Our Purely CRM team of consultants at Endeavour Solutions deliver Dynamics 365 and Power Platform projects using an Agile methodology as we believe that this will be the most optimal way to implement the designs, functions and capabilities related to each CRM, Portal and Business Applications solution.
As seen in the diagram above, our methodology also includes elements of a waterfall approach with an initial Diagnostic and Analysis of your requirements to allow for the pre-sales creation of estimates, a shared vision and creative design before the project begins.
Once projects are approved and our Purely CRM team is engaged, our project managers lead the technical delivery of your project using Agile. Following a phased nature (Stack Ranking) of our Agile processes, clients face limited disruptions while receiving a stream of new functions within each SPRINT stage. Your CRM project will be completed once all phases are demonstrated, users are trained, all features are released, and post-production evaluations are accepted by both you and our consultants.
Combined with Agile, our team uses Microsoft DevOps (a project management tool for development operations) to visualize the configuration process of your applications, connecting stakeholders, managers, and team members to the entire project.
Pre-sales Vision and Design
Clarity of business goals is essential for successful CRM implementation. Our experts uncover the key business requirements that will drive a solution which aligns with your goals and objectives.
The project team will use the initial Purely CRM approved proposal to form the basis of the Project Charter and overall budget for the project
Stack Ranking
The Purely CRM project team will break down the initial design and vision into a series of “User Stories” often there are decisions that are made early on in the Design that indicate specific technologies, functions and capabilities within the Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform and AI Microsoft Copilot that will be leveraged to meet the design needs.
Following an Agile iterative approach additional user stories and business needs may be added and the stack ranking readjusted.
Several 2-week Sprints
Our Methodology dictates that ideally every project is split into several 2-week Sprints which will focus on the completion of user stories (the intermediate steps needed to be accomplished by each consultant to complete the production of a feature), and key functional and technical components.
QA, Testing, and UAT workstreams are handled within each 2-week Sprint. Depending on project size, complexity and phases, UAT (User Acceptance Training) may be consolidated into separate 2-week Sprint(s) during the latter part of the project allowing for client resources added time to complete their reviews.
Daily Standup Meetings (Scrums)
Daily stand-up meetings (scrums) are held every day and typically last 15 minutes with the project team. The scrums identify what each consultant is working on that day, what they worked on the prior day, and if they have anything that is blocking them from performing their assigned tasks.
As Sprints progress, a remediation phase is also included so that any issues found during the UAT cycles can be resolved and implemented.
Day-to-day Project Management
The Endeavour / Purely CRM Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the delivery of the project and will work closely with all the stakeholders and integrated team resources. During each of the sprints, work will be assigned to the relevant team members based on the components in scope for that Sprint.
In cases where the proposed solution needs to be modified or changed (increased or decreased) based on a deeper understanding of the requirements, projects can be revised via a Change Request with a more detailed statement of work.
Training & Change Management
Our Methodology recommends training follow a Train-The-Trainer (T3) approach. This style of training (outside of training needed for UAT) primarily focuses on training the internal champions selected by the client. If needed our Purely CRM team also has expert training approaches and capabilities for end-user available via a Change Requests.
Change Management is an important part of larger projects and can make a significant impact on user adoption. As a first step, we ask clients to handle their Change Management internally. If needed our Project Mangers or dedicated Change Management consultants can take a more active role.
Go-Live and Hypercare Support
The production environment will be set LIVE on a pre-selected date and time. A Smoke test (preliminary testing) will be performed once the system is LIVE to ensure that business and public users can use the live system without any major issues.
Endeavour recommends access to our Purely CRM Support Desk, and Project Consultants to provide additional post Go-Live “Hypercare” support provided in the following week which will allow CRM, Portal and Business Application users to reach out for fast and responsive support.
Ongoing Purely CRM Support
Once the project is completed a transition is officially made to Endeavour’s Purely CRM Support desk. Purely CRM support is provided on a Time & Materials basis or via a Support Agreement.
Included are both proactive and reactive technical and functional support. Proactive support often includes the review and QA testing of Microsoft cloud-updates (Wave 1, Wave 2, and other releases) to ensure your system continues to operate in an optimal fashion.
With change in mind, we suggest you consider hitting the proverbial “RESET BUTTON” and re-evaluate ‘where you are now’; and ‘where you want to be‘.
