Data Validation Checklist

The Data Validation Checklist workspace within D365 F&O allows for identification, assignment, and tracking of data validations related to implementations, after updates, or other reasons to validate data. With proper security, new data projects can be created and configured as needed.

Tasks are created and linked to a menu item where users can validate the data in question. These tasks can be assigned to specific users, who can change the status of the task to In progress as they begin validating a specific set of data. Once completed, users can mark the validation task as Complete, which will capture their user ID and the date/time they mark the task as complete.  Users can add attachments to each task as necessary. 

The workspace provides a dashboard where leadership can oversee the progress that has been made with validating data.  A summary section of the workspace provides high-level counts of the number of remaining, completed, in progress, and not completed tasks in tile format. Each summary tile can be selected to review the data validation tasks that correspond to the specific status. 

A fully customizable setup allows for various areas or departments to be defined and assigned to tasks to further breakout progress tracking. 

Whether you are implementing D365 F&O for the first time, adding a new legal entity due to an acquisition, or validating data after an update, the Data Validation Checklist workspace is a fully customizable tool to identify, assign, and track data validation requirements. 

Templates can be created for different scenarios, such as month, quarter, and year end close. Each template is comprised of various tasks required to close the financial period. Each task is assigned to a Closing role and Task area. Each task can be assigned to various legal entities, allowing for only relevant tasks to be required for each company, removing the need to mark obsolete processes as complete or have legal entity specific templates. Once one template is created, it can be copied and modified to create a new template if needed.

 Tasks are assigned a due date in relation to the last day of the period and as well as a time on that date when the task should be completed by. Dependencies can be added to tasks, preventing dependent tasks to be marked as completed before the predecessor.  Tasks can also be associated with specific D365 F&O menu items, or an external URL can be inserted into the form to direct users to an external source that is required during the close process. Attachments or additional instructions can be added to the task on the template, which are then available for use while using the Financial Period Close workspace. Users can also add attachments as the complete tasks.

Closing schedules are defined for each period and associated with a specific template. Additionally, a calendar is defined of what days tasks should be considered due on. Due dates in relation to the last day of the period only consider days that are setup as working days.

As users complete tasks, the user id and date/time the task is marked complete is recorded. This data will be important as the financial period close process is reviewed month over month to identify tasks that may need additional resources or efficiency reviews. 

Leadership can view progress and see high-level counts of tasks that are past due, due today, and the count of all open tasks. Of the tasks due today, there is also a count of the tasks that are blocked, or dependent, on another task being completed. There is also visibility to drill into different task areas, legal entities, or assigned resource for progress. The financial period close workspace does not require changing legal entities to view progress.