CRM Implementation: Timeframes for Successful Deployment

Are you contemplating a transition to a new CRM system and wondering how long the implementation process might take? It's a valid consideration, as migrating data and integrating a new CRM into your existing sales and marketing framework are not overnight tasks. Alignment and efficiency in this process are crucial to project success, as misaligned expectations and prolonged implementation inevitably lead to business interruption, poor adoption and diminished ROI.

Understanding the Timeline for CRM Implementation

Recent studies, including a comprehensive analysis of the Total Cost of Ownership for major CRM platforms (including HubSpot and Salesforce), reveal insightful trends regarding common timelines for CRM implementation projects. As the graphic below suggests, timelines vary widely: from a period of just 1 month through periods of over 1 year.

Many factors contribute to this wide range in implementation periods. And while a "quicker is better" mentality generally holds true when seeking ROI, due diligence and a structured approach to change management should never be compromised in a race to that intended value.

Notably, about 78% of CRM implementation projects take between 3 and 6 months to complete. And about 43% - nearly half - of businesses experienced an implementation period of four or more months.

This data should be informative for any enterprise leader who is seeking to validate the need for effective change management when investing in a CRM implementation project. regardless of the scope of the project, there will be an investment of time required to maximize project impact and ROI.

Assuming the organizational alignment required for a successful project is established and that the organization employs or is partnered with people who have the experience required to effectively manage a CRM implementation,  the complexity of the project itself will be the primary determining factor of time to completion.

What are some factors that may influence whether your project will fall under or over that 3-4 month mark? If three or more of these are relevant to you, then you're likely looking at more than 3 months to implement a properly scoped, sustainable solution.

• • How many deal and/or ticket pipelines will you be migrating or developing?

  • Do you currently employ any custom objects?

  • Any particular object associations to retain in the new model?

  • How many other platforms or data sources are currently integrated or will be integrated?

  • Are you managing renewals and/or partner sales in your CRM?

Key Steps in CRM Implementation

Successful CRM design accounts for all stages of the customer journey, and a successful CRM rollout involves several critical steps:

1. Assess Your Current CRM Setup and Goals: Understanding your existing CRM's structure and establishing clear goals for the adoption of a new platform helps in identifying the necessary features and requirements for the new system.

2. Data Modeling and Compatibility: Evaluate how your current data model will translate into that of the new CRM. This step is crucial for ensuring seamless data migration and establishing necessary processes and automations.

3. Data Field Mapping for Migration: Prepare your new CRM by setting up the necessary fields to facilitate a clean transfer of data from the old system.

4. Process Development and Workflow Automation: Construct the foundational workflows and automations based on your earlier assessments to support your team's operations.

5. Data Migration and Integration: With everything in place, start importing your data, ensuring it's formatted correctly for the new system.

6. User Acceptance Testing: Involve a select group of end-users to test the new CRM and its processes, gathering feedback and making adjustments as needed.

7. Beta Testing: Before a full rollout, have a small group use the new CRM exclusively to identify any issues or improvements needed.

8. Official Launch: After successful beta testing and necessary approvals, introduce the new CRM to your entire team.

9. Training and Support: In conjunction with and immediately post-launch, provide a period of structured, prescriptive training and support to help users adopt the new system.

10. Post Implementation - Continuous Improvement: As your business evolves, so should your CRM. Regularly review and optimize the system and revenue-driving processes it supports to meet changing needs.

    ---

Customization, Training, and User Adoption

The degree of platform customization and process-specific training provided will not only impact time to value but also significantly impact user adoption and overall ROI.

To support change management and ensure meaningful adoption, HarvestROI employs our proprietary platform, HarvestHub. HarvestHub enhances training efforts and user engagement by seamlessly integrating into daily workflows, offering explainer cards, analytics tools, and customizable notifications. 

Our article on avoiding common CRM implementation mistakes presents factors that are crucial for a successful CRM rollout.