University Student Discipline Project (Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement)

The Challenge

A leading UK university faced a stalled project to implement Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (D365 CE) for managing student discipline. With over 100 backlog features, a small in-house team, and complex project demands, previous efforts had failed to deliver tangible progress. Stakeholder frustration grew, and the need for a project turnaround became urgent. The university sought a partner with the expertise to revitalise the project, clear the backlog, and deliver a functional system within a tight timeframe.

Client Overview

The client is a prominent UK university with a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation. The Student Discipline Project was designed to streamline and enhance the student discipline process through Dynamics 365, improving service quality and operational efficiency.

Solution

Org provided a Development as a Service (DaaS) model, deploying a core team of six experts, later expanded to eight to add value. This team adopted an Agile methodology for flexibility and rapid delivery. By engaging stakeholders daily and demonstrating consistent progress, Org rebuilt trust and refocused the project on delivering a functional MVP within four months.

• Key Achievements: Org transformed a stalled initiative into a success, delivering a functional MVP, auditing and managing the backlog, engaging university stakeholders, and establishing itself as a trusted partner with proven expertise in complex D365 implementations.

Implementation

The initial four-month engagement (4 March – 3 July 2024) prioritised tasks, refined processes, and aligned with multiple stakeholders. Org designed custom workflows and plugins specifically for the Student Discipline Customer Journey. Agile sprints with regular demos showcased progress, ensuring stakeholders remained engaged and informed.

Following the MVP delivery, the project was extended by two months (4 July – 11 September 2024) to refine and enhance the system further, optimising performance and user experience.

Additional Opportunities

Building on the project’s success, Org customised the Dynamics CE platform for the university’s business school, enabling the management of the entire student lifecycle, from lead generation to programme management, with integrations into existing systems such as Full Fabric and Logic ERP. Additionally, Org supported data migration from Full Fabric, aligned with its renewal in October 2025.

The Impact

Org’s engagement transformed the Student Discipline Project, delivering a functional MVP within the initial four-month period. By engaging stakeholders consistently, improving project transparency, and demonstrating progress with each sprint, Org established itself as a trusted partner, laying the groundwork for ongoing collaboration. The project was extended by two months, reflecting the university’s confidence in Org’s expertise.

Key outcomes include:

Conclusion

Through effective project management and technical expertise, Org revitalised the university’s Student Discipline Project, delivering a valuable solution that met client expectations. The success led to an expanded partnership with the business school, highlighting Org’s ability to align with client needs and deliver complex, tailored solutions with measurable success.