Across Dynamics 365, you're likely to find content that is intended for people with a specific type of job but might be accessed by people with other jobs. You'll also find content that is intended for people across their organization, regardless of their job or role. This article intends to describe the different roles as Microsoft perceives them.
If you can't find a definition that fits you, don't despair! It just means that we've merged different jobs into a role for simplicity. For example, an article might target a functional consultant but includes content that is relevant for an accountant or a purchasing manager. Or an article might target a developer but can be consumed and understood by a low-code app maker.
Role
Description
Customer
This role covers two definitions: In guidance and admin content, it's the organization that buys a license for a Microsoft product. In Dynamics 365 business functionality content, it's more often that organization's client or consumer.
Partner
This role covers two definitions: In guidance and admin content, it's the organization that sells licenses for Microsoft products. In developer or maker content, it's more often an independent software vendor, ISV, or app provider.
Functional consultant
This role covers people that are employed by a Microsoft reselling partner and who helps implement Dynamics 365 for a customer. The role covers many different names and job titles. Learn more at Functional consultants in Dynamics 365 implementations.
Solution architect
This role is employed by Microsoft or any other company and use their technical expertise to integrate and optimize technologies across an organization, tailoring solutions to meet business needs. Learn more at Solution architects in Dynamics 365.
Business owner
This role covers the person or people with the final say in which Microsoft services their organization will purchase.
Business analyst
This role typically applies to a person who is employed by the customer. The role covers many different names and job titles.
Developer
Typically a software engineer, but other profiles can also consume and understand the content. Their employer can be either a partner or the customer.
Internal admin
This role covers people that are employed by the organization that uses Dynamics 365 as system administrators or similar jobs. They must approve partner access to their organization's environments, for example.
Delegated admin
This role covers people that are employed by a Microsoft reselling partner and are assigned granular delegated admin privileges to their customer's tenants.
Stakeholders
In guidance content, you will also find articles, such as business processes, that are intended for a specific group of stakeholders, meaning people with different titles and jobs but a professional interest in certain departments or business areas and how Dynamics 365 is configured in those areas. The following table lists the terms we use for these people.
Term
Examples
Accounts payable stakeholders
Accounts payable manager
Accounts receivable stakeholders
Accounts receivable manager, Credit and collections manager, Revenue recognition manager
Treasury stakeholders
Treasurer, Cash manager, Controller
Finance stakeholders
CFO, Controller, Accounting manager
Sales stakeholders
VP of sales, Sales Directors, General Managers
Purchasing stakeholders
Director of Procurement, Purchasing Manager, Buyers
Production stakeholders
Production executive, Production planner, Production manager, Manufacturing manager, Research and development manager
Operations stakeholders
COO, Risk managers, Fraud managers
Retail store operations stakeholders
Store manager, General manager, District manager
Merchandising stakeholders
Merchandising manager
Marketing stakeholders
CMO, Marketing executive, Marketing manager
Warehouse stakeholders
Warehouse manager, Shift manager
Human resource stakeholders
CPO, HR executive, Director or human resources, Learning manager, Compensation manager, Benefits manager
As a Microsoft Dynamics 365 customer experience analyst, you’re responsible for configuring, customizing, and expanding the functionality of Dynamics 365 Sales to create business solutions that support, automate, and accelerate the company's sales process.