Microsoft Sure Step 2010 Exam Preparation – MB5-858

David Sutton, 15 August 2010

Sure Step is a program that is designed to provide Microsoft Partners with tools to provide a better, smoother implementation when dealing with Customers. It breaks the implementation process into several phases which contain Activities, Tasks and Sub-tasks.

Although the program itself is very simple to use with multiple ways of navigating through menus and documents, it requires an individual who understands the use for each document to gain the ability to really take full use of the Sure Step program.

From my point of view Sure Step is not so much a program, but more a library containing tools to provide the partner with the knowledge to help in an implementation of a Dynamics Product.

I am yet to sit the exam but in my preparation here are some tips that may help you.

Although this is a reasonably new product there are very comprehensive courses that provide anyone the skills to learn and become a real expert in Microsoft Sure Step. To begin, I recommend looking in the Microsoft learning site catalogue - https://dynamics.microsoftelearning.com/catalog/default.aspx

This Site provides five different Sure Step modules that go through:

- An introduction into Sure Step
- The implementation Phases in Sure Step
- How to manage an Implementation Project
- Customisation
- Several Project Scenarios

Note: This e-learning course states that it should take around 4 hours to complete – however, if you are taking notes it will most likely be longer than this.

Microsoft also provides a two day course that runs you through from the start until the end of the different phases and offerings. I highly recommend that you attend one of these if at all possible as it gives you a good comprehensive demonstration of the program.

Finally, one of the things you can do is to take the Proficiency Assessment; this allows you to get a feel for what the questions in the exam will be like.

The amount of prep and study undertaken I’m sure will be the deciding factor as well as having prior project management experience. All of the tools for learning and familiarising yourself with this program are provided for you by Microsoft.
Links:

Surestep e-learning catalog

Proficiency Assessment

Sure Step download

Already two of my colleges have sat and passed the exam and I will be sure to give you an update on how the exam goes for me.