Dynamics D365 Rapid Growth
Dynamics 365 projects have increased in both quantity and scale dramatically in recent years. This surge has driven rapid expansion within the Microsoft Partner community, with many new entrants possessing varying levels of ERP experience. As a result, the demand for independent D365 project assurance has grown significantly.
Project assurance is an area AX Software has been heavily involved in for many years. Our long‑standing relationship with Microsoft ERP — and a business model not solely focused on new‑licence acquisition — means we are frequently called upon to provide assurance for projects showing early signs of stress or delivery risk.
As Dynamics continues to scale across larger organisations and more complex programmes, the need for experienced, independent oversight becomes increasingly important. AX Software brings more than two decades of Dynamics expertise to help organisations validate progress, identify risks and ensure their ERP investment remains on the right trajectory.
Resource Constraints
Rapid growth is difficult to sustain without some negative impact on resource availability and quality. In our experience, consultants need several ERP implementations under their belt before they become genuinely proficient in the art of delivering successful projects.
Some of the larger partners — particularly those with accountancy‑driven backgrounds — often employ graduates straight from higher education. While technically adept, practical business skills take time to develop, and real‑world ERP delivery experience cannot be fast‑tracked.
Consultants without exposure to multiple ERP implementations may end up learning on the job. This can be efficient and cost‑effective for the consultancy, but for the client paying for these services, the benefits are far less clear.
Efficient implementations are best led by experienced personnel. This de‑risks projects, as seasoned consultants have already “seen it, done it and got the t‑shirt”. Their experience allows them to anticipate issues, make informed decisions and maintain project momentum.
Where a Dynamics user feels they are not receiving the right level of support from their Microsoft Partner, an independent review can help validate those concerns. D365 project assurance provides a structured way to steer projects back on course and offers reassurance that the programme team is doing everything possible to ensure success.
Project Review
Conducting a review of your ERP project is not about producing a negative report or assigning blame to your implementation team or Microsoft Dynamics Partner. Issues can sit with either party — and in our experience at AX Software, responsibility is often shared. In many cases, the root cause goes all the way back to the requirements‑gathering stage, which is why we place such emphasis on capturing requirements thoroughly and having them assessed by experienced eyes.
We recognise that successfully pulling a project out of what appears to be a terminal nose‑dive often begins with hitting the reset button and rebuilding the relationship with your Microsoft Partner. A pragmatic, structured review can provide the clarity needed to do exactly that.
Identifying the issues, creating a detailed recovery plan, assessing available resources, and validating proposed solutions and timelines is essential. This process may involve difficult decisions around budget — whether extending it or making sensible compromises that affect final deliverables — but it is far better than allowing a failing project to continue unchecked.
Starting afresh with a new D365 implementation partner is always an option, but it almost always results in repeated effort, user frustration and increased cost. If possible, resolving issues with your existing partner is usually the most cost‑effective route — and AX Software can help you achieve this from a balanced, independent and highly experienced perspective.
Project Assurance
Project assurance is typically carried out at key milestone stages. It is often a joint activity between the Microsoft Partner and the client, assessing how well the previous stage has been delivered and whether the organisation is genuinely ready to move into the next phase.
However, on large programmes or complex projects, it is often advisable to conduct assurance with the involvement of an independent, experienced organisation. AX Software were engaged to perform exactly this role for Thames Valley Police who, together with Sussex and Surrey Police Authorities, were implementing a heavily integrated solution for more than 18,000 users.
Clients with limited experience of business‑system change can all too easily be reassured that “everything will come right in the next stage”. But large ERP projects behave more like tankers at sea — they require huge turning circles, and only experienced eyes can pilot those turns at the right moment.
Ultimately, you are placing your entire organisation into the hands of a primary supplier. When viewed logically, that is a significant risk. Ask yourself how confident you would feel relying on your supplier to proactively tell you they are struggling with timelines, resources, or delivery quality.
With more than 20 years of successful Microsoft Dynamics ERP delivery, AX Software can help you establish and manage assurance checkpoints from the outset. We bring a level of diligence, independence and experience that protects your investment and ensures your programme remains on the right trajectory.