Software & Technology

Azure Entra ID Implementation

A ready-to-use Azure Entra ID implementation project template with predefined phases, tasks, milestones, and effort estimates to plan, configure, secure, and roll out identity, SSO, and access management with best practices.

Published February 14, 2026 by Kriyastream

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Duration

6 months

Effort

2130h

Phases

Tasks

301

Staffing

Cloud Computing

Application Integration Specialist240h

Cloud Engineer240h

Cloud Solutions Architect90h

Cybersecurity

Compliance Specialist60h

Identity and Access Management Specialist120h

Security Architect120h

IT Consulting

Active Directory Specialist180h

Business Analyst300h

IT Project Manager60h

Product Owner60h

Systems Administrator120h

Training Specialist60h

Salesforce Services

Data Migration Specialist120h

Software Development

QA Engineer135h

Software Architect90h

Test Automation Engineer135h

Work Breakdown Structure

Phase/Task	Estimate	Assign To
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning3w Comprehensive discovery and planning phase including current infrastructure assessment, requirements gathering, architecture design, and project planning.	60h	IT Consulting - Product Owner IT Consulting - Business Analyst +1 more
Assess current identity infrastructure4d Comprehensive assessment of existing identity infrastructure including Active Directory, user accounts, groups, applications, and authentication methods.
Document current AD forest structure Document the Active Directory forest structure including trees, domains, organizational units, and their hierarchical relationships.
Inventory existing Active Directory domains Document all existing Active Directory domains in the environment, including domain names, trust relationships, and domain controllers.
Identify organizational units (OUs) and their purposes Identify all organizational units in Active Directory and document their purpose, structure, and any delegation of administrative control.
Document existing security groups and distribution groups Document all security groups and distribution groups, their membership, purpose, and nesting relationships.
Count and categorize user accounts Count and categorize all user accounts including employees, contractors, service accounts, and identify any inactive or orphaned accounts.
Document current group policies affecting authentication Document all Group Policy Objects (GPOs) that affect user authentication, password policies, and account lockout settings.
Review existing password policies and complexity requirements Review and document current password policies including complexity requirements, minimum length, expiration, and history settings.
Identify all applications requiring authentication Identify and catalog all applications in the environment that require user authentication, including SaaS, on-premises, and custom applications.
Identify applications with existing integrations Identify applications that already have integrations with identity systems, including API connections, LDAP bindings, or federation setups.
Map application dependencies and integration points Map dependencies between applications and document all integration points, authentication flows, and data exchange mechanisms.
Categorize applications (SaaS, on-premises, custom) Categorize all identified applications by type: Software as a Service (SaaS), on-premises applications, and custom-developed applications.
Create requirements traceability matrix Create a requirements traceability matrix linking business requirements to Entra ID features and implementation tasks.
Document current audit and logging capabilities Document current audit and logging capabilities including what events are logged, log retention policies, and log analysis tools.
Document current identity lifecycle management processes Document current identity lifecycle management processes including user onboarding, role changes, and user offboarding procedures.
Document current authentication methods Document all current authentication methods used in the organization including password-based, certificate-based, and biometric authentication.
Map compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC2, etc.) Map all applicable compliance requirements including GDPR, HIPAA, SOC2, ISO 27001, and other regulatory standards that impact identity management.
Conduct stakeholder interviews for requirements Conduct interviews with key stakeholders to gather business requirements, pain points, and expectations for the Entra ID implementation.
Document security requirements and risk tolerance Document security requirements including authentication strength, authorization models, audit requirements, and organizational risk tolerance levels.
Document current authorization models Document current authorization models including role-based access control, attribute-based access control, and access control lists.
Document business requirements for identity management Document all business requirements for identity management including user experience expectations, security requirements, and operational needs.
Create assessment report Create comprehensive assessment report summarizing current identity infrastructure, gaps, risks, and recommendations for Entra ID implementation.
Review existing identity governance processes Review existing identity governance processes including access reviews, role assignments, and compliance procedures.
Document current SSO implementations (if any) Document any existing single sign-on (SSO) implementations, including federation services, identity providers, and protocols used.
Document current MFA implementations Document any existing multi-factor authentication (MFA) implementations, including methods used, coverage, and policies.
Configure Entra tenant Configure the Azure Entra tenant with initial settings, admin accounts, security defaults, and tenant-wide configurations.
Implement directory synchronization Implement directory synchronization between on-premises Active Directory and Azure Entra ID using Azure AD Connect or Cloud Sync.
Configure identity governance Configure identity governance features including entitlement management, access reviews, and Privileged Identity Management (PIM).
Design Entra architecture1w Design comprehensive Azure Entra ID architecture including tenant structure, directory synchronization, conditional access, and application integration strategy.
