Salesforce implementation guide: phases, timeline and checklist
The five phases of a Salesforce implementation, what happens in each, what drives the timeline, and a checklist to use before you sign a statement of work.
Read the full post →What does a Salesforce implementation partner do?
A Salesforce implementation partner turns your sales, service and marketing processes into a working Salesforce org. That includes discovery workshops, designing the data model and security, configuring automation, integrating other systems, migrating your data, training users and supporting go-live. The partner is accountable for the org working as agreed, not just for hours delivered.
Is This You?
Signs you need implementation.
- You are replacing spreadsheets, email and a patchwork of tools with one CRM.
- You have bought Salesforce licenses and need them configured before renewal comes around.
- You are adding a cloud, such as Service Cloud or Marketing Cloud, to an org you already run.
- Your team is moving off HubSpot, Dynamics or a legacy CRM (see migration).
What's Included
What we deliver.
Discovery and scope
Workshops with the people who use the system, a review of current tools and data, and a written scope with priorities.
Data model and security
Objects, fields, record types, roles and sharing designed around your real process and reporting needs.
Automation
Flows, assignment and approval rules that remove manual steps, built with configuration before custom code.
Integrations
Connections to ERP, email, billing, marketing and support tools so Salesforce is not another silo.
Data migration
Mapping, cleanup and deduplication before import, with history preserved where it matters.
Training and launch
Role-based training, go-live support and a short list of adoption measures to watch in the first 30 days.
- DiscoverWorkshops, current-state review and a written scope.
- DesignData model, security and automation agreed before building.
- BuildConfiguration in a sandbox, tested against real scenarios.
- LaunchData migration, training and go-live support.
- StabilizeFixes, adoption tracking and handover or managed services.
Manufacturing
A building-products manufacturer grew new accounts 203% after replacing mailed-in paper forms with Salesforce
203% · Growth in new accounts Technology ServicesA multi-region technology-services firm reached a 98% Salesforce health-check score in a 20-hour Jumpstart
98% · Salesforce health-check score CybersecurityA cybersecurity company unified sales and support on Salesforce and migrated 2,300 accounts in 6-8 weeks
2,300 · Accounts migrated Financial Services — PaymentsA payments ISO replaced two legacy systems with a Sales, Service, and Experience Cloud platform for 60+ agents
60+ · Agents on self-service portal InsuranceAn insurance agency replaced Google Sheets with Sales Cloud and strict per-agent record privacy
Automotive ComplianceAn automotive-compliance company consolidated onto Salesforce Marketing Cloud in two weeks
~2 wks · To go-live Platforms
Salesforce products we work with here.
Salesforce Sales CloudSalesforce Service CloudSalesforce Marketing CloudSalesforce Experience CloudSalesforce Revenue Cloud / CPQSalesforce Field Service
Related services
Featured Insight
Guides on salesforce implementation.
Written by the consultants delivering the work.
Implementation
FAQ
Salesforce Implementation questions.
How long does a Salesforce implementation take?
It depends on scope. A focused Sales Cloud setup for a technology-services firm went fully live within a 20-hour Jumpstart. A cybersecurity company consolidated sales and support and migrated 2,300 accounts in 6–8 weeks. Multi-cloud programs with ERP integration and several business units take longer, and we give you a timeline with the written scope.
Should we customize Salesforce or use it out of the box?
Configure first. Most requirements can be met with standard objects, Flow and page layouts, which are cheaper to maintain. Custom code is worth it when configuration cannot model the process, as with a broker-dealer that needed custom objects for both sides of capital-raising deals. We explain the trade-off in our guide on when to customize Salesforce.
What do you need from our team during an implementation?
A decision-maker who can settle process questions, a few people from each team who will use the system for workshops and testing, and access to the data you want moved in. Projects slow down when nobody owns decisions, so we agree on that owner at kickoff.
What happens after go-live?
We stay on for a stabilization period to fix issues and watch adoption. After that you can run the org yourself with the documentation and training we leave behind, or move to a managed services plan.
Do you implement Salesforce for small teams?
Yes. Our published work ranges from an insurance agency moving off Google Sheets to multi-cloud platforms for 60+ independent agents. Scope is sized to the team and budget.
Planning a Salesforce implementation?
Headquartered in St. Louis, working with companies across the U.S.
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