The Microsoft Dynamics AX implementation methodology, SureStep, describes implementation and process best practices for partners working with Microsoft Dynamics AX. Toolkits are available for download from PartnerSource.

The SureStep methodology is divided into the following phases:

Phase

Tasks during phase

Diagnostics

  • Evaluate a customer's business processes and infrastructure

  • Prepare a proposal

Analysis

  • Analyze the current business model

  • Produce a gap/fit analysis

  • Create the requirements documentation

Design

Create documents:

  • Feature design

  • Data migration design

  • Test criteria

  • Technical design

Development

  • Develop the features

  • Test the features and functions

  • Create and test the user documentation

Deployment

  • Set up the production environment

  • Configure the system

  • Migrate data

  • Test the system

  • Train the end-users

  • Bring the system live

Operation

  • Resolve pending issues

  • Finalize the user documentation and knowledge transfer

  • Conduct a post-mortem of the project

  • Provide on-going support

These are on-going activities that continue after project close and throughout any future involvement with the client.

Optimization

  • Analyze the system to determine how it can be optimized for the best performance based on customer's needs

  • Perform the optimization

  • Carry out testing

The purpose of this phase is to help the customer optimize the benefit they get from the business solution.

Upgrade

  • Review the customer's business processes

  • Align the business processes with new functionality

  • Put the systems in place to support the upgrade