Interview questions and answers on IT ERP migrations and/or deployments

These interview questions cover both functional and technical aspects of ERP migration and deployment for
platforms like SAP, Oracle ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365), NetSuite, Workday, and Infor.

🔹 General ERP Migration Questions

Q1: What are the key phases of an ERP migration project?
Answer: The key phases are:
1 Assessment & Planning – Identify business needs, legacy system analysis, stakeholder alignment.
1️⃣
2️⃣Data Preparation & Cleansing – Extract, transform, clean, and validate data for migration.
3️⃣System Configuration & Customization – Set up the new ERP, customize modules, and map workflows.
4️⃣Data Migration & Integration – Extract data, transform formats, and load it into the new system.
5️⃣Testing & Validation – Perform functional, performance, and security testing.
6️⃣User Training & Change Management – Conduct training, documentation, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
7️⃣Go-Live & Support – Deploy, monitor, and provide post-migration support.

🔹 Data Migration-Specific Questions

Q2: What are the key data migration challenges in an ERP project?
Answer:
✅ Data Quality Issues – Duplicate, inconsistent, or outdated data.
✅ Data Mapping Complexity – Differences in data structures between old and new ERP.
✅ Data Volume & Performance – Handling large-scale data extraction and transformation.
✅ Downtime & Business Continuity – Minimizing system downtime during migration.
✅ Regulatory Compliance – Ensuring GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX compliance.
✅ User Adoption – Training users on new data formats and workflows.

Remove Duplicates & Inconsistencies, Data Accuracy & Integrity – Validate migrated data against legacy records.

 Data Analytics solutioning-

 Database Architecture and Design Exposure . Working knowledge of Continuous Integration (CI)/ Continuous
Deployment (CD).
 Data Integration
 Data Quality, Data Profiling, Data Preparation and Data Cleansing - Capability to review (profile) a data set to
establish its quality against a defined set of parameters and to highlight data where corrective action (cleansing) is
required.
 Data Visualisation, Data modelling

Q3: What are the best practices for ERP data cleansing?
Answer:
✔ Remove Duplicates & Inconsistencies – Identify redundant records using data profiling tools.
✔ Standardize Naming Conventions – Ensure uniformity in naming conventions.
✔ Validate Data Completeness – Check for missing values in critical fields.
✔ Apply Business Rules – Ensure data aligns with business policies.
✔ Use Automated Tools – Leverage ETL tools (Informatica, Talend, Azure Data Factory, SSIS).
✔ Test & Validate Before Migration – Conduct trial migrations to catch errors early.

Q4: Explain different ERP data migration strategies.

Answer:
🔹 Big Bang Migration – Complete migration in a single cutover. (High risk, faster deployment).
🔹 Phased Migration – Move modules in stages (e.g., Finance first, then HR, then Supply Chain).
🔹 Parallel Migration – Run old and new systems simultaneously for a period. (Safe but expensive).
🔹 Hybrid Migration – Mix of phased and parallel migration depending on business needs.

🔹 ERP Deployment-Specific Questions

Q5: What are the different types of ERP deployment models?
Answer:
✅ On-Premise ERP – Installed and maintained within the organization’s IT infrastructure.
✅ Cloud ERP (SaaS) – Hosted and managed by a third-party provider (e.g., SAP S/4HANA Cloud, D365 F&O).
✅ Hybrid ERP – A combination of on-premise and cloud ERP solutions.

Q6: How do you ensure business continuity during an ERP deployment?

Answer:
✔ Parallel Run Strategy – Keep the legacy system operational until the new ERP stabilizes.
✔ Comprehensive Testing – Conduct UAT, performance, and security testing.
✔ Change Management – Provide adequate training and support.
✔ Data Backup & Rollback Plan – Have a disaster recovery (DR) strategy in place.
✔ Real-Time Monitoring – Use BI dashboards to track performance post-go-live.

🔹 Business Analyst (BA) Role-Specific Questions

Q7: What are the key responsibilities of a Business Analyst in an ERP migration?
Answer:
📌 Requirement Gathering – Work with stakeholders to define business needs and ERP features.
📌 Gap Analysis – Identify differences between current and future-state ERP functionality.
📌 Data Mapping & Validation – Ensure accurate mapping of fields from legacy ERP to new ERP.
📌 Testing & UAT – Validate workflows, reports, and system performance.
📌 Training & Documentation – Create manuals, FAQs, and process documentation.
📌 Change Management – Ensure user buy-in and smooth transition.

