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Project Update

Big news

CRM implementation officially launched on Thursday, June 5th! This marks an exciting milestone as we begin transforming how we connect, collaborate, and engage. There’s a lot ahead, and we’re thrilled to have you on this journey. Click here to access the slide deck from our kickoff event!

Sprints officially kicked off the week of June 16th! With cross-functional teams diving into focused work, we’re now translating vision into action, one sprint at a time. Each iteration is packed with collaboration, innovation, and real progress toward bringing our CRM to life.

What is a sprint? 

A “sprint” refers to work done within a specific time frame. Our sprints will typically run for 6 weeks with 2 weeks of planning, 2 weeks of building, and 2 weeks of testing. Each sprint will be topic-based (Epic) and addressed by a cross functional team that concentrates on a defined set of tasks or user stories.

The first “sprint”, led by Attain Partners and focused on Bio/Demo, began the week of June 16 and will continue through the end of the calendar year.

You can find more details about our Sprints linked click here.

What is an Epic?

A large body of work, such as a major feature or capacity, that can be broken down into smaller tasks, work items and user stories that will be worked on across multiple sprints.

How do sprints work in this implementation? 

  • Sprint Duration – Typical length of sprints 6 weeks with 2-week cycles.
  • Sprint Planning – How the team prioritizes user stories and tasks for each sprint.
  • Sprint Execution – Participants work together to configure, test, and validate Salesforce features.
  • Sprint Review – Stakeholders provide feedback on completed work.
  • Epic Retrospective – Lessons learned and process improvements for future sprints.

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Project Update

CRM Demo Update – Vendor Demo

SMU Colleagues,

The DEA CRM demos are next week! You are welcome to join as many sessions as you like. Attached you will find the agendas and a recommended session guide.  Coffee, bagels, and fruit will be provided in the morning.

Your participation will be crucial in evaluating the two solutions and ensuring we choose the best fit for SMU. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at deacrm@mail.smu.edu .

Demo Schedule:

  • 9/30: Kindsight – Ascend – Day 1
  • 10/1  Kindsight – Ascend – Day 2
  • 10/2: Affinaquest – Advancement RM – Day 1
  • 10/3: Affinaquest – Advancement RM – Day 2

What to Expect:

  • Live demonstrations of the CRM solutions
  • Q&A sessions with vendor representatives
  • Insights into best practices and use cases
  • Evaluation/feedback forms

How to Join: Demos will take place in the Hughes-Trigg Oren Auditorium. Sessions will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.

All the best,

The CRM Selection Committee

Tim Aronson Aren Cambre Bridget Cartmill
Sarah Daly Lane Duncan Brennan Hadden
Curt Herridge Jesse Hopkins Paula Jewell
Chris Kollar Diane Kucera Kelsey Lang
Jill Rogers Heather Shaw Astria Smith
Rob Strauss
Kindsight Agenda Affiaquest Agenda Recommended Sessions
Categories
Project Update

CRM Assessment Update – September 2024

This monthly update of the CRM assessment project will summarize key steps and highlight critical goals.

Project Statement

Based on contract changes with Blackbaud and the aging of BBEC (Blackbaud CRM – our alumni/donor database of record), DEA has decided to look for a potential replacement. In May, the CRM Selection Committee was formed with a goal to research and recommend a new CRM solution to the Senior Vice President for DEA. Since then, the Committee has met to gather, define, and review requirements, define use cases, review integration needs and collectively support this change. The selection will lead to a CRM Implementation project with an estimated go-live date in FY27.

Progress and Achievements

Requests for Proposals (RFPs) were sent to the vendors below on 7/29/2024. Included with each RFP was a requirements matrix that identified over 1,250 features we either require or strongly desire from our next CRM, understanding that what we choose must be able to help us work more efficiently and effectively. Vendor responses were due by 8/29 and the selection committee has begun to review proposals. Based on the information received in the proposals, vendors may be invited to campus for on-site demos. These will be open to all to join. If you have any specific questions you’d like to submit, click HERE.

Vendors under consideration

  • Affinaquest – Their solution is called Advancement RM. It is one of two Salesforce solutions with a lot of momentum.
  • Ellucian – Their solution is CRM Advance. Ellucian has a long history of providing higher education advancement CRMs and has about 13% of the market.
  • Kindsight – Their solution is called Ascend. This is the other Salesforce solution with a lot of momentum.

Looking Forward

  • 9/30 – 10/3 – On-Site Demos – Look for invitations soon
  • 10/23 – 10/27 –   Follow-Up Questions and Meetings
  • November – Final Recommendation for our CRM Solution