Design administrative unit structure Design administrative unit structure in Azure Entra ID to delegate administrative tasks to specific administrators for subsets of users.
Design tenant structure (single vs multi-tenant) Design the Azure Entra tenant structure, determining whether a single tenant or multi-tenant architecture is appropriate based on organizational needs.
Design organizational unit structure in Entra Design the organizational structure in Azure Entra ID, mapping from on-premises organizational units to Entra administrative units or groups.
Plan group structure (security groups, Microsoft 365 groups) Plan the group structure including security groups for access control and Microsoft 365 groups for collaboration, including nesting strategies.
Define naming conventions for users and groups Define consistent naming conventions for user accounts, security groups, and Microsoft 365 groups to ensure clarity and maintainability.
Design role-based access control (RBAC) structure Design the role-based access control structure including built-in roles, custom roles, and role assignment strategies.
Plan custom directory attributes and extensions Plan custom directory attributes and schema extensions needed to support business requirements beyond standard user attributes.
Evaluate directory synchronization options Evaluate directory synchronization options including Azure AD Connect vs Azure AD Cloud Sync, considering environment requirements and capabilities.
Design hybrid identity architecture Design the hybrid identity architecture connecting on-premises Active Directory with Azure Entra ID, including authentication flows and directory synchronization.
Plan synchronization scope and filtering rules Plan the synchronization scope including which OUs, groups, and attributes to synchronize, and design filtering rules to exclude unnecessary objects.
Design password hash synchronization vs pass-through authentication Design the authentication method choosing between password hash synchronization, pass-through authentication, or federation based on security and operational requirements.
Design location-based access policies Design location-based conditional access policies to control access based on geographic location or IP address ranges.
Design conditional access policy framework Design the conditional access policy framework including policy structure, naming conventions, and enforcement strategies.
Plan device-based conditional access policies Plan device-based conditional access policies to control access based on device compliance, join state, and device type.
Plan risk-based conditional access policies Plan risk-based conditional access policies that leverage Identity Protection risk signals to dynamically adjust access requirements.
Design application-specific conditional access policies Design conditional access policies specific to individual applications or application groups based on sensitivity and risk levels.
Create conditional access policy naming convention Create a consistent naming convention for conditional access policies to ensure clarity, maintainability, and easy identification.
Plan for seamless single sign-on (SSO) configuration Plan the seamless single sign-on (SSO) configuration to enable users to sign in once and access multiple applications without re-authentication.
Create risk register and mitigation strategies Create a risk register identifying potential risks to the project and develop mitigation strategies for each identified risk.
Obtain stakeholder approval for architecture Present the architecture design to stakeholders and obtain formal approval before proceeding with implementation.
Create architecture diagrams Create architecture diagrams including high-level architecture, authentication flows, synchronization flows, and network topology diagrams.
Design self-service capabilities Design self-service capabilities including self-service password reset, self-service group management, and My Apps portal configuration.
Design guest user access strategy Design guest user access strategy including B2B collaboration settings, guest invitation policies, and guest access restrictions.
Create project plan and timeline Create detailed project plan and timeline with milestones, dependencies, and resource allocation for the Entra ID implementation.
Design external collaboration strategy Design external collaboration strategy including cross-tenant access settings, B2B collaboration policies, and external user management.
Define success criteria and KPIs Define success criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the Entra ID implementation project.
Design device registration and join strategy Design device registration and join strategy including Azure AD join, hybrid Azure AD join, and device registration policies.
Design monitoring and alerting architecture Design monitoring and alerting architecture including log analytics workspace, diagnostic settings, alert rules, and dashboard configurations.
Create architecture design document Create comprehensive architecture design document including all design decisions, diagrams, configurations, and implementation guidelines.
Design custom attribute schema extensions Design custom attribute schema extensions for Azure Entra ID to support business requirements beyond standard user attributes.
Define baseline security policies Define baseline security policies that will apply to all users and applications, establishing minimum security requirements.
Map business requirements to Entra features4d Map identified business requirements to Azure Entra ID features and capabilities, ensuring alignment with organizational needs.
Map requirements to Entra ID features Map each business requirement to specific Azure Entra ID features and capabilities that will fulfill the requirement.
Identify feature gaps and workarounds Identify any business requirements that cannot be directly met by Entra ID features and develop workaround solutions or alternative approaches.
Document feature prioritization Document the prioritization of Entra ID features based on business value, dependencies, and implementation complexity.
Create feature mapping document Create a comprehensive document mapping all business requirements to Entra ID features with implementation notes and dependencies.
Document integration requirements Document integration requirements including which applications need to integrate with Entra ID, integration protocols, and data synchronization needs.
