Understanding the Development Roadmap of the Microsoft Dynamics Application Consultant

Editor's Note:You can join Mohamed Aamer's session at Decisions Spring 2012, along with many other AX expert.

In my last article I discussed the application consultant skills set that a company should look for in a consultant, and the consultant's role in ERP implementations according to Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step phases.

The Microsoft Dynamics Partner Academy offers the application consultant a career development plan, and employers, whether they are Dynamics partners or customers, should work with their consultant to ensure that they are building an experienced application consultant.

According to the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Academy Learning Framework, application consulting careers pass through three levels of professional development:  Aware, Proficient, and Expert. And Dynamics consultants deal with four main knowledge areas: Microsoft Dynamics Solutions, Implementation Methodology, Industry, and Professional Development.

Awareness Level

The consulting entry level phase is awareness, where the consultant starts learning the basics of ERP concepts, the method of applying the software to business, and the value of a solution. The core value of the consultant is not how much he/she knows in terms of system functionality, it is all about bridging the knowhow of these functions to business scenarios and pains. The consultant must also acquire knowledge about ERP implementation life cycle phases and activities that comply with Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step.