As organizations embrace digital transformation, Microsoft Dynamics 365 has emerged as a central platform for managing CRM and ERP processes. However, with growing business complexity, Dynamics implementations can become large, monolithic, and difficult to maintain. This is where application modularization becomes a strategic necessity.
Modularizing Dynamics apps means structuring solutions into independent, self-contained components or modules that encapsulate specific business capabilities. This makes apps easier to manage, test, deploy, and scale—especially in enterprise environments where multiple teams and departments are involved.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for modularizing your Dynamics 365 applications, covering both technical design and organizational strategy to help you build future-ready, maintainable apps.
What Is Modularization in Dynamics 365?
Modularization refers to the practice of breaking down large applications or solutions into smaller, logically distinct components or modules that focus on specific functionality.
In the context of Dynamics 365, a module can include:
- Tables (entities)
- Forms and views
- Business rules and workflows
- Plugins or custom code
- Power Automate flows
- Security roles
- Canvas or model-driven apps
Each module should serve a specific business purpose—like Sales, Customer Support, HR Onboarding, or Field Service—and ideally be deployable independently.
Benefits of Modularizing Dynamics 365 Apps
- Maintainability: Smaller, focused modules are easier to debug and maintain.
- Reusability: Common modules (like “Address Management” or “Document Handling”) can be reused across solutions.
- Parallel Development: Multiple teams can work on separate modules concurrently.
- Simplified ALM (Application Lifecycle Management): Modules can be deployed independently to different environments.
- Scalability: Easier to scale components and isolate performance bottlenecks.
- Improved Governance: Better control over changes, ownership, and security per module.
Best Practices for Modularization in Dynamics 365
Let’s dive into the recommended practices when modularizing Dynamics 365 solutions.
1. Adopt a Layered Solution Architecture
Use Managed Solutions and Unmanaged Solutions strategically.
- Base Layer (Core Module): Contains common components like custom tables, global fields, or reusable business logic.
- Feature Modules: Each business capability (e.g., Sales Quotes, Customer Support) resides in its own solution.
- App Layer: Contains model-driven or canvas apps that stitch together one or more modules.
- Environment-Specific Layer: Environment-specific settings like connections, environment variables, and integration configs.
This layered approach ensures clarity and minimizes conflicts between teams and solutions.
2. Define Clear Module Boundaries
Each module should represent a discrete business domain or sub-domain. For example:
- Customer Management Module
- Entities: Contact, Account
- Forms, Views: Contact Form, Account Summary
- Workflows: Onboarding
- Sales Management Module
- Entities: Opportunity, Quote
- Plugins: Price Calculation
- Security: Salesperson Role
Avoid overlapping logic between modules. Use Dataverse relationships and Power Automate flows for controlled integration between modules.
3. Use Publisher Prefixes and Naming Conventions
A well-defined naming convention avoids collisions and makes dependencies obvious.
- Prefix all components with module codes (e.g.,
cm_Contact,sm_QuoteCalculation) - Use a consistent publisher name to group related components
- Document prefixes and naming conventions in a shared developer guide
This improves collaboration across teams and simplifies code tracing.
4. Package Solutions per Module
Each module should ideally be its own solution file, managed independently:
- Use Solution Segmentation to export only relevant components.
- Choose Managed Solutions for production to protect core components.
- Use Unmanaged Solutions in development for easier iteration.
Avoid dumping everything into a single “Main Solution”—this creates deployment complexity and inter-module coupling.
5. Use Environment Variables for Configurations
Replace hardcoded values in apps, flows, and plugins with environment variables. This makes modules portable across dev, test, and production environments.
Examples:
- API URLs
- Feature toggles
- Email addresses or sender names
- Document storage paths
This decouples modules from their deployment context and simplifies DevOps pipelines.
6. Leverage Solution Components Smartly
Within each module, group components logically. Avoid creating excessive dependency chains:
- Keep plugins and Power Automate flows close to the tables and processes they serve.
- Use custom APIs or Azure Functions for shared business logic across modules (especially if logic is reused or long-running).
- Store global choice sets in a common module (e.g., for Country, Status, Priority).
7. Separate Custom Code by Module
Custom code (plugins, Azure Functions, TypeScript for PCFs) should follow modular design:
- Create separate projects per module.
- Use shared libraries (NuGet packages or npm modules) for common logic.
- Avoid monolithic plugin assemblies that reference unrelated entities.
This improves build performance and reduces risk when deploying changes.
8. Secure Modules by Role and Scope
Use security roles to define access per module:
- Salesperson sees only sales-related records and apps.
- HR team accesses only onboarding or employee data.
Combine with App Modules to define user interfaces per role or business process. This enhances UX and complies with data security best practices.
9. Automate Deployments with Pipelines
Use Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or Power Platform Pipelines to automate:
- Solution extraction
- Version control per module
- Build and deployment to different environments
- Dependency checking and testing
Each module can have its own build pipeline for CI/CD, promoting independent delivery.
10. Document Module Ownership and Dependencies
Keep a central repository or wiki that documents:
- Purpose of each module
- Tables and key components included
- Team or owner responsible
- Dependencies (e.g., “HR module depends on Address module”)
This promotes accountability and facilitates onboarding of new team members.
Real-World Example: Modularizing a Dynamics CRM Implementation
Imagine a mid-sized company using Dynamics 365 to manage both sales and customer service. Over time, their single solution becomes bloated with tables, views, flows, and plugins from both teams.
Step 1: Identify Functional Domains
- Sales Domain: Leads, Opportunities, Quotes
- Service Domain: Cases, Knowledge Base
- Shared Domain: Contacts, Accounts
Step 2: Create Core Module
- Shared entities like Account, Contact, Address, Preferences
- Global fields and choices
- Shared business rules and Power Automate flows
Step 3: Create Feature Modules
- Sales Module: Specific to opportunities, quote generation, follow-ups
- Service Module: Ticket tracking, escalation, resolution flows
- Marketing Module: Campaigns, email engagement
Each module is maintained in its own repository, solution file, and deployment pipeline.
Step 4: Define Apps and Roles
- Sales App: For sales reps, shows Leads, Opportunities
- Service App: For support agents, shows Cases, Dashboards
- Admin App: For superusers to configure modules
This structure reduces cognitive overload and aligns user experience with job roles.
Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Too many small modules | Group by meaningful business capabilities |
| Circular dependencies | Use shared libraries or APIs, avoid direct linking |
| Hardcoded config values | Use environment variables |
| Single shared unmanaged solution | Package and version solutions per module |
| Siloed team knowledge | Maintain central documentation and architecture diagram |
Tools and Features That Support Modularization
- Solution Segmentation: Export only what’s changed
- Environment Variables: Simplify deployments
- Power Platform CLI (PAC): Automate solution exports and unpacking
- Azure DevOps Pipelines: Automate CI/CD per module
- Model-Driven App Designer: Create tailored apps per module
- Power Pages and Portals: Extend modules externally
Future-Proofing with Modular Architecture
As the Dynamics 365 platform evolves with Power Platform, AI integration, and external APIs, a modular approach will help you:
- Quickly adapt to new features
- Replace or upgrade components without downtime
- Build cross-functional solutions (e.g., Power Pages using Dataverse modules)
- Integrate easily with Azure services and third-party tools
In other words, modularization makes your Dynamics implementation resilient, agile, and innovation-ready.