Document user experience requirements Document user experience requirements including sign-in experience expectations, self-service capabilities, and mobile access requirements.
Document scalability and performance requirements Document scalability and performance requirements including expected user count, concurrent sign-ins, and performance service level objectives.
Create requirements documentation package Create comprehensive requirements documentation package consolidating all business, technical, security, and compliance requirements for stakeholder review and approval.
Document disaster recovery and business continuity requirements Document disaster recovery and business continuity requirements including recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives, and backup requirements.
Plan application registration and SSO strategy4d Plan application registration approach and single sign-on (SSO) strategy for enterprise and custom applications.
Create application inventory Create comprehensive application inventory listing all applications, their authentication methods, integration requirements, and priority for integration.
Prioritize applications for integration Prioritize applications for integration based on business criticality, user count, security requirements, and integration complexity.
Create application integration roadmap Create application integration roadmap including integration sequence, dependencies, timelines, and resource requirements for each application.
Plan single sign-on (SSO) methods (SAML, OIDC, OAuth) Plan which single sign-on methods to use for different applications, including SAML, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and OAuth 2.0 protocols.
Document application-specific requirements Document application-specific requirements including authentication protocols, attribute requirements, provisioning needs, and conditional access requirements.
Plan API permissions and consent framework Plan the API permissions and consent framework for applications, including delegated and application permissions, and consent policies.
Create application registration standards Create application registration standards including naming conventions, permission requirements, consent policies, and security requirements for application registrations.
Design application proxy architecture for on-premises apps Design the Azure AD Application Proxy architecture for publishing on-premises applications to the internet with secure authentication.
Design application registration strategy Design the strategy for registering applications in Azure Entra ID, including governance, approval processes, and registration standards.
Create application registration and SSO strategy document Create comprehensive application registration and SSO strategy document consolidating all planning decisions, standards, and implementation guidelines.
Create SSO implementation guide Create SSO implementation guide including step-by-step procedures for configuring SAML, OpenID Connect, and password-based SSO for different application types.
Create application integration checklist Create application integration checklist to ensure all applications are integrated consistently with proper configuration, testing, and documentation.
Design app registration governance process Design the governance process for application registrations including approval workflows, review processes, and lifecycle management.
Phase 2: Tenant Setup & Configuration1mo Tenant setup and configuration phase including initial tenant configuration, domain setup, directory synchronization, and identity governance setup.	180h	IT Consulting - Active Directory Specialist Cloud Computing - Cloud Engineer +1 more
Configure Entra tenant1w Configure the Azure Entra tenant with initial settings, admin accounts, security defaults, and tenant-wide configurations.
Verify tenant creation and initial configuration Verify that the Azure Entra tenant has been created successfully and review initial configuration settings.
Configure tenant properties and settings Configure tenant properties including company information, contact details, and organizational settings.
Configure tenant-wide settings (user settings, guest settings) Configure tenant-wide settings for user management, guest user access, external collaboration, and self-service capabilities.
Set up initial admin accounts and roles Create initial administrator accounts and assign appropriate Azure AD roles based on the role-based access control design.
Configure tenant security defaults Configure or disable security defaults based on the organization's security requirements and conditional access policy strategy.
Set up audit logging and diagnostic settings Configure audit logging and diagnostic settings to enable monitoring, compliance reporting, and security analysis.
Add and verify primary domain Add the organization's primary domain to Azure Entra ID and verify domain ownership through DNS records.
Configure domain verification (DNS records) Configure DNS records for domain verification including TXT records for domain ownership verification.
Set primary domain for new users Set the primary domain that will be used by default for new user accounts created in Azure Entra ID.
Add additional custom domains Add any additional custom domains required by the organization and configure domain properties.
Configure domain federation (if required) Configure domain federation if the organization requires federated authentication with an external identity provider.
Design and upload company logo Design and upload the company logo for use in Azure Entra ID sign-in pages and user interfaces.
Configure sign-in page branding Configure the sign-in page branding including logo, background image, text, and color scheme to match organizational branding.
Set up terms of use and privacy statements Set up terms of use and privacy statements that users must accept when accessing organizational resources.
Configure email templates and notifications Configure email templates and notification settings for user communications including password resets, account invitations, and security alerts.
Configure help desk contact information Configure help desk contact information that will be displayed to users for support requests and assistance.
Configure identity governance1w Configure identity governance features including entitlement management, access reviews, and Privileged Identity Management (PIM).
Configure entitlement management catalogs Configure entitlement management catalogs to organize resources and access packages for identity governance.
