CRM implementation checklist

1. Ownership and outcomes

• Name the executive sponsor, business owner, administrator, and data steward.
• Choose two to four measurable outcomes with a baseline.
• Define the scope and explicitly list what is postponed.

2. Process and data

• Map stages, owners, required fields, and handoffs.
• Inventory source systems and decide the system of record.
• Clean duplicates and test a sample migration.

3. Configuration

• Configure the minimum viable pipeline and permissions.
• Document naming conventions and field definitions.
• Add automations one at a time with an owner and fallback.

4. Pilot

• Use representative users and live work for two to four weeks.
• Track errors, exceptions, time-on-task, and support questions.
• Resolve critical issues before expanding access.

5. Training and launch

• Train by role using real scenarios, not a product tour.
• Publish short standard operating procedures.
• Provide a support channel and a clear escalation owner.

6. Measurement

• Review adoption, data completeness, response time, and outcomes.
• Compare results with the baseline; avoid vanity activity metrics.

7. Change control

• Review requested fields and automations before adding them.
• Maintain a change log, test plan, and rollback path.
• Remove reports and workflows nobody uses.