A successful implementation of Office 365 begins with proper strategic planning and alignment. Planning begins with the delineation of the requirements. There are two distinct types of requirements. The first are those which comprise or capture function such as, “simultaneous access needed for multiple users”. The other are requirements which make up structure. These would encompass the factors of size, shape, appearance, etc. Proper delineation of these two distinct types of requirements, and which are of senior importance, is the make-break point of the requirements gathering process and sets the stage for a successful implementation.
Common Mistake
In order to stage and execute a smooth implementation, it is key to initially determine what the end-state needs to be from a functional standpoint.
A very common mistake in nearly all enterprise implementation projects is an over-emphasis on structural requirements, with functional requirements coming in as a secondary consideration.
2 Requirement Types
Setting the structural requirements before the functional requirements are worked out means the business is often stuck with a structural set-up that is not aligned to deliver the functional requirements needed. This results in complicated, mysterious, and unsolvable technical and structural issues which can grid-lock projects. Planning without sufficient or clearly defined functional requirements is essentially doing the project backwards. This inevitably extends timelines and results in “scope creep” in order to rebuild or re-plan the structure to achieve the needed function.
It is equally important for implementation projects to be fully understood, thus allowing for such initiatives to move forward and be properly carried out. Successful implementation occurs where there is confidence that the results of the project will create a coalescence of business strategy and integration of various business units and that the end result will be easy to manage.
yourDTS Team Process:
Our process includes walking the client through a comprehensive discovery of all data and decision points necessary for a successful implementation of Office 365. We work with the client to put together a strategic plan that will fulfill all functional and structural requirements and ensure the smooth execution of the plan once laid out.
DTS’ implementation service of Office 365 results in aligned business continuity, overall adoption, and use. Unique to DTS’ professional services is a coalescence of both technology and business-driven points of view. We engage our clients in understanding both their business and technical requirements, all the while ensuring those security elements necessary to the environment are fully met. We operate from the viewpoint that an environment can be properly implemented and achieve a 100% success rate, on time.
Implementing a robust solution requires a thorough understanding of the technology along with a holistic understanding of business requirements, where they can go and what they can achieve. These requirements are held up against the technology to ensure viability and sustainability across the enterprise.
Results
Implementation is where the rubber meets the road, where plans go into action. DTS’ Implementation Services ensure your business starts and stays on the right road, with the correct vehicle, and that arrival to the required destination is on time, with full amenities in use.
DTS’ Implementation Services deliver a well-planned implementation of Office 365, based on and aligned with business, technical and security requirements, including proper alignment of present and future objectives, along with timelines. Upon service completion, the business will have a fully implemented Office 365 solution, which enhances the end-user experience and functionality with zero interruption of services.