Milestone 1: Diagnose

Whether working with your Microsoft Partner Account Manager or on your own, diagnose your existing business situation and confirm the need for adopting Sure Step. Start at the highest level of responsibility in your organization.

Average time to complete Milestone 1: 30 days.

Step 1: Confirm Business Need

In regular meetings with their Microsoft PAM, the CEO of a Microsoft Dynamics partner should be introduced to the potential value of Sure Step: Top performing partners with a predictable service delivery model achieve higher operating profits.
Consult recent whitepapers on Partner Profitability by IDC and Microsoft, as well as the new Guidebook by Nucleus Research: Maximizing Success delivering Microsoft Dynamics.
The CEO confirms a need and a compelling reason to adopt Sure Step, and may work with the PAM to define a vision for ROI.
The Partner confirms they are enrolled in a Partner Service Plan, which is required to download Sure Step.

STEP 1 ROLES: CEO

Step 2: Assign Champion

The CEO selects a Champion to lead the adoption of Sure Step. The Champion should be a senior manager with the credibility and gravitas to lead a business change initiative. Review the ideal Champion Profile for more characteristics to look for.
Champion downloads Sure Step and takes Sure Step training.

STEP 2 ROLES: CEO, SURE STEP CHAMPION

Step 3: Form & Train V-team

Champion identifies and recruits V-team candidates, who will each take responsibility for assessing, configuring & deploying Sure Step.
BEST PRACTICE: The Champion should encourage all participants to manage the adoption of Sure Step as they would one of their own customer projects complete with scheduled meetings, kickoffs,and defined responsibilities.
Consult the V-team Roles & Responsibilities Matrix.
The V-team should include a Sales Manager, a Senior Application Consultant, a Senior Development Consultant, and a Senior Project Manager.
BEST PRACTICE: Be sure to involve Sales from the beginning.
An ideal V-team will have part-time participation from IT, Marketing and HR.
Champion organizes 100-level training on Sure Step for all V-team members.
At the completion of V-team training, each member takes the Sure Step Proficiency Assessment.

STEP 3 ROLES: CHAMPION, V-team CANDIDATES (SALES MANAGER, PROJECT MANAGER, APPLICATION CONSULTANT, DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT)

Step 4: Executive Communication

CEO sends an internal communication to the company announcing the importance of adopting Sure Step.
Communication is centered around the compelling reason why the company is adopting Sure Step, their goals and their vision for change.
Communication announces Champion as the leader, and sets early expectations.

STEP 4 ROLES: CEO, V-team (SALES MANAGER, PROJECT MANAGER, APPLICATION CONSULTANT, DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT)