How to become a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant?

Microsoft Power Platform has emerged as one of the most sought-after platforms for businesses across the globe. The platform offers a range of powerful tools and services, enabling organizations to build custom applications, automate business processes, and analyze data in real time. To harness the full potential of this platform, organizations require the expertise of skilled Power Platform Functional Consultants. As a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, some of the key features that are essential to understand and use effectively are:

• Power Apps: a low-code platform that allows you to build custom applications without the need for extensive programming knowledge. As a functional consultant, you should be able to design and develop Power Apps that are tailored to meet the specific needs of your clients. This includes understanding the data requirements of the app, designing user interfaces that are intuitive and user-friendly, and testing and deploying the app.
• Power Automate: allows you to create workflows that automate repetitive tasks and streamline business processes. As a functional consultant, you should be able to identify opportunities for automation and design workflows that are efficient and effective. This includes understanding the data sources that need to be integrated, designing the workflow logic, and testing and deploying the workflow.
• Power BI: a data visualization platform that allows you to create interactive dashboards and reports. As a functional consultant, you should be able to design and develop Power BI reports that provide valuable insights to your clients. This includes understanding the data sources, designing the visualizations and layout, and sharing the reports with your clients.
• Common Data Service: is a cloud-based data storage platform that provides a unified view of all your data sources. As a functional consultant, you should be able to design and develop data models that are optimized for the Common Data Service. This includes understanding the data requirements of your clients, designing the data model and relationships, and configuring security and access controls.

In this blog, we will explore the steps required to become a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, including the necessary skills, certifications, and career opportunities available in this field. Whether you are a seasoned IT professional looking to upskill or a newcomer interested in building a career in this domain, this guide will provide you with valuable insights and actionable steps to help you succeed.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant?

A Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant is responsible for designing, configuring, and implementing solutions that use the Microsoft Power Platform to address business requirements. Some of the key roles and responsibilities of a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant include:

• Strong understanding of the client’s business requirements and goals, and being able to translate them into technical solutions.
• Ability to design and configure Power Platform solutions using tools such as Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents.
• You should be able to customize and extend Power Platform solutions using code, plugins, and other advanced features.
• Expertise to design and implement data models and integrations with other systems using tools such as Common Data Service (CDS), Power Automate, and Azure services.
• Knowledge of how to deploys solutions to different environments, manage solution upgrades, and provide ongoing maintenance and support.
• The consultant should be able to train end-users on how to use Power Platform solutions and promote user adoption by creating engaging user experiences.
• Manage projects and collaborate with other team members, such as developers, testers, and project managers.
• The consultant should keep up-to-date with the latest features and best practices related to the Power Platform and related technologies, and continuously improve their skills and knowledge.

What is the market demand for Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultants?

The market demands a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant will vary depending on the needs of different organizations, but a combination of technical and business skills is typically required. As a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, you would typically be expected to have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Solution design and architecture: You should be able to work with customers to understand their business requirements and design solutions that meet their needs. This could involve designing custom applications or workflows using Power Apps, Power Automate, or Power BI.
• Data modeling and integration: You should be able to work with customers to design and implement data models that capture the information they need to run their business. This could involve integrating data from various sources and creating custom connectors to external systems.
• Business process analysis: You should be able to work with customers to understand their existing business processes and identify areas for improvement. This could involve designing new processes or modifying existing ones to make them more efficient.
• User training and support: You should be able to provide training and support to end-users of the Power Platform. This could involve creating user guides, conducting training sessions, and providing ongoing support to ensure users are able to make the most of the platform.
• Project management: You should be able to manage projects related to the implementation of the Power Platform. This could involve managing timelines, budgets, and resources, as well as coordinating with other stakeholders to ensure the project is successful.
• Industry-specific expertise: Depending on the industry in which you work, you may be expected to have specific expertise related to that industry. For example, if you work in healthcare, you may be expected to have knowledge of HIPAA regulations and healthcare data standards.

But, what does it take to become a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant?

Steps for becoming a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant

Becoming a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant involves a combination of technical skills, business acumen, and proficiency in using the Power Platform. The key steps for becoming a functional consultant include gaining expertise in Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Dynamics 365, obtaining relevant certifications, and gaining practical experience through hands-on projects. Here is an elaborate step-by-step guide for you:

Step 1: Know the basic skills for the role

Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultants are professionals who use Microsoft’s Power Platform to design, create, and deploy business solutions that automate processes, analyze data, and facilitate collaboration. They are responsible for understanding and translating business requirements into technical specifications that can be implemented using Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Dynamics 365. To become a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, one needs a combination of technical and soft skills. Technical skills required for this role include knowledge of the various components of the Power Platform, such as:

• Building canvas and model-driven apps, data sources, entities, forms, views, and business rules.
• Designing and implementing workflows, creating automated processes, and integrating with other systems.
• Knowledge of data visualization, creating reports and dashboards, and working with data models.
• Configuring and customizing the various Dynamics 365 modules, such as Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service.

Step 2: Attain the basic Microsoft Dynamics certifications (For beginners)

If you are someone who has just started in the Microsoft Power Platform sector then the best way is to crack the PL-200 exam by creating a better understanding of the concepts. The certification you can begin with includes:

1. Exam MB-910: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM): The features and capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 customer interaction applications are covered in this exam. As a result, you should have a broad awareness of customer interaction concepts and company processes, as well as appropriate job experience in an Information Technology (IT) setting. This examination also assesses your ability to describe the following: Dynamics 365 Marketing, Dynamics 365 Sales, Dynamics 365 Customer Service, Project Operations, and shared features are all available in Microsoft Dynamics 365.
2. Exam MB-920: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP): The features and capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 financial and operations apps are covered in this exam. As a result, you should have a broad understanding of financial concepts and company operations, as well as appropriate job experience in an Information Technology (IT) setting. This examination also assesses your ability to describe the following: Supply Chain Management, Dynamics Finance, Dynamics 365 Commerce, Dynamics 365 Human Resources, and Project Operations.
3. Exam PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals: Understanding the capabilities of the Power Platform, automating basic business processes with Power Automate, performing basic data analysis with Power BI, and creating powerful chatbots with Power Virtual Agents are all upsides of passing the PL-900 exam. This exam also assesses your ability to describe the business value of Power Platform, identify the core components of Power Platform, demonstrate Power BI capabilities, describe Power Apps capabilities, and demonstrate the business value of Power Virtual Agents.

Step 3: Go through the Microsoft Learning paths

While studying for the Power Platform Functional Consultant (PL-200) exam, Microsoft provides learning pathways that are organized into sections that contain the needed content to help you grasp and learn. The following are some of the Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant (PL-200) test learning paths:

• Using Dataverse: This learning path will help in understanding the fundamentals underlying Dataverse as well as its benefits. Further, there’s information on setting up an environment, entities, fields, and options sets.
• Managing permissions and administration for Dataverse: You will learn the process of handling permissions linked with environments and entities in this learning path. Moreover, you’ll also learn the process of using various administrative portals.
• Building a canvas app: Power Apps: This path provides the overview of Power Apps, including the steps for developing and configuring an app, as well as how to manage and distribute it.
• Building a model-driven application: Power Apps: This learning path will show the process of utilizing Dataverse for creating a model-driven app in Power Apps.
• Building a business process flow: Power Automate: This learning path will show you how to use Power Automate to create business process flows.
• Beginning with Power Automate buttons: This learning path shows you how to design button flows and exposes you to Power Automate buttons.
• Building and using analytics reports: Power BI: This learning path will show you how to utilize and create business intelligence reports using Power BI.
• Creating bots with Power Virtual Agent – This Learning Path begins with bot creation, continues through bot enhancement, and concludes with bot management.
• Bringing AI to business: AI Builder – This learning path guides you through AI Builder, teaches you how to create models, and shows you how to utilize them in Power Apps and Power Automate.

Step 3: Gain the required skills using Instructor-led Training

The Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant course will show you how to find requirements, capture them, engage subject matter experts and stakeholders in the process, translate them, and configure Microsoft Power Platform solutions and apps. However, to enhance learning, you’ll use hands-on laboratories to create application updates, tailored user experiences, system connections, data conversions, custom process automation, and custom visualizations.

Further, this also includes features like Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents. A functional consultant’s abilities are required for this training. A Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, on the other hand, is in charge of building and configuring Microsoft Power Platform apps, automation, and solutions. Moreover, they serve as a link between users and the implementation team. The functional consultant promotes the application of solutions inside a firm.

Step 4: Gain relevant experience

This is a critical step to moving closer to the role of a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant and getting prepared for the job. To put it another way, if you have all of the required abilities and experience and are ready to pass the PL-200 test, the best approach is to begin working on becoming more advanced. 

• Start by registering for a Microsoft Power Platform trial and building your own app.
• Work on one or more projects as a Functional Consultant.
• Participate in a Microsoft Power Platform consulting project as a volunteer.

Having relevant industry experience is important for employability in competitive job markets, particularly in technology. Working with Power Platform professionally is valuable. Internships, projects, and volunteering provide hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and showcase abilities to potential employers.

Step 5: Expand your Network for professional development

As a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, networking is crucial for building professional relationships, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and discovering new opportunities. Attending industry events, joining online communities, and actively engaging with professionals can help expand your network and build valuable connections.

• Building professional relationships with others in the industry can open doors to new opportunities and help you stay informed on the latest trends and technologies.
• Attending conferences, seminars, and other industry events provides an opportunity to meet other professionals and learn from industry experts.
• Joining relevant online communities such as LinkedIn groups, forums, and discussion boards can provide access to a wider network of professionals in your industry.
• Actively engaging with other professionals through social media, email, or other channels can help build lasting relationships and increase your visibility in the industry.
• Collaborating with other professionals on projects can help build trust and credibility within your network, as well as expand your skills and knowledge.
• Following up with professionals you meet at events or online can help solidify relationships and lead to potential opportunities in the future.

