Methodology is a systematic theoretical analysis of methods applied to achieve one or many goals. This systematic study of methods with a clear process and coupled with best practices ensures a higher success rate for goal attainment. However, a methodology does not guarantee success and hence needs to be customized and refined over the course of the cycle to ensure that it adapts to any changes in an enterprise environment.

A methodology comprises various tools and techniques, such as phased workflows, individual process workflows, process procedures, templates, samples, aids, instructions, responsibility, accountability, authority, risks and issues, and many more, all carried out to deliver the product or service.

By managing every program undertaken in a repeatable manner, your team gains efficiency, works smarter, and can build an environment of continuous...

The choice of methodology selection is limited but needs to be done carefully. The primary methodologies of Dynamics 365 are as follows:

• CRP: This is the latest methodology recommended by Microsoft and other advisers to embrace and implement Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise edition (AX). As this is a blend of agile and waterfall, one can smartly use this methodology to achieve goals of all sizes, big or small.
• Agile: This methodology is good in some scenarios, such as support and enhancements. However, for a greenfield initiative of implementing Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise edition (AX), this may not be so useful. When the project duration is short and goals are clearly defined and non-changeable, this methodology will be found useful.
• Waterfall: This is the traditional...

Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle Services (LCS) provide a cloud-based collaborative workspace that customers and partners can use to manage implementations by simplifying and standardizing the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, Enterprise edition implementations.

LCS is a must-have tool for all Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise edition implementations and helps in improving the predictability and quality of implementations, thereby enabling business value faster. LCS provides regularly updated services. The goal of LCS is to deliver the right information, at the right time and to the right people, and to help ensure repeatable and predictable success with each roll-out of an implementation, update, or upgrade.

LCS is available to customers, partners as well potential prospects. While customers and partners...

We would like to share some resources, which every person using Microsoft Dynamics 365 should be aware of and always keep visiting:

• Wiki/help: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/unified-operations/fin-and-ops/index
• Dynamics Learning Portal (DLP) : https://mbspartner.microsoft.com (partners only)
• Roadmap: https://roadmap.dynamics.com
• Idea portal: https://ideas.dynamics.com/ideas/
• CustomerSource: https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource
• PartnerSource: https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource

In this chapter, you learned about the importance of a methodology and the various choices of methodologies available. Conference Room Pilot (CRP) is clearly preferred and the recommended option, while organizations can adapt to any other methodology depending on the organization culture and project requirements. 

We introduced important tools while embracing Dynamics 365, such as LCS. LCS has a plethora of tools to benefit from and derive value in your implementation. We expect Microsoft to enhance these tool's existing capabilities. We also expect new functionality additions to benefit customers and partners worldwide and to lay a strong foundation of successful adoption of Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise edition (AX) as the platform of choice to run their businesses.

Understanding the architecture is critical to know how the system...