Q8: How do you handle resistance to change in an ERP project?

Answer:
✔ Stakeholder Involvement Early – Engage users during the design phase.
✔ Transparent Communication – Explain benefits and provide regular updates.
✔ User Training & Support – Conduct hands-on workshops and provide self-help guides.
✔ Change Champions – Appoint super users to advocate adoption within departments.
✔ Phased Rollout – Reduce risk by implementing ERP in stages.
🔹 Project Manager (PM) Role-Specific Questions
Q9: How do you manage risks in an ERP migration project?
Answer:
✔ Risk Assessment Matrix – Identify and categorize risks (Data, Compliance, Budget, Scope).
✔ Stakeholder Engagement – Conduct regular alignment meetings.
✔ Pilot Testing & PoC – Validate migration strategy with a small dataset.
✔ Contingency Plan – Define rollback and backup strategies.
✔ Agile Approach – Adapt based on continuous feedback loops.

Q10: How do you measure the success of an ERP migration?

Answer:
📌 Data Accuracy & Integrity – Validate migrated data against legacy records.
📌 System Performance – Ensure response times meet SLAs.
📌 User Adoption & Training Effectiveness – Track end-user adoption rates.
📌 Business Process Efficiency – Measure improvement in process automation.
📌 Cost vs. ROI – Compare projected cost savings vs. actual ROI post-migration.

🔹 Technical & Integration Questions

Q11: How do you integrate an ERP system with third-party applications?
Answer:
✔ APIs & Web Services – Use REST/SOAP APIs for real-time integration.
✔ Middleware Solutions – Leverage Mulesoft, Dell Boomi, Azure Logic Apps.
✔ ETL Pipelines – Use Informatica, Talend, SSIS for batch data movement.
✔ Event-Driven Integration – Use Kafka or Azure Event Hub for real-time event processing.

Q12: What KPIs do you track during ERP migration?

Answer:
📌 Migration Completion Rate (%) – Percentage of migrated data vs. planned.
📌 Data Accuracy (%) – Number of data errors post-migration.
📌 System Downtime (Hrs) – ERP unavailability during migration.
📌 User Satisfaction Score (1-10) – Feedback from end-users.
📌 Operational Efficiency Gains (%) – Process automation improvements.

🚀 Final Tips for ERP Migration Interviews:

✔ Use real-world examples from past projects to demonstrate hands-on experience.
✔ Highlight challenges faced and how you solved them.
✔ Explain the importance of change management and business impact analysis.
✔ Show familiarity with ERP tools & integrations (SAP, D365, Oracle, Workday).
✔ Emphasize cross-functional collaboration between business and IT teams.

Would you like scenario-based questions or case studies for ERP migration interviews? 😊

Tools & Technologies for D365 Data Migration

 Microsoft Data Management Framework (DMF)
  Data Import Export Framework (DIXF)
 Azure Data Factory
 Power Automate (for low-code data integration)
 SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
 KingswaySoft or Scribe for third-party ETL solutions

Challenges in Data Migration

 Data inconsistencies & quality issues
 Mapping complexities due to different data models
 Downtime & business continuity risks
 Volume of data affecting performance
 Security & compliance considerations

Solutions:

 Use data profiling tools to clean data before migration.

 Break migration into phases (e.g., master data first, then transactions).
 Use batch processing for large datasets to optimize performance.
 Perform parallel testing to compare old and new systems.

4. What tools are used for data migration in Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Answer:
Commonly used tools for D365 ERP data migration include:

 Data Management Framework (DMF) – Primary tool for importing/exporting data.

 Data Import Export Framework (DIXF) – Used for batch data migration.
 Azure Data Factory (ADF) – For large-scale data integration and automation.
 SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) – ETL processing and data transformation.
 KingswaySoft or Scribe – Third-party data integration solutions.
 Power Automate – For low-code data workflows.

