Overview of roles in Dynamics 365

Across Dynamics 365, you're likely to find content that is intended for people with a specific type of job but might be accessed by people with other jobs. You'll also find content that is intended for people across their organization, regardless of their job or role. This article intends to describe the different roles as Microsoft perceives them.

If you can't find a definition that fits you, don't despair! It just means that we've merged different jobs into a role for simplicity. For example, an article might target a functional consultant but includes content that is relevant for an accountant or a purchasing manager. Or an article might target a developer but can be consumed and understood by a low-code app maker.

Role	Description
Customer	This role covers two definitions: In guidance and admin content, it's the organization that buys a license for a Microsoft product. In Dynamics 365 business functionality content, it's more often that organization's client or consumer.
Partner	This role covers two definitions: In guidance and admin content, it's the organization that sells licenses for Microsoft products. In developer or maker content, it's more often an independent software vendor, ISV, or app provider.
Functional consultant	This role covers people that are employed by a Microsoft reselling partner and who helps implement Dynamics 365 for a customer. The role covers many different names and job titles. Learn more at Functional consultants in Dynamics 365 implementations.
Solution architect	This role is employed by Microsoft or any other company and use their technical expertise to integrate and optimize technologies across an organization, tailoring solutions to meet business needs. Learn more at Solution architects in Dynamics 365.
Business owner	This role covers the person or people with the final say in which Microsoft services their organization will purchase.
Business analyst	This role typically applies to a person who is employed by the customer. The role covers many different names and job titles.
Developer	Typically a software engineer, but other profiles can also consume and understand the content. Their employer can be either a partner or the customer.
Internal admin	This role covers people that are employed by the organization that uses Dynamics 365 as system administrators or similar jobs. They must approve partner access to their organization's environments, for example.
Delegated admin	This role covers people that are employed by a Microsoft reselling partner and are assigned granular delegated admin privileges to their customer's tenants.

Stakeholders

In guidance content, you will also find articles, such as business processes, that are intended for a specific group of stakeholders, meaning people with different titles and jobs but a professional interest in certain departments or business areas and how Dynamics 365 is configured in those areas. The following table lists the terms we use for these people.

Term	Examples
Accounts payable stakeholders	Accounts payable manager
Accounts receivable stakeholders	Accounts receivable manager, Credit and collections manager, Revenue recognition manager
Treasury stakeholders	Treasurer, Cash manager, Controller
Finance stakeholders	CFO, Controller, Accounting manager
Sales stakeholders	VP of sales, Sales Directors, General Managers
Purchasing stakeholders	Director of Procurement, Purchasing Manager, Buyers
Production stakeholders	Production executive, Production planner, Production manager, Manufacturing manager, Research and development manager
Operations stakeholders	COO, Risk managers, Fraud managers
Retail store operations stakeholders	Store manager, General manager, District manager
Merchandising stakeholders	Merchandising manager
Marketing stakeholders	CMO, Marketing executive, Marketing manager
Warehouse stakeholders	Warehouse manager, Shift manager
Human resource stakeholders	CPO, HR executive, Director or human resources, Learning manager, Compensation manager, Benefits manager
Project/Service stakeholders	Project directors, Project managers, Engagement managers, Delivery managers
Customer service stakeholders	Call center manager, Customer service manager, Case managers
Field service stakeholders	Field supervisors, Fleet managers
IT stakeholders	CIO, Director IT, ERP Manager, Technology managers
Administrative stakeholders	System admin, Microsoft 365 admin

Related information

Available certifications for different roles in Dynamics 365
Solution architects in Dynamics 365
Glossary of terms in Dynamics 365 business processes
Dynamics 365 guidance documentation