Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&SCM is a major milestone for any organization, but true success doesn’t stop at go-live. To maximize ROI and sustain long-term value, leading organizations establish a Center of Excellence: a dedicated team and framework designed to standardize best practices, drive continuous improvement, and promote collaboration across business and IT.
At Logan Consulting, we’ve helped countless clients build thriving D365 Centers of Excellence. Here are our expert tips for creating a CoE that delivers real results.
1. Define Your Purpose and Governance Structure
A successful CoE starts with a clear mission. Whether your organization’s goal is to improve adoption, standardize processes, or enable data-driven decision-making, the CoE should have a defined scope and measurable objectives.
Establish a governance structure that outlines who makes decisions, how changes are prioritized, and how success is measured. This structure ensures alignment between business units, IT teams, and executive sponsors, keeping everyone moving toward the same goals.
2. Build a Cross-Functional Team
A D365 Center of Excellence should bring together experts from across your organization, technical leads, business analysts, process owners, and change management specialists.
By combining technical and functional expertise, your CoE can identify optimization opportunities and bridge the gap between system capabilities and business needs.
Tip from our experts: include “super users” or power users from key departments. These individuals play a crucial role in identifying challenges, testing updates, and championing adoption within their teams.
3. Standardize and Document Best Practices
Consistency is key. A CoE should serve as the central source of truth for how D365 is used across the organization. This includes documenting:
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System configurations and naming conventions
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Integration and customization standards
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Testing, deployment, and change management procedures
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Reporting and analytics guidelines
By maintaining comprehensive documentation, you create a repeatable and scalable approach that simplifies onboarding and minimizes disruptions during system updates.
4. Foster Continuous Improvement and Innovation
A great CoE doesn’t just maintain, it innovates. Encourage your team to continuously evaluate how D365 can evolve alongside your business.
Regularly review system performance, user feedback, and new Microsoft updates to identify opportunities for process automation, enhanced reporting, and improved user experience.
Leveraging tools like Power Platform and AI-driven analytics can further expand D365’s capabilities, keeping your organization ahead of the curve.
5. Prioritize User Enablement and Adoption
Even the most powerful system is only as effective as its users. Make user training, communication, and feedback central to your CoE strategy.
Create regular training sessions, quick reference guides, and internal communities for knowledge sharing. Establish feedback loops to ensure users feel heard and supported, this fosters engagement and maximizes adoption across departments.
6. Measure Success and Communicate Value
Track metrics that demonstrate the CoE’s impact, such as:
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Reduced support tickets
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Faster system updates
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Improved process efficiency
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Increased D365 adoption rates
Communicating these wins helps secure ongoing executive sponsorship and demonstrates the tangible value your CoE delivers to the business.
Final Thoughts
Building a D365 Center of Excellence is an investment in the long-term success of your digital transformation. By creating a structure that unites people, processes, and technology, organizations can ensure consistent governance, drive continuous innovation, and fully realize the value of Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Whether you’re just starting your D365 journey or looking to elevate your existing setup, Logan Consulting can help your organization build a CoE that drives measurable impact.
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