Certified vs. Non-Certified: How to Spot a True Dynamics 365 Implementation Expert

Adopting Microsoft Dynamics 365 marks an important milestone for every organization. Given that you could be reinventing your company’s financials, optimizing the supply chain, or upgrading customer service, one thing that stands out is the choice of an implementation partner.

With countless consultants and firms that render services on Dynamics 365, the crucial question is – how do you identify who is genuinely competent? One pointer which you may seek is endorsement, but is certification everything? Can professionals who are not certified still do a decent job? More importantly, what do you need to identify in a Dynamics 365 professional?

In case you are having trouble distinguishing a genuinely talented and reliable Dynamics 365 implementation expert, we will walk you through the process.

What Does “Certified” Mean in the Dynamics 365 World?

A Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 consultant is someone who holds one or more Microsoft certificates that validate their expertise on module-specific configuration, deployment, and management for various components of Dynamics 365. These certifications are tailored around actual industry scenarios and recognized business standards.

For instance:

The Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant Associate certification ensures the consultant can perform budgeting, fixed assets, cost accounting and more.

Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate deals with inventory control, procurement, production control and logistics.

Advanced positions such as Dynamics Architect Specialist demand comprehensive knowledge of functional and technical designs at all levels within the Dynamics ecosystem.

In short: certification proves that a consultant possesses a skill set and did not simply make baseless claims.

Why Certification Matters.

Certifications shouldn’t give the impression that someone will achieve accuracy and perfection. That being said, they do provide a solid starting point when it comes to trustworthiness and skill. Here are the reasons why:

1. Verified Knowledge.

A consultant who is Microsoft certified has passed all the tests of documented Microsoft certification, meaning they have a tested and validated skill like implementing, configuring, and troubleshooting issues with Dynamics 365 in real business environments.

2. Current Knowledge.

Recertification becomes critical if microsoft certified professionals hope to keep being Microsoft certified, and that means a consultant knowing they have new features and changes literally every few months makes them more reliable.

3. More Accurate Solutions.

Certified experts are less likely to ignore industry standards such as best practices, gross customizations, and decisions made in—which influence— longterm goals more often. Instead, their custom unbounding-trained emphasis ensures durable tenable engineered solutions, not patchwork answers.

4. Other Microsoft Benefits.

You might improve your other Microsoft resource accesses like proprietary support, Microsoft won’t disclose information like escalation, and roadmaps for clients who implemented partnered solutions and employed verified staff to work as implementation partners.

Where Non-Certified Consultants Might Let You Down

Although some non-certified consultants have practical experience; there are important considerations to keep in mind:

• Absence of standardized measurement: Lack of certification means that there is no measurable skill criterion to gauge them. Their previous experience may not be relevant to the needs of your business.
• Risk of antiquated practices: They may ignore new features, outdated masquerading configurations, circumventing methods, ignore prescribed technical setups which could result in technical debt.
• Unpredictable Standards: Non-certified consultants without Microsoft supervision may use unsupervised personal frameworks rather than standard frameworks.
• Not all non-certified professionals should be viewed negatively, but you will need to do additional legwork.
• Identifying a Genuine Expert in Dynamics 365 Implementation

These are the characteristics of a reliable Dynamics 365 consultant or partner regardless of the certification:

1. Relevant Certifications

Always verify for certification documents especially for the modules you plan to implement; they can also be cross-checked on Microsoft Learn and LinkedIn.

2. Relevant Industry Exposure

Have they dealt with businesses from your industry? Are your business model, compliance rules and lexicon familiar to them?

3. Effective Communication

Are they able to simplify complex technical concepts? Effective consultants speak the language of technology and business users alike.

4. Implementation Methodology

Do they follow Microsoft’s Sure Step or Agile frameworks methodologies? It is a good sign when a professional has a plan in place.

5. Ongoing Support

What do you believe happens after the go-live phase? A real expert will provide post-implementation help, will train users, and will even optimize the system and monitor its performance.

Bonus Tip: Work With a Certified Microsoft Partner

Set your sights beyond individual consultants and deal with a Microsoft Partner organization. These companies have met Microsoft’s customer satisfaction, performance, and staff certification requirements. The designation Gold or Solutions Partner is reliable and indicates high trust.

Final Thoughts

“Uncertified” is not synonymous with useless. The lack of certification does not mean that a non-certified professional won’t bring any value; a Dynamics 365 certified professional makes your chance of success much greater while reducing the risks you’ll take.

One thing needs to be understood – don’t solely look for someone who “knows the system” because they are “system experts.” Look for someone who knows your business as well, has the necessary tools for it, and will support all the way through the process- right from pre-launch to post-launch.

So, as you reflect on your next Dynamics 365 consultant, ask yourself:

“Are they certified, experienced, and committed to my success?”

That defines a true expert.