Implementation Checklist
  • 22 Nov 2023
  • 3 minute read
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Implementation Checklist

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Article Summary

The implementation checklist is a customizable project plan for building out all essential operations in Slate.  

Onboarding

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Complete all technical getting started items.

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Provision user accounts for Fundamentals course attendees.

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Users self-register for and complete the Fundamentals course in Learning Lab.

Your Team and Timeline

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Attend the Getting Started with Slate Community Conversation.

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Assign Slate Captains.

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Define project scope and catalog your processes, needs, expected integrations, and deadlines.

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Develop a detailed project plan.

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Develop project team and assign responsibilities.

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Schedule regular team meetings.

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Initiate conversations with IT about integration with SIS.

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Initiate conversations with academic departments and other campus stakeholders.

Set Up for Success

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Add PING code to institutional web pages.

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Review Configuration Keys for high-level settings for your instance.

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Consider how you will collect Payments through Slate: using Slate Payments or a third-party provider.

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Create additional users as necessary.

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TIP: Build in Production! Then re-provision the test production to iterate on transactional work.

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Attend Community Conversations weekly.  

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Explore available resources.

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Customize your default branding.

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Change "Message Group" name from Slate University to your institution name.

Fields and Prompts

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Create a spreadsheet of Fields and Prompts

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Create (or import) custom fields.

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Add (or import) custom prompts.

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"Refresh the Quartet": refresh the cache on Fields, Prompts, Slate Template Library, and Configurable Joins Library each time you create new entries.

Inquiry Form

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Create a Request for Information (RFI) Form.

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Create RFI Form Communications.

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Have each user create a test record.

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Have each user begin to explore the Query tool.

Records

Person Records

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Create Custom Tab(s) to display custom fields.

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Create a Custom Dashboard for the Person record.

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Create custom Tags as necessary.

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Add Test Types from the Slate Template Library.

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Create Custom Interactions and/or Activities.

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Create any necessary fields of other scopes, such as Relationship or School.

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Begin to consider Origin Sources.

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Adjust Person Status rules (optional).

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Automate Staff Assignment via rules.

Organizations, Org Contacts, Datasets

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Add a list of applicants to the Organization record.

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Finalize configuration of Organization Contacts dataset.

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Consider creating a custom dataset such as CBO, Volunteers, or Churches.

Communications & Outreach

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Design email template(s) with responsive design.

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Purchase deliver credits and provision service accounts.

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Develop a Communication Plan outside of Slate.

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Create Drip Marketing communication in Slate.

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Create additional mailings as necessary.

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Utilize Liquid Markup and mailing Content Blocks as necessary.

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Develop a process for getting incoming email messages into Slate.

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Configure Mobile SMS Inbox.

Additional Communication Options (Optional)

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Consider enrolling in Slate Print.

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Develop a calling campaign.

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Configure Slate Voice.

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Consider Projects/Tasks.

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Consider implementing Inbox.

Events

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Create Event and Scheduler Templates.

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Create Event and Scheduler Communications.

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Add individual events and slots.

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Configure Event Landing Pages/Portals.

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Consider additional event options.

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Create Trips.

Importing & Exporting Data

Upload Dataset

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Add standard source formats from Slate Template Library.

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Create service accounts for integrations access.

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Create custom source formats as necessary.

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Import Current Prospects.

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Import Applicants.

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Import documents.

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Develop Process for Consolidate Records.

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Develop Process for Batch Acquire.

Integration with SIS

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Configure bi-directional integration with SIS.

Payments

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Configure Slate Payments.

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Configure a third-party payment processor (if necessary).

Applications

Application Preparation- ALL Application Types

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Create Application Period(s).

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Create Application Round(s).

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Create Application-scoped fields and prompts.

Imported Applications

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Map fields and values for imported applications.

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Configure additional related source formats.

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Verify source format mappings with live test records in Test. 

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Create new source format(s) as necessary.

Application- Slate-Hosted Application

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Add Application Base File from Slate Template Library and follow Application Building Checklist.

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Customize standard application pages.

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Create custom application pages.

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Create page keys to show/hide application pages.

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Configure hard/soft fails in application logic.

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Create a custom recommendation form.

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Automate application fee requirements via rules.

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Consider application creation forms and/or direct round URLs.

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Test the entire application.

Additional Application Configurations - ALL Application Types

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Automate the application status via rules.

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Configure additional application automation.

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Create a custom application dashboard.

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Add application status portal from Showcase.

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Create System Emails.

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Configure application sharing via Slate.org

Materials and Checklists

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Create materials collected as part of the application.

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Create checklist items.

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Automate checklist assignment via rules.

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Consider missing checklist item recurring email.

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Consider importing Financial Aid Checklist items.

Reader

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Configure Reader Bins.

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Automate bin movement via rules.

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Configure Reader Tab Groups and Materials.

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Create Reader Review Forms.

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Configure Reader Dashboard.

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Customize the Reader.

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Configure Reader permissions.

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Consider additional workflows (as necessary).

Decisions

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Create Decision Codes.

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Create Decision Reasons.

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Design Letter Templates.

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Create Decision Reply Form.

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Decision System Email.

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Configure Decision Release Automation.

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Develop a process for printing decisions, if applicable.

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Configure payment account for Enrollment Deposit.

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Consider importing Financial Aid Decision Letters.

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Test Decision Release Process.

Users and Permissions

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Create roles, permissions, and exclusive permissions.

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Population-based permissions.

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Realms.

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Import users.

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Multi-Factor Authentication.

Training

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Conduct Training for end-users.

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Document your process.

Implementation Wrap-Up

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Prep for "go-live."

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Finalize Origin Sources.

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Create homepage widgets.

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Create reports.

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Think about Cycle Prep.


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