1. 🔍 Stakeholder Alignment & Governance

• Identify executive sponsor and project champion
• Form a cross-functional implementation team (Admissions, Marketing, IT, Financial Aid, etc.).
• Build Awareness among stakeholders by clearly articulating the reasons for CRM adoption.
• Establish roles, responsibilities, and communication cadence (RACI is great for this Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed)
• Define success metrics aligned with strategic enrollment and student experience goals
• If you do not have a documented project management process, create a Project Charter that speaks to Stakeholder Alignment and Governance.

2. 🧭 Change Management Readiness

• Conduct a change readiness assessment
• Create a stakeholder engagement plan.
• Develop a communications roadmap (internal and external messaging). Ensure communication explains the business drivers and strategic goals behind the transition to Element451.
• Prepare adoption metrics and feedback loops
• Identify likely areas of resistance and create a mitigation plan. Cultivate Desire by involving impacted users early and aligning CRM benefits with their daily challenges.

3. 🗂️ Data Integrity & Preparation

• Perform a system-wide data audit (across SIS, legacy CRM, and spreadsheets)
• Document and confirm the current data process with all fields and where they come from.
• Standardize key data fields (names, phone numbers, program codes, etc.)
• Eliminate duplicates and inactive records
• Map data sources and define which data will migrate
• Review data governance policies (e.g., FERPA compliance, retention rules)