5. How do you ensure data quality during migration?

Answer:
To ensure high-quality data migration:

1. Data Cleansing – Remove duplicate, outdated, or incorrect records before migration.

2. Data Validation – Perform data integrity checks before loading.
3. Error Handling – Log and correct migration failures.
4. Testing & Reconciliation – Validate the migrated data against legacy data.
5. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – Involve end-users in testing to verify business rules.

7. How do you handle data mapping in Microsoft Dynamics 365?

Answer:
Data mapping is done using Data Entities in DMF/DIXF. The steps include:
 1. Identify legacy system fields.
2. Map them to corresponding D365 fields using data templates.
3. Use Excel templates or SQL scripts for mapping transformations.
4. Validate mappings by performing test imports in a sandbox.
8. What is the Data Management Framework (DMF) in D365?
Answer:
DMF is a built-in data integration tool in D365 that helps import, export, and manage data efficiently. It allows:

 Staging of data before import.

 Batch processing for large migrations.
 Transformation and validation rules to ensure data integrity.
 Predefined Data Entities for structured data handling.

What is DIXF: Key Features of DIXF:

1. Data Import & Export – Supports bulk data transfer from external sources like Excel, CSV, XML, and SQL
databases.
2. Data Staging & Validation – Uses a staging table to allow data verification before importing into D365 tables.
3. Predefined Data Entities – Provides a structured way to manage data mapping between legacy systems and
D365.
4. Batch Processing Support – Handles large data volumes using batch jobs.
5. Data Transformation – Can apply business rules to modify data before loading.
6. Supports Multiple Data Sources – Can integrate with Azure SQL, OData, and APIs for complex migrations.

How DIXF Works?

1. Extract Data – Get data from a legacy system (CSV, XML, SQL).
2. Transform & Cleanse – Modify data to match D365 formats.
3. Stage Data – Load into the DIXF staging table for validation.
4. Validate & Process – Apply business logic and verify data integrity.
5. Load into D365 – Move data into final tables for business operations.

Common Use Cases of DIXF

 Initial ERP Data Migration – Moving data from SAP, Oracle, or older Dynamics versions.
 Ongoing Data Integration – Regular data updates between external sources and D365.
 Data Cleansing & Reconciliation – Using staging tables to fix inconsistencies before final import.

Difference Between DIXF (Templates, ETL, Business Rules) and DMF (Process and Tools)
Feature DIXF (Data Import Export Framework) DMF (Data Management Framework)
Purpose Bulk import/export of data Broader framework for data management
Uses Batch Data Migration, integration Migration, staging, business logic
Staging Table Yes Yes
User Interface Technical, SQL-based User-friendly with templates
Example: Using DIXF to Import Customers into D365
1. Navigate to Data Management Workspace.
2. Select Import Project, choose the Customer data entity.
3. Upload a CSV/Excel file with customer details.
4. Validate data in the staging table.
5. Apply mapping and run the import process.
6. Verify customer records in D365.

Conclusion
DIXF is an essential tool for data migration and integration in Dynamics 365, enabling businesses to transition
smoothly from legacy systems. Its ability to validate, transform, and efficiently process large datasets makes it a critical
component of ERP implementations.

9. How do you perform a test migration before going live?

Answer:
A test migration ensures that data moves correctly and processes work as expected. Steps include:

1. Extract a subset of data from the legacy system.

2. Load data into a test environment (Sandbox) using DMF.
3. Run validation scripts to check for errors.
4. Compare migrated data with source data for consistency.
5. Perform functional testing by running business processes.
6. Adjust mappings and retry until results are accurate.

10. What are some best practices for ERP data migration in Dynamics 365?
Answer:

 Start with a detailed data migration plan including scope, timelines, and risks.
 Perform data cleansing before migration to avoid garbage-in, garbage-out issues.
 Use standard Data Entities where possible to avoid custom coding.
 Migrate in phases (Master data first, then transactions) to minimize risk.
 Perform multiple test runs to validate data accuracy.
 Ensure stakeholder involvement for business rule validation.
 Monitor post-migration performance and resolve issues proactively.

11. What is the difference between a full and incremental data migration?
Answer:

 Full Migration: Moves all data from the legacy system in one go. Used when switching to D365 entirely.
 Incremental Migration: Moves data in phases or only updates new/changed records. Used for staged rollouts
or minimizing downtime.

