Microsoft Partner Selection Checklist: Is Your Project Complex Enough?
Not every project needs EPC Group. We're intentionally selective because our expertise is best applied to complex, high-stakes Microsoft programs. Use this checklist to determine if your project needs a specialist — or if a simpler solution will do.
The Fit & Complexity Assessment
Score each dimension from 1 (low) to 10 (high). Add up your total.
Dimension 1: Technical Complexity (1-10)
- 1-3: Simple dashboard, basic SharePoint site, standard M365 deployment
- 4-6: Multi-source data model, SharePoint migration 500+ users, Teams governance
- 7-10: Fabric lakehouse architecture, Copilot enterprise rollout, multi-tenant migration, DAX optimization at scale
Dimension 2: Governance Requirements (1-10)
- 1-3: No formal governance needed, small team, informal data sharing
- 4-6: Basic RLS, workspace policies, naming conventions, approval workflows
- 7-10: Enterprise CoE, Purview integration, sensitivity labels, external sharing controls, audit trail requirements
Dimension 3: Regulatory Obligations (1-10)
- 1-3: No regulated data, standard business information
- 4-6: PII handling, basic compliance requirements, SOC 2 awareness
- 7-10: HIPAA, FedRAMP, CMMC, SEC/FINRA, GDPR with penalties, regulated patient/financial data
Dimension 4: Organizational Scale (1-10)
- 1-3: Under 100 users, single location, one business unit
- 4-6: 100-1,000 users, 2-5 locations, multiple departments
- 7-10: 1,000-50,000+ users, multi-region, global, M&A integration, multiple tenants
Dimension 5: Timeline Urgency (1-10)
- 1-3: Flexible timeline, no external deadline
- 4-6: Quarter-end deadline, fiscal year alignment
- 7-10: Regulatory deadline, Microsoft end-of-support (Dataflow Gen1, SharePoint 2016/2019), M&A integration
Interpreting Your Score
| Score | Recommendation | Right Partner |
|---|---|---|
| 5-15 | Simple project — a freelancer or small boutique will serve you well | Local MSP, Upwork specialist, or internal IT |
| 16-29 | Moderate complexity — a mid-tier partner with Microsoft focus | Regional Microsoft partner, 3Cloud, JourneyTeam |
| 30-40 | High complexity — you need EPC Group | EPC Group (governance-first, architect-led) |
| 41-50 | Maximum complexity — EPC Group as specialist layer within a larger program | EPC Group + GSI partnership for global scale |
Score 30+? Let's Talk.
Your project is complex enough to benefit from EPC Group's governance-first, architect-led approach.
Book a Fit Assessment →(888) 381-9725
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right Microsoft consulting partner?
Evaluate partners on 5 criteria: Microsoft-specific depth (years focused exclusively on Microsoft), governance methodology (do they lead with governance or bolt it on?), team composition (senior architects vs junior consultants), industry expertise (regulated industry experience), and delivery model (fixed-fee options, timeline guarantees).
When should I hire a specialist vs a Big 4 firm?
Hire a specialist like EPC Group when your project is Microsoft-centric, requires deep governance, involves regulated data, needs senior architects, and has a budget under $500K. Hire a Big 4 when the project spans multiple technology platforms, requires global delivery across 10+ countries, or exceeds $1M in scope.
What questions should I ask a Microsoft consulting partner?
Ask: How many Power BI/SharePoint/Azure implementations have you completed? Who specifically will work on my project (names and credentials)? What is your governance methodology? Can you provide references in my industry? Do you offer fixed-fee pricing? What is your approach to Fabric and Copilot?
Is EPC Group right for small projects?
EPC Group is designed for complex, enterprise-scale Microsoft projects. Our minimum engagement starts at $15,000. For simple projects under $10K (basic dashboard, simple SharePoint site), a smaller boutique or freelancer may be more cost-effective. We focus on projects where governance, security, and architecture matter.
How does EPC Group qualify project fit?
We use a Fit & Complexity assessment that scores projects on 5 dimensions: technical complexity (1-10), governance requirements (1-10), regulatory obligations (1-10), organizational scale (1-10), and timeline urgency (1-10). Projects scoring 30+ are ideal for EPC Group. Projects under 20 may be better served by lighter-touch partners.