Partner Cast: Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Methodology
Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step is the official Software Process from Microsoft for Dynamics Projects. Like any other Software Process, Sure Step tells you WHO shall do WHAT in WHICH ORDER and who is RESPONSIBLE for what. So a software process can be seen as the sum of years of knowledge and best practice in software development. Sure Step defines process phases, milestones roles, artefacts, cross-phase-processes and additional projekt management processes. Sure Step supports a broad range of products: Dynamics AX, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics GP, Dynamcis SL and Dynamics CRM. And different project types: Full Implementation, Rapid Implementation, Optimization and Upgrade. Products and project types can be combined. Microsoft provides the Sure Step Overview Diagram for sales and training situations. Assuming this is a “Training Situation” I have uploaded the Overview Diagram.
Microsoft provides both, an electronic process guide, and an editor. The process guide is an HTML Project combined with ActiveX Elements. It is possible to filter the process guide content with the ActiceX Filter. Internet Explorer is required to view the process guid properly. The Editor is part of the Sure Step Package. It allowes you to tailor the process to your needs. I’ve encountered serval problems running the editor on a non-english windows version. Generating the static content breaks with an error message that some path cann’t be found. Solution: Setup an english windows on a virtual pc image and edit the content there.
Sure Step defines 6 Main Phases and 2 additional phases for optimization and upgrade. It covers the complete lifecycle from project initiation, development, deployment, optimization and upgrade to the next version. A phase ends with a milestone. A milestone is a sum of artefacts created or refined in the phase. If the milestone is accomplished you may start the next phase. At the first look the phases look like a waterfall model, but of course Sure Step isn’t waterfall. Cause waterfall don’t works in reallity.