Step 6: Specialize in Niche areas

As a functional consultant, it’s essential to specialize in specific areas such as sales, marketing, finance, operations, and customer service to add value to a business’s operations. By identifying niche areas and developing expertise in those areas, consultants can provide in-depth knowledge, insights, and solutions that address specific challenges and drive business growth. Specialization helps consultants to establish credibility, build a reputation, and attract more clients in their chosen field of expertise.

• Identify niche areas that align with your interests, skills, and expertise. These areas can be based on specific industries, such as healthcare or retail, or specific business functions, such as logistics or supply chain management.
• Once niche areas are identified, functional consultants should invest time and effort into developing their expertise in those areas. This includes staying up to date with industry trends, attending conferences and networking events, and engaging in continuous learning and development.
• By specializing in specific areas, functional consultants can build credibility with clients and establish themselves as experts in their field. This can lead to more referrals, repeat business, and a strong reputation in the market.
• It can provide greater value to a business by focusing on solving specific challenges that are unique to that area. For example, a marketing consultant can help a business to create a marketing strategy that drives sales, while an operations consultant can help to streamline processes and reduce costs.
• It can also help functional consultants attract more clients looking for specific expertise in their area of business. For example, a business owner who needs help with sales might be more likely to choose a consultant who specializes in sales rather than a generalist.

Step 7: Build Soft skills

As businesses increasingly rely on technology to streamline their operations, the demand for Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultants continues to grow. However, it’s not just technical expertise that makes a successful consultant. Soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, leadership, and adaptability, are also essential.

• Soft skills are crucial for Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultants because they need to work closely with clients, developers, and other stakeholders to understand their needs and provide solutions that meet their requirements.
• Effective communication is essential for conveying ideas, explaining technical concepts in plain language, and building strong relationships with clients.
• Collaboration skills are necessary for working effectively with teams, resolving conflicts, and building consensus.
• Leadership skills are valuable for guiding projects and teams toward successful outcomes
• Adaptability enables consultants to quickly adapt to changing client needs and technological advancements.

To develop and showcase these skills, Power Platform Functional Consultants can participate in team projects, where they can practice communication, collaboration, and leadership. They can also hone their public speaking skills by presenting at industry events or leading training sessions for clients. Mentoring others can also help consultants develop their leadership skills and build relationships with colleagues.

Step 8: Know the Challenges and Opportunities you may face in your role

Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultants play a crucial role in helping organizations leverage the power of Microsoft’s suite of low-code/no-code tools for building custom business applications, automating processes, and analyzing data. As digital transformation and data-driven decision-making become increasingly important for businesses, the demand for Power Platform consultants is on the rise. However, they also face challenges in ensuring user adoption of the solutions they build and keeping up with the constantly evolving technology landscape.

• Power Platform Functional Consultants need to understand the business processes and requirements of their clients to develop effective solutions that meet their needs.
• They must have a deep knowledge of Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Common Data Service (CDS) to build robust and scalable solutions.
• With the increasing demand for digital transformation, they must stay up-to-date with the latest trends in technology to ensure their solutions are relevant and effective.
• They need to be skilled in data modeling, integration, and analysis to develop data-driven solutions that enable organizations to make informed decisions.
• User adoption is critical, and Power Platform Functional Consultants must ensure their solutions are intuitive, user-friendly, and meet the needs of end-users.
• They must be able to train and support users, resolve issues, and continuously improve their solutions based on user feedback.
• Collaboration and communication skills are essential as they work closely with clients, business analysts, developers, and other stakeholders to deliver successful projects.
• They need to be adept at project management, including scoping, planning, and executing projects on time and within budget.
• They must be familiar with best practices for security, governance, and compliance to ensure their solutions are secure and meet regulatory requirements.
• Finally, they should have a passion for learning and a willingness to adapt and evolve as the technology landscape changes.

Step 9: Maintain ethics and professionalism

Ethics and professionalism are crucial in any industry, including the Microsoft Power Platform consulting space. Professionals in this field must maintain a high level of ethical conduct to ensure that they meet their clients’ needs and expectations while adhering to the industry’s standards. By maintaining a professional and ethical approach, consultants can build trust with clients and establish long-lasting relationships that can lead to repeat business.

• Establish clear ethical guidelines and standards to guide decision-making.
• Understand client’s needs and expectations to find solutions that align with their values.
• Be transparent and honest in communication to build trust with clients.
• Prioritize confidentiality to ensure that all client information is kept secure and private

Expert’s Corner

Becoming a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant requires a combination of technical skills, educational qualifications, relevant experience, soft skills, and a passion for the industry. It also requires continuous learning, networking, and professional development. By following the tips and guidelines provided in this blog, aspiring functional consultants can position themselves for success in a rapidly growing and dynamic industry. With the right mindset, skills, and expertise, they can help organizations to achieve their digital transformation goals and drive meaningful change. We hope that this blog has provided valuable insights and resources for those who are interested in pursuing a career in Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consulting.