In this chapter, we will examine the installation of Sure Step and setting it up for a specific project including some of the key choices we need to make, and activities that should be undertaken at this time. After reading this chapter, we should be able to: download and install the Sure Step client, create an appropriate Sure Step project, and initiate key activities for our Dynamics AX project.

Sure Step is the methodology created by Microsoft for implementing Dynamics projects. Although Sure Step includes content for Dynamics: NAV, AX, GP, SL, and CRM, our book is only focusing on AX. In some cases, one Dynamics project will be split into multiple Sure Step projects. This may be the case for projects covering one or more phases or for global rollouts, with sub-projects covering multiple territories or lines of business.

Sure Step has evolved through several versions, and gains content and maturity through each one. There would be no need to use an earlier version, so we have only considered the current version in this book (Sure Step 2010).

Sure Step is designed to be used by both customers and partners, and although it is currently most often used by partners, it is becoming more and more common for customers to follow Sure Step methodology when implementing ERP systems. In this book, we use "project" to describe an implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX. In most cases, one Microsoft Dynamics AX project will be the subject of one Microsoft Sure Step project.

For more comprehensive information on Sure Step, you should refer the Microsoft training materials, or the Packt Publishing title Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2010 ISBN 978-1-849681-10-0 by Chandru Shankar and Vincent Bellefroid.

This chapter will introduce the Sure Step methodology, explain how to install the Sure Step client and create new projects, discuss the various engagement and project types that are available within Sure Step, and explore the steps that need to be taken during the project initiation phase.