12. How do you handle transactional data migration in D365?

Answer:
Transactional data (e.g., open invoices, orders) must be migrated carefully:

 Only migrate active records to prevent data clutter.

 Use cut-off dates to define which transactions to transfer.
 Reconcile financial records with legacy reports.
 Verify process dependencies to ensure transactions don’t break workflows.
13. What security measures should be considered during data migration?
Answer:

 Data encryption in transit and at rest (Azure Security).

 Role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict sensitive data.
 Audit trails & logging to track migration changes.
 Compliance with GDPR, SOX, or industry regulations.

14. How do you monitor and troubleshoot issues post-migration?

Answer:
After go-live:

 Run system diagnostics to check for errors.

 Use Power BI reports to compare old vs. new data.
 Check business processes (e.g., invoicing, reporting) for inconsistencies.
 Set up logging & alerts in Azure Monitor for system performance tracking.
 Provide user training to handle new workflows smoothly.

15. How do you manage a rollback in case of migration failure?

Answer:

 Back up data before starting migration.

 Use sandbox environments for trial migrations.
 Implement checkpoints to track data load progress.
 Have a rollback plan using backups or re-import scripts.

Links:

https://www.itransition.com/erp/migration

https://www.google.com/search?
q=data+mapping+complexity+example+in+erp+system&sca_esv=25cf531ee370dd12&sxsrf=AHTn8zrN1OGviLa8RG4
x1rvZkStqZKbsww
%3A1741595891940&source=hp&ei=86TOZ4aoN6yywPAPpornkQw&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAZ86zAz6aWwD7jhf7nX_
J6vo-
C4_0idi0&oq=data+mapping+complexity+example+in+ERP&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IiZkYXRhIG1hcHBpbmcgY29tcGxle
Gl0eSBleGFtcGxlIGluIEVSUCoCCAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYnwVI2lhQAFj1RXAAeACQAQCYAdICoAGVLaoBCTE
0LjE2LjUuM7gBAcgBAPgBAZgCJqACijDCAgoQIxiABBgnGIoFwgIEECMYJ8ICBRAAGIAEwgIFEC4YgATCAgsQLhiABBjRAxj
HAcICCBAuGIAEGNQCwgILEC4YgAQYxwEYrwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIIEAAYFhgKGB
7CAggQABiABBiiBMICCBAAGAgYDRgewgIHECEYoAEYCpgDAJIHCTEzLjE0LjYuNaAHi88B&sclient=gws-wiz

https://www.google.com/search?
q=microsoft+dynamics+365+erp+modules&rlz=1C5CHFA_enQA912QA913&oq=microsoft+dynamics+365+er&gs_lcrp
=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgGEAAYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQ
ABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCjIwMzAwajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBcD-
9ib4jI6y8QXA_vYm-IyOsg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

What is MS Dynamics 365?

It is a modular application that work together that can be configured and customized to meet your end and integrated
with other applications/systems.

CRM (front side) - Customer selling, services, marketing (Sales, Service, Marketing).

Sales CRM – Accounts. Contacts, Leads, Opportunities, Activities.

Customer Service – Case Management. Queues, SLAs, routing, Knowledge Base, Omnichannel Service, Self-Service

Field Service – Work Order, Service Schedule and Dispatch, Mobile, IoT

Marketing – Real-time marketing, Segmenting, SMS, Email, Forms & pages, Customer Journeys, Subscription, Consent
Mgmt.

Customer Insights – Segmenting, Predictive Modellling, Activate/export, Cust data platform, unified cust profile, fully
connected to dynamics 365

Customer Voice – Cust satisfatcion, NPS, sentiment analysis, triggers, alerts, reporting.

ERP (back office) – finance, inventory, supply chain,

Finance – GL, AP, AR, Cost Accounting, Project Accounting

Supply Chain – Inventory Mgmt, Production & Distribution Planning, Demand Forecasting.

Commerce -

HR -

Project Operations -

Business Central – Sales, Service, Finance, Operations.

Intelligent Order Processing, Fraud Protection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bObZ5LbW1S4

Accounts Payables
Accounts Receivables
Prepayment Invoice Process

Normal: Accounts Receivables > Payments > Payments Journal

Budget Planning

SET UP, CONFIGURE

Dimensions – Cost Center, Business Unit, Department, Item Group,