Congratulations! You made it through your Dynamics 365 implementation. You’ve streamlined your internal processes, automated them, and rolled out the new system to your organization. Now, what do you do? This is a question many of our customers are faced with after an implementation.
My answer: you start all over again.
Let me explain…
Often, I meet with clients who complain that their business systems “no longer work for their needs.” Nine out of ten times the problem is that the customer has not done any training to explore the functionality offered in the system. Day in and day out they repeat the same processes, never wondering if it is really the most efficient way to do it. Businesses are constantly evolving and changing. Your processes change with it and the setup and functionality of your business systems have to reflect that. Really, in a Dynamics 365 implementation, change never stops. The system is so powerful and offers so much functionality, it will constantly evolve with you.
1 Month Post Implementation
Check in with your users. How are things working? Chances are there are still some hiccups and people are still learning the system. Your partner should be on-site at least 2x week working with these users and getting you to a stable point.
You should also be creating a list of Phase 2 items. As I said, it will be ever evolving and there will always be things to improve upon.
3 Months Post Implementation
The system should be stable, and users are functioning without intervention on a daily basis. This is a great point to join your local user group. Get involved with the community, learn what others are doing, and learn more about the functionality of the system and third parties available.
Make sure you are checking in with your users. If they are confused or frustrated it will affect user adoption. Your partner should still be onsite at least once a week, working with users to understand deeper system functionality and operating efficiently. Having your partner onsite will ensure that users are getting the attention they need and not becoming frustrated by a lack of understanding or other system issues.
6 Months Post Implementation
At six months post-implementation, users should be operating daily with little to no issues. It is time to start thinking about Phase 2 items. Generally, in a new Dynamics 365 implementation, Phase 1 consists of deploying mission-critical functionality and setting up automated workflows. Phase 2 is where deeper functionality comes in to play. Document Management, Business Intelligence, and integration with other business systems are some examples of Phase 2 items. Any items that were not addressed in Phase 1 would also be taken care of at this point. Essentially, you are starting the implementation process over again here. More training would take place during this time too.
A business system is ever-changing, and, in turn, your implementation is never-ending. While this can sound overwhelming, it is a great thing! Constant evolution is what the digital transformation does to organizations. With cloud technology, we can constantly adapt and always make strides to be more efficient. If you’re looking for a partner to help you evolve, contact KTL Solutions today.
