Introduction
Salesforce is quickly becoming the leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, and more and more organizations are looking to make the switch. But migrating to Salesforce isn’t something to be taken lightly; it’s a large-scale project that takes thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a dedicated resource. Here we provide a guide on how to prepare for a successful Salesforce deployment from start to finish.
Clarify Goals and Expectations for Deployment
Before any project begins, it’s necessary to have clearly defined goals and expectations for the deployment. Start by meeting with members from your executive team to ensure consensus on the organizational needs that Salesforce must meet, as well as timelines, budgets, functional priorities, and expected outcomes. This will help all stakeholders to have a shared vision and understanding of what success looks like.
Define Use Cases
Once goals and expectations are established, begin to develop use cases of what the Salesforce implementation should do. Get specific and in-depth on the types of business processes that need automation, customizations, integrations, and reporting capabilities. Identify which departments will be using Salesforce and why, as well as any unique requirements they have.
Assign Key Positions
Appoint a Salesforce Steering Committee that will maintain oversight and accountability of the deployment project. This committee ideally should include representation from the IT team, the executive team, end users, and those with a vendor or development background. Additionally, you will need to assign a dedicated project manager to ensure the Salesforce deployment is running smoothly and will be delivered on time and within budget.
Map Out Requirements and Develop a Timeline
Once the goals and expectations are established and the team is in place, it’s time to move onto the planning phase. Start by mapping out all project requirements and designing a timeline that accounts for data migration, configuration, customization, and training. Break projects down into smaller tasks and assign dedicated resources to each. Ensure that you are building in buffer time for quality assurance (QA) and changes.
Define Scope
At this point, you’ll want to do a comprehensive audit of licenses and products to determine any existing limits or gaps that need to be filled to ensure that your Salesforce usage and requirements align. As part of the scope, you should also document your goals, milestones, project phases and deliverables.
Develop Plan
Be sure to involve end users in the plan and have them review it as a form of quality control. Having a reasonable timeline in place will provide smooth transitions and reduce any obstacles that can arise.
Identify Resources and Develop a Training Plan
Now that the plan is in place, it’s time to source any resources you’ll need to begin implementation. This includes any additional technical resources that can aid in customizations and integration. Additionally, it’s important to develop a comprehensive training plan. This will help ensure your users are comfortable and confident using Salesforce. Start by assessing the current knowledge of your users and identify gaps—what do they know about Salesforce, and what do they need to learn?
Source Resources
Research potential vendors that can provide assistance and ensure that you are selecting the most qualified resources. It’s also important to ensure the vendor understands the objectives and requirements of the project, as well as any desired end-state that needs to be achieved.
Develop Training
As for training, develop a program that is tailored to the needs of your users. Consider the type of content, platform, format and timeline that makes sense for each user type. This may include online tutorials and videos, in-person trainings, employee coaching, or a combination of the three.
Set Up Infrastructure and Test for Success
Once all resources have been identified, it’s time to start infrastructure setup. This requires the implementation of data storage such as databases, internal storage systems, website hosting, and more. Once these have been implemented, it’s important to test for success before launching Salesforce. Run thorough tests that cover technical and functional aspects of the implementation, as well as user acceptance tests that ensure end users are comfortable with the product.
Conclusion
Migrating to Salesforce is a large-scale project that requires thoughtful planning and dedicated resources. With a clear vision, excellent resources, and a comprehensive training program, you can ensure a successful Salesforce deployment from start to finish. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can prevent any surprises and ensure the success of your project.