BPC 101: The 9‑Layer Bean Dip of Dynamics 365

Because every great implementation starts with the right snacks.

Cold‑open | why a catalog and not another PowerPoint?

Picture the conference room spread before kickoff: sticky notes, coffee, and an Excel workbook the size of Texas (and everything is bigger down here, trust me). Someone mutters, “This is our process map?” Another quips, “I’ve seen cleaner spaghetti.” (unfortunately for y'all, the jokes do not getter better from here).

Microsoft felt that pain too, so they published the Business Process Catalog (BPC) which is a single workbook of officially named processes with unique IDs, ready to slice and serve.

Dad joke warm‑up: What kind of shoes to frogs wear? Open-toad sandals.

What is the Business Process Catalog?

The catalog is an Excel workbook updated quarterly that lists every end‑to‑end scenario, process area, and supporting task Microsoft recognizes inside Dynamics 365 apps. Each row carries an immutable ID so partners, customers, and engineering speak the same language when they say “Order‑to‑Cash” or “Manage Project Forecasts.” Microsoft created it to:

• standardize scope conversations

• feed telemetry and Copilot prompts

• shorten discovery by giving you a starter list instead of a blank page

You can download the latest version straight from Microsoft’s site: aka.ms/BusinessProcessCatalog.

Why a 9‑layer bean dip?

Four catalog columns (Scenario → Process Area → Process → Pattern) are great, but experienced teams add five more “toppings” to remove risk. Layering those nine elements keeps flavors separated yet scoop‑able, just like the famous Super Bowl bean dip – only with fewer calories and more KPIs.

The Layers (and what each one buys you)

#	Catalog or Project Layer	Bean‑Dip Analogy	Why it matters
1	Strategy / Vision	The platter holding everything	Align rows to KPIs so execs stay invested
2	End‑to‑End Scenario	Refried beans base	Connect value streams across apps (Finance, SCM, CE)
3	Process Area	Guac layer (this layer ain't extra here)	Assign executive owner per functional tower
4	Business Process	Salsa roja	Break scope into digestible chunks for sprints
5	Pattern / Variant	Queso drizzle	Flag “vanilla,” “parameterized,” or “needs extension”
6	Task / Activity	Pico de Gallo	Seed user stories and training scripts
7	Security Role & License	Sour‑cream swirl	Prevent last‑minute license surprises (hello 2025 enforcement)
8	Metrics / KPIs	Jalapeños on top	Define success before configuration starts
9	Test / Traceability Artifacts	Crumbled cotija	Map each row to test automation so quality is baked in

Dad tip: if a row doesn’t reach layer 9, assume the queso hasn’t melted all the way.

Industry snapshots – how the dip tastes in real life

Retail example: A regional grocer wants Buy‑Online‑Pick‑up‑In‑Store (BOPIS). By cloning the “Order‑to‑Cash” scenario and tagging a BOPIS variant at layer 5, they isolate the extra curb‑side steps without rewriting the entire catalog. KPIs added at layer 8 (Fulfillment lead time, In‑store wait time) become dashboard measures on day one.

Construction example: A commercial builder battles Pay‑When‑Paid clauses. They copy the “Procure‑to‑Pay” process and append a pattern for conditional vendor payments. Layer 7 calls out Financial Manager vs AP Clerk roles, so license tiering is clear before contract negotiations.

Getting your first scoop

1. Download the workbook. aka.ms/BusinessProcessCatalog (it redirects to the Excel file on the Microsoft Download Center).

2. Filter the Scenario column to the three value streams you actually plan to deliver in phase 1.

3. Heat‑map with conditional formatting to spot missing metrics or test cases.

4. Copy IDs into your discovery deck so execs see structured scope, not spaghetti.

Time invested: 20 minutes. Meetings saved: at least two.

Teaser – the baking dish that keeps layers tight

Fire up the Dynamics 365 Implementation Portal, create (or open) your engagement, and head to Project Profile. There you’ll tick the end‑to‑end scenarios and business processes that match your trimmed list of BPC IDs.... think of it as copy‑and‑paste via checkboxes rather than uploading a file.

Those selections drive the portal’s magic:

• tailor Success‑by‑Design review checklists to your scope,

• flag license coverage gaps by mapped security roles, and

• feed telemetry and Copilot risk insights as you move through sprints.

  
  

*An Excel import isn’t available yet, but this profiling step takes five minutes once you’ve done the trimming via excel.

Download the catalog, build your nine‑layer dip, and post a screenshot of your hottest conditional formatting heat‑map with the hashtag #BPCBeanDip. I’ll feature the spiciest one in a future Taylor Tip Tuesday.

Stay process‑positive, my friends.

DynamicsDad