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



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