A Day in the Life of a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect

Introduction

If you are considering a career as a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect, or if you are simply curious about what this role entails, you are in the right place. In this blog post, we will provide a glimpse into the tasks in the daily life of a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect.

Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects are essential to the success of any Dynamics 365 Finance project as they are responsible for the design and implementation of technical solutions that meet the business requirements of clients. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role and the skills required to thrive in it.

The Role of a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect

Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects play a critical role in project implementation. They are professionals who are responsible for designing and implementing a Dynamics 365 Finance solution based on their client’s needs. When working with new customers, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects make sure that they have a good understanding of how that business operates from end to end. They take time to identify their client’s unique business needs and requirements, which can often be complex and diverse. Getting a good grasp of the client’s business processes is important at the start of every project to determine how they fit into the system they implement.

I. Starting the Day Right

The morning routine of a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect starts just like most of us – they begin by reading their emails to stay up to date with any important information or updates from clients and team members. It is an essential part of their day. In addition, they also take the time to review their upcoming meetings and priorities for the day to ensure they are prepared for what’s ahead.

Before beginning their work, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects will typically participate in a daily standup meeting. This meeting is crucial and gives the team a quick overview of the current project status, any roadblocks or challenges that need to be addressed, and identifying solutions and next steps. It’s also an opportunity for team members to share updates, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions. The daily standup meeting helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. If they are working with multiple clients at the same time, they see to it that they go through every client’s specific deliverable based on their urgency and work through those tasks throughout the day.

Overall, the morning routine of a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect is all about getting organized and prepared for the day ahead. By taking the time to check their messages and review their schedule, they help keep their projects on track and work on challenges that may arise.

II. Working with Design and Development

As technical experts, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects use their knowledge of the Dynamics 365 platform to provide guidance and recommendations to the development team. During the design and development phase, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects may also be responsible for creating technical documentation, such as functional and technical specifications, deployment plans, and test scripts. This documentation is critical to the success of the project, as it ensures that the development team has a clear understanding of what needs to be built and how it should be implemented.

By collaborating with the development team and providing technical guidance and expertise, they ensure that the client’s business requirements are met, the solutions are aligned, and the project is going as planned.

III. Keeping Communications Clear with Clients

Effective communication with clients is an important skill that any consultant should have. As a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect, they need to be able to understand and interpret client requirements, translate them into technical solutions, and communicate these solutions back to the client in a clear way. Throughout the project lifecycle, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects engage with clients in various ways, such as through whiteboard sessions, in-person and virtual meetings, and emails. During this time, they explain technical concepts and solutions to non-technical stakeholders, as well as manage client expectations around project timelines and deliverables.

In addition to regular communication, there will be days when they will conduct presentations and demonstrations to showcase their proposed solutions and get client feedback. These presentations may involve creating and delivering PowerPoint presentations, conducting demos of customizations and integrations, or providing technical guidance during training sessions. On a daily basis, Finance Architects use Microsoft productivity tools to help them communicate with clients effectively. These tools include Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Visio, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and so much more.

Indeed, effective client and team communication is critical to the success of any Dynamics 365 Finance project. By maintaining clear and open lines of communication, Finance Solution Architects can ensure that project requirements are understood, expectations are managed, and technical solutions are delivered to meet the client’s business needs.

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IV. Collaborating with Project Team Members

In addition to clear communication, Dynamics 365 Finance Solutions Architects use their collaboration skills to work with their project team members throughout the day. They work closely with project managers, developers, functional consultants, and other stakeholders to discuss current projects, identify, and mitigate potential risks and issues, or get answers they need to accomplish their work items.

Depending on which phase the project is at, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects may work with the project manager to define the project scope and plan, collaborate with developers to design the solution, and then connect with functional consultants to ensure that their solution meets the business requirements. When issues arise, they work with various members of the team to develop strategies to minimize impact and share best practices. As part of a larger team, Finance Consultants also step up when other members need their advice or expertise in solving complex problems.

As a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect, it’s also important to ensure that technical solutions are thoroughly tested and meet quality standards before they are deployed to production. This involves collaborating with the development team to design and execute test plans, reviewing code for quality and consistency, and troubleshooting any issues that arise during testing. Later, they work together to create deployment plans in the production environment. Thus, collaboration is a critical aspect of the Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect’s role.

Here’s what Brandon Nash, a Finance Solution Architect at Avantiico, has to say about how collaboration helps him become successful in his role:

Brandon Nash

Finance Solution Architect, Avantiico

“Our team does a great job working together. Beyond those working on the same project to meet and discuss issues, everyone does a great job making time to help a colleague looking for assistance. Even though everyone has more than one thing on their plate, we make ourselves available to work with our co-workers as much as possible because no one person has all the right answers. Despite working remotely 90% of the time, we have a strong bond because of the time we spend collaborating and solutioning on our internal and external projects. Between my own learning along with collaborating with my team, I'm proud to say that Avantiico has helped me become a successful delivery Consultant that can bring value-added solutions to any and all projects.”

V. Providing Training and Support

As a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect, it’s essential to provide training and support to clients and end-users to ensure that they can effectively utilize the solution. This may involve developing training materials and conducting training sessions to educate clients on how to use the new system, as well as providing ongoing support to address any issues or questions they may have.

They use their skills to troubleshoot issues and resolve any technical problems in the system. They also work with the development team to identify and resolve any bugs or defects that are discovered later. In addition, they may also help develop documentation and user guides which is beneficial for clients, end-users, and team members.

By ensuring that clients and end-users are properly trained and supported, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects help to maximize the value of the solution and the long-term success of the system.

Challenges Faced by Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects

Working as a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect is not a walk in the park, but it is a rich and rewarding career for those who take on the challenge!

One of the primary challenges is keeping up with the ever-changing technology landscape and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in finance and accounting. Microsoft provides numerous learning paths for professionals to keep up-to-date with their latest solutions. One can also obtain certifications that can prove their expertise in the field, such as the Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert.

Another challenge is constantly ensuring the smooth integration of Dynamics 365 Finance with other systems and applications, which requires extensive technical knowledge and expertise. Additionally, architects must constantly analyze and optimize the system’s performance and security to ensure that it meets the client’s expectations and industry standards. As the business grows, they take into consideration the scalability and performance of the solutions they have created.

Conclusion

The role of a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect is multifaceted and requires a diverse range of skills and competencies. From designing technical solutions and collaborating with team members to managing clients and providing training and support, Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architects play an important role in delivering solutions that meet the needs of clients and end-users.

To be successful in this role, they must possess a deep understanding of the Dynamics 365 platform and its capabilities, as well as strong technical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders. They must also stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, commit to ongoing professional development, and continuously improve their skills and expertise.

By embracing the diverse range of responsibilities and skillsets required to become a Dynamics 365 Finance Solution Architect, they can make a real impact in helping businesses to achieve their goals and make a valuable contribution to the success of their own organization.