So you’ve chosen to implement D365 F&O and now you want to choose a partner. One of the first questions you will likely ask prospective partners is “Have you done this before?”
It’s a fair question, you would never instruct a builder to build you a house extension if they have never done any building work before (DIY enthusiasts and worried partners aside), but when you are choosing an implementation partner, could there be a risk with placing too much emphasis on referenceability?
When it comes to ERPEnterprise Resource Planning software is used by businesses to manage day-to-day activities. More implementation partners you are ultimately paying for skills (i.e. people). There will of course be benefits such as accelerators, which Jason Newbatt did a great series on (Do Accelerators really make your project faster? (Part 1), and delivery assets that will increasing the likelihood of success when it comes to your delivery, but ultimately it is the project team that carries the greatest importance, e.g. put a toddler into a Formula 1 racing car and you would be naïve to expect the same results as Lewis Hamilton.
Disclaimer: I neither condone, nor am I aware of, any partners using, or having used, toddlers for ERPEnterprise Resource Planning software is used by businesses to manage day-to-day activities. More implementations.
Consider this scenario (incoming football analogy); Manchester City (arguably) dominated European football in the 2022/23 season. However, during the summer transfer window their 4 best players leave the club for a competitor and they are unable to replace them before the season starts. They still carry the name Manchester City Football club and they have the many accolades to reference, but would you expect the same results on the pitch?
Much like this football scenario, when considering F&O implementation partners who have successfully implemented before, it’s key to note that it is primarily the people who delivered that success. A small turnover of experienced personnel could result is a notable loss of skills and expertise.
To be clear, I am not encouraging businesses to ignore a partner’s customer references. However, I believe deeper exploration is more beneficial and would provide a far more accurate assessment of their credentials. Try and understand who it is you would be dealing with on a day-to-day basis, not only for skills and credentials, but for personality and team fit.
Pull the curtain back on the sales show and request engagement with the prospective project team. In the absence of this, ask to meet some of their other employees, or request CVs/role profiles of likely candidates, so that you can get a greater feel as to their competencies.
Choosing the right implementation partner is one of, if not, the most important decisions you will make on your ERPEnterprise Resource Planning software is used by businesses to manage day-to-day activities. More transformation journey. Should you really be simplifying a critical competency assessment down to a binary yes/no decision?