How Sure Step Is Slowly But Surely Becoming the Implementation Tool of Choice Across Microsoft Dynamics Applications

Sure Step is Microsoft's implementation methodology for all its Dynamics products. Recently I had the opportunity to take Microsoft's implementation exam for Dynamics and in the process, I learned that many customers and even some partners really don't understand what Sure Step is.

It should be obvious that a successful implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP provides the foundation for happy users later on. Since all of the Dynamics products are implemented by partners, it's in Microsoft's interests to facilitate consistent implementations whenever possible. Microsoft's vehicle to provide consistency is its Sure Step methodology.

Sure Step is an implementation methodology similar to methodologies already used by many partners. With the standardization of the methodology, Microsoft brings a consistent approach to documentation and terminology. Recently, Microsoft has made passing its implementation methodology exam one requirement of its updated partner certification program. This means it's going to be a lot harder for partners to resist adopting Sure Step.

Fortunately, Sure Step adoption is a good thing for both partners and customers. Sure Step is simply a framework. It includes defined processes, common documents and shared tools designed to remove some of the variables in project implementations.

One of the most important benefits from Sure Step is a common set of documents. The default documents replace a smorgasbord of items created  by each individual partner. In many cases, there are specific documents for implementing each Dynamics product (GP, AX, NAV, etc.) as well as generic versions that can be tailored as needed.

A second benefit is that Sure Step is integrated with Sharepoint. It's very easy for partners to set up and deploy a Sharepoint portal for a single implementation. This setup provides all of the document templates designed to support ...