view and how they should go about purchasing Dynamics. I have seen many failed Dynamics implementations. Virtually all of these are eventually corrected, and become quite successful, but it is a very drawn out process when it does not go right in the beginning. Looking back at a failed implementation, it is generally possible to say “that’s where it failed”. In more than 50% of cases that I have seen, that fail point was somewhere just before the client signed the contract with their NSC.
Analysis
Whilst Analysis is a critical part of each implementation, it is hard to say what percentage of any project will be analysis. you can be pretty sure that there will never be enough Training, Project Management and Testing, and there will be too much development in every Dynamics implementation. But Analysis must be looked at objectively. In some cases you can actually spend more time on analysis, than on just getting in and doing it. Here we are going to try to identify the level of analysis required for a project, and how to get the right balance. One thing is clear, the more people working on the project, the more of the budget will be applied to analysis.
Development
Amongst my many talents, I am also quite psychic, and using my powers I am going to make a prediction. You will budget more on development than you would have expected, you will then spend more than your actual budget on development and when its all over, (well its never all over, but) you will realize that you should not have done as much development as you did. Managing development costs is where the big savings are to be had with Dynamics.
Testing
Ask any developer about testing, and they will be some what surprised. After all they understand your needs, and they don't make mistakes, so why all this emphasis on testing. After training this is the second area that you will wish you had spent more time on, unlike training, you don't yet believe that.
User Training
No one needs to be psychic here, even you know that you will not do enough training on Navision before Go-Live, you will look back and say "I wish we had done more training", and even now you know you are not going to do enough. I am going to give outlines of what training you should do, and tricks and tips to get it delivered effectively.
Data Conversion
All I am doing here, is giving some details of what to do and what not to do. I hope that I can cover enough cases for you to be able to make good decisions on what to convert, and what not to convert.
Implementation
In this chapter I will be discussing the process of delivery, this is the combining of all the steps into a finished product. This is the contact time, where you are working heavily with the users, and of course encompasses the all important "Go-Live day".
