Project methodology

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Regardless of the specific methodology for a Dynamics 365 project, they all have a few common benefits, such as:

  • Repeatability – Allows a successful approach to become repeatable across multiple projects.
  • Standardized documentation – Typically, some standard documents are used to detail the project work to be delivered.
  • Project management/scheduling – Usually includes a way to plan and track progress toward a successful deployment. The methodology also commonly influences how to divide a big project into smaller, more manageable releases or iterations.
  • Change control/governance – Essential for keeping project scope under control while managing changes that are essential to the project.

Generally, you can implement Dynamics 365 projects by using a waterfall approach, an agile approach, or a hybrid approach.

  • Waterfall approach - When all scope, planning, and details are decided before development has started. An advantage of using the waterfall approach is the set budget of the project. A disadvantage is the inability to make course corrections or take advantage of new releases in the core Dynamics 365 product.
  • Agile approach - When the big picture and goals are decided in the beginning, then project deliverables proceed in some type of iterative approach. A popular type of agile methodology is called Scrum. Advantages of an agile approach include the ability to regularly show value through smaller deployments and take advantage of new information and new feature releases quickly. Disadvantages include the unknowns and potential for budget overages.
  • Hybrid approach - Most customers prefer to have a return on their investment as quickly as feasible, so an agile or hybrid approach would better serve that need. Many enterprise resource planning (ERP) focused solutions take much longer in the planning phase of a project and bear a resemblance to waterfall methodology, even if the implementation is done iteratively. Many customer relationship management (CRM) focused projects do an iterative approach and show value quickly.