The Microsoft Sure Step methodology also implemented a series of phases. Every phase has its own importance. Let's have a closer look at these phases one by one:

• Diagnostic: The main objective of this phase is to find out what is required. Customer requirements are gathered and appropriate Microsoft Dynamics applications are demonstrated to the customer based on their key requirements. Sometimes, a small Proof Of Concept (POC) is also built to show the capability of Microsoft Dynamics products. All of the requirements are collected in a requirement specification document. Once requirements are captured, the project moves to the next phase.
• Analysis: In this phase, the requirement documents produced in an earlier phase are analyzed properly and a feasibility study is done for customer requirements. Fit gap analysis is done to compare customer requirements with Microsoft Dynamics functionality and gaps are identified where customization and development are required. This phase also sets up a change control plan, which identifies how new requirements will be added to the project scope if required.
• Design: This phase is used to prepare the design and configure Microsoft Dynamics applications based on the requirements. The team works on both the function and technical design of the application. The screen layout of the application is prepared and approval is taken from the customer. The technical design document is prepared in this phase, which has details of any customization and development required. 
• Development: In this phase, code development is done and the system is built based on the technical design document. If the system requires integration with a third-party system, that is also built in this phase. Once development is done, all of the system modules are tested by QA team members. If the current system requires any data migration scripts or procedure, this is also developed in this phase.
• Deployment: In this phase, a Microsoft Dynamics solution installed on the customer location QA servers and UAT is performed against all of the requirements to make sure the final product is based on customer expectations. Key users are trained in this phase to use the new system. A go-live checklist is prepared, which includes critical configuration for production deployment. Finally, after the UAT is completed, production cutover is performed based on the previously decided cutover timings to release the project for end users who will be using the systems in their day-to-day work.
• Operation: This phase is the last phase of the project, where the final review of the system is done and the post-deployment support strategy is decided.

The Microsoft Sure Step methodology takes less time to implement Microsoft Dynamics for the customer as it includes a set of tools, required templates, and best practices.