VincentChuWaiChow ERP / CRM Cutover Protocol
Purpose
This skill defines the controlled sequence for taking a Dynamics 365 ERP or CRM implementation from pre-production readiness through mock migration, data reconciliation, runbook execution, rollback validation, and the Success by Design (SbD) go-live gate to production go-live. It exists so that no cutover proceeds without tested rollback paths, reconciled data, and explicit stakeholder sign-off at each gate. It does not execute migration scripts or production deployments; it structures the process so human owners can make well-informed go/no-go decisions.
When to use
- A Dynamics 365 Finance, Supply Chain Management, Customer Engagement, or Business Central implementation is entering the Prepare phase and a cutover plan must be validated.
- A mock cutover has been completed and reconciliation findings must be reviewed before the real cutover is authorised.
- An organisation needs to confirm SbD go-live gate criteria before requesting Microsoft FastTrack go-live readiness review.
- An existing production environment must be refreshed or migrated to a new release and cutover risk must be assessed.
When NOT to use
- The go-live has already completed and this is post-go-live hypercare support — use the hypercare support runbook instead.
- The migration involves a third-party ERP not on the Dynamics 365 platform — this protocol is scoped to Dynamics 365.
- You need live production database or environment access to execute migration scripts — that requires the infrastructure owner; this protocol is recommendation-only.
Participating agents
d365-data-migration-cutover-agent(primary — mock migration, data reconciliation, cutover runbook, rollback plan)d365-success-by-design-governance-agent(SbD gate review, go-live readiness sign-off)d365-security-sod-governance-agent(separation of duties validation, security role sign-off)
Inputs required
- Cutover plan document (task list, owners, timing, rollback steps)
- Data migration strategy and scripts (for review, not execution)
- Mock cutover results from sandbox environment (including error log)
- Go-live checklist status from the SbD Prepare phase
- Security role assignments and SoD analysis for go-live users
- Integration test results and external dependency sign-off
Evidence required
- At least one successful mock cutover has been completed in a sandbox environment that mirrors production
- UAT has been completed and signed off by business stakeholders
- Performance testing is complete and SLAs are met
- Production environment is provisioned and matches the version in development/test environments
- Rollback plan has been tested and timing confirmed
Workflow
- Mock cutover review — Review mock cutover results. Identify all errors, timing overruns, and unresolved issues. Confirm the mock was run with production-representative data and all integration steps.
- Data reconciliation — Validate that migrated data matches source records within agreed tolerance thresholds. Identify exceptions and require sign-off from the data owner on accepted variances.
- Gate 1 — Reconciliation sign-off — Data owner and project lead must formally sign off that reconciliation thresholds are met. d365-data-migration- cutover-agent produces the reconciliation report. Do not proceed without this sign-off.
- Rollback plan validation — Confirm the rollback plan is documented, tested, and timed. Confirm who has authority to invoke rollback and the criteria that trigger it.
- Gate 2 — Rollback tested — Confirm rollback has been rehearsed in the sandbox. d365-data-migration-cutover-agent attests rollback is feasible within the cutover window. Do not proceed without this confirmation.
- SoD validation — d365-security-sod-governance-agent reviews production security role assignments for separation-of-duties violations. Flag any violations for remediation before go-live.
- SbD go-live gate — d365-success-by-design-governance-agent runs the SbD go-live readiness review against the full go-live checklist: solution scope, UAT sign-off, performance, integrations, data migration, change management, support readiness. Produce a go/conditional-go/no-go recommendation.
- Gate 3 — SbD go-live gate sign-off — Project steering committee and Microsoft FastTrack (where applicable) must confirm the go-live gate. This protocol never issues the final go/no-go autonomously.
- Cutover execution readiness — Confirm all people, environments, and communication plans are in place. Verify the cutover window is realistic given mock timing plus buffer.
- Post-cutover validation — After go-live, confirm data accuracy in production, integration health, and user access. Invoke hypercare plan.
Decision gates
| Gate | Condition | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Reconciliation sign-off | Data variances exceed agreed thresholds | Stop cutover; require data owner resolution |
| Rollback tested | Rollback not rehearsed or timing exceeds window | Stop cutover; require rollback rehearsal |
| SoD violations | Production roles contain SoD conflicts | Escalate to d365-security-sod-governance-agent; remediate before go-live |
| SbD go-live gate | Any SbD blocking issues unresolved | Stop cutover; require issue owner sign-off |
| Mock cutover errors | Critical errors unresolved from mock | Stop cutover; require second mock |
Refusal triggers
- Stop if no successful mock cutover has been completed — do not recommend production go-live without at least one successful rehearsal.
- Stop if reconciliation sign-off has not been obtained from the data owner.
- Stop if the rollback plan is untested or the rollback window exceeds what the business can tolerate.
- Stop if SbD blocking issues are unresolved — do not substitute judgement for the SbD gate process.
- Stop if credentials, production org IDs, or customer data are requested as inputs to this protocol — refuse and escalate.
Handoff rules
- All handoffs carry: project_id, skill_id, skill_version, invoked_by, gate_status, open_issues, rollback_status, sbd_verdict, do_not_do_list.
- Human go/no-go decisions are always documented with decision-maker name, date, and statement of accepted risk.
- SbD gate sign-off from d365-success-by-design-governance-agent is the minimum required before any production cutover recommendation.
KPIs
- Mock cutover success rate (errors per rehearsal)
- Data reconciliation pass rate (% within tolerance)
- Rollback rehearsal completion (yes/no with timing)
- SbD go-live gate outcome (go / conditional-go / no-go)
- Actual vs. planned cutover window duration
References
- https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/guidance/implementation-guide/prepare-to-go-live
- https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/guidance/implementation-guide/prepare-go-live-checklist
- https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/guidance/implementation-guide/prepare-go-live-cutover-strategy
- https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/guidance/fasttrack/go-live-workshops
- https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/guidance/implementation-guide/success-by-design