Project Management in Dynamics CRM
Managing Microsoft Dynamics Implementations Certification Exam (Prometric Exam # MB5-858)
All Microsoft Dynamics partners will require to employ at least one staff member who has passed this exam. Preparation guidelines are on partnersource . Interested in comments from partners as to how you intend to prepare for this. Remember that the deadline is Jan 2011 - regardless of when your partner membership is up for renewal. Let us know at info@dynamicsbase.com. NOTE: we can provide training on SureStep for Microsoft partners looking to get ahead of the curve on this isse.
Agile Project Management with Scrum
Agile Project Management and Scrum (terms often interchanged for each other) is increasingly being used and requested by clients. It is a very different discipline to the formal approaches implemented in PM methodologies such as Prince or perhaps in SureStep. I've put together the following PDF slide deck for any consultant or PM who would like to understand the essentials. I've also added a few references in for further research or training. Interested in anyone who has experience in Agile and CRM - personally I have and have found it to fit quite well.
30th March 2010
SureStep
SureStep is a specific implementation methodology which has been designed by Microsoft for Dynamics partners. The tools and resources are exclusively available to Certified Microsoft Dynamics partners. Here is a short overview of the methodology - note the latest version is SureStep 2010. If you are a partner then you can access SureStep from partnersource. It is noteable that the latest version reflects Agile methods.
An overview of Prince2 Project Management methodology
Prince2 is possibly one of the widest used and implemented Project Management methodologies. It is very popular amongst public sectory clients in the UK and wider. A short article cannot really do it justice but here are some salient points.
Prince2 is focussed on the business case throughout the lifecycle of the project.
Prince2 aims to control:
Costs, Timescales, Quality, Scope, Risk and Benefits
Prince2 is an integrated framework of processes and themes addressing planning, delegation, monitoring and control of the following aspects:
The principles
The themes
The processes
Tailoring Prince2 to the project environment
Prince2 does not provide:
Specialist aspects, detailed techniques and leadership capability.
The seven principles of Prince2 project management are
Continued business justification
Learn from experience
Defined roles and responsibilities
Management by stages
Management by exception
Focus on products
Tailor to suit the project environment
Of course there is much more and we would recommend that you start with the following publication if you want to know more or start studying Prince2:
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/crmbase-21/detail/0113310595