Pre-selling Dynamics CRM: What to ask first? (PART II)
Hi,
This is a continuation of this post where I shared some key questions I use to ask when estimating and sizing Dynamics CRM projects.
So, I am going to share some other groups of questions that I think you may find it useful for similar purposes:
[Entities]
- Which level of customizations do current entities need?
- Which main new business entities should we consider?
- Any information about their fields? schema?
- Any actual form as reference?
- What about look-ups? How many aprox? (i.e., table with countries, cities, categories, and so on.)
- Any calculations / calculated fields?
[Data synchronization]
- Is it necessary to keep in synch some entities?
- Which entities / data and between which systems?
- 2-way synchronization?
- Which approach / integration pattern to follow? (i.e. shared database, messaging, file transfers, etc.)
- What about modifications on current systems? How is this going to be done? What to assume in this case?
- Synchronization frequency? must be synchronous or may run asynchronous (i.e. at a scheduled time at nights)
[Integrations]
- Systems, interfaces, environments, documentation?
- Should we consider some custom UI to display some data? (i.e. a grid with detail form with some special layout)
- Every system is accessible on-premise? How authentication works?
- In case CRM online, you would probably need to ask / validate about setting up Windows Azure AppFabric to interconnect CRM on-line with on-premise systems.
- You would also may need to ask / validate about setting up SQL Azure as a shared database.
- Any integration required / planned with current client’s website?`
- Social networks integrations? which ones are required and what info is relevant for the business?
- Sharepoint integration? Which version, edition and host model?
[Workflow]
- Are you going to set up Workflows? What for?
- What are you going to automate with workflows?
- Do you have them already defined somehow?
- Have they got any integration / custom logic or calculations steps? (bear in mind that CRM online still does not support custom WF activities)
- Are they aligned with any particular methodology?
(probably several typical questions about workflow systems may apply in this case)
[Business analysis]
- Which kind of reporting needs do you have?
- Any need of setting up goals for individuals and monitor goals achievements?
[Infrastructure]
- Current IT infrastructure in the client?
- Has it got licenses for OS, SQL, Exchange, AD ?
- Which other MS products has it got?
- Any diagram to see?
[Misc]
- Localization? Translation needs?
- Globalization? Different languages / cultures / currencies?
Hope it really helps you out as it helps to me when facing new projects mainly for estimating.
Additionally, I do not discard a Part III post some time in the future :p).
Look forward to any comment / feedback you may have so as to improve this list.
PP