Create access packages Create access packages that bundle resources, roles, and policies for users to request access to applications and groups.
Configure access package expiration policies Configure expiration policies for access packages to automatically revoke access after a specified period or when conditions are met.
Configure access package policies Configure policies for access packages including who can request access, approval workflows, and expiration settings.
Set up access package request workflows Set up workflows for access package requests including approval processes, notifications, and automatic provisioning.
Create access review schedules Create schedules for periodic access reviews to ensure users maintain appropriate access levels over time.
Set up automatic access review reminders Set up automatic reminders for access reviews to ensure reviewers complete reviews in a timely manner.
Configure access review reviewers Configure reviewers for access reviews including managers, designated reviewers, and self-review options.
Enable Privileged Identity Management (PIM) Enable Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for Azure AD roles and Azure resources to manage privileged access.
Configure access review decision criteria Configure decision criteria for access reviews including automatic approval/denial rules and escalation procedures.
Configure PIM for Azure AD roles Configure PIM settings for Azure AD roles including eligible role assignments, activation policies, and approval workflows.
Configure PIM for Azure resource roles Configure PIM settings for Azure resource roles including subscriptions, resource groups, and individual resources.
Set up PIM role activation policies Set up policies for PIM role activation including MFA requirements, justification requirements, and maximum activation duration.
Configure PIM approval workflows Configure approval workflows for PIM role activations including designated approvers and notification settings.
Configure PIM access reviews Configure access reviews for PIM role assignments to ensure users maintain appropriate privileged access.
Set up PIM notifications and alerts Set up notifications and alerts for PIM activities including role activations, assignments, and expirations.
Implement directory synchronization1w Implement directory synchronization between on-premises Active Directory and Azure Entra ID using Azure AD Connect or Cloud Sync.
Configure connection to on-premises AD Configure the connection from Azure AD Connect to the on-premises Active Directory domain controllers.
Configure connection to Azure AD tenant Configure the connection from Azure AD Connect to the Azure Entra ID tenant using appropriate credentials.
Install Azure AD Connect prerequisites Install and configure prerequisites for Azure AD Connect including .NET Framework, PowerShell modules, and required Windows features.
Provision Azure AD Connect server (VM or physical) Provision and configure the server (virtual machine or physical server) that will host Azure AD Connect, ensuring it meets all requirements.
Run Azure AD Connect installation wizard Run the Azure AD Connect installation wizard to configure the initial connection settings and authentication method.
Install Azure AD Connect software Download and install the Azure AD Connect software on the designated server.
Select synchronization method (password hash sync, pass-through, federation) Select and configure the authentication synchronization method based on the architecture design (password hash sync, pass-through authentication, or federation).
Configure server security (firewall, updates, hardening) Configure server security including firewall rules, Windows updates, and security hardening to protect the Azure AD Connect server.
Configure optional features (password writeback, device writeback, etc.) Configure optional Azure AD Connect features such as password writeback, device writeback, and group writeback based on requirements.
Create synchronization rules for users Create and configure synchronization rules to control how user objects are synchronized from on-premises AD to Azure Entra ID.
Create synchronization rules for groups Create and configure synchronization rules to control how group objects are synchronized from on-premises AD to Azure Entra ID.
Create synchronization rules for contacts Create and configure synchronization rules to control how contact objects are synchronized from on-premises AD to Azure Entra ID.
Configure OU-based filtering Configure organizational unit (OU) based filtering to include or exclude specific OUs from synchronization.
Configure attribute-based filtering Configure attribute-based filtering rules to include or exclude objects based on specific attribute values.
Configure synchronization connectors and partitions Configure synchronization connectors and directory partitions to define the scope of synchronization operations.
Configure group-based filtering Configure group-based filtering to include or exclude objects based on group membership.
Perform initial synchronization in staging mode Perform initial synchronization in staging mode to preview changes before applying them to production Azure Entra ID.
Set up synchronization scheduling Configure synchronization scheduling to control when and how often synchronization runs between on-premises AD and Azure Entra ID.
Validate user synchronization Validate that user objects are being synchronized correctly with all required attributes and in the expected format.
Review synchronization preview results Review the synchronization preview results to verify that objects will be synchronized correctly before enabling full synchronization.
Validate attribute synchronization Validate that all required attributes are being synchronized correctly and attribute mappings are working as expected.
Resolve synchronization errors and conflicts Identify and resolve any synchronization errors, conflicts, or issues that prevent successful synchronization.
Perform full synchronization Enable and perform full synchronization to synchronize all selected objects from on-premises AD to Azure Entra ID.
Validate group synchronization Validate that group objects are being synchronized correctly with membership and all required attributes.
Verify synchronized objects in Azure AD Verify that synchronized objects appear correctly in Azure Entra ID with all expected attributes and properties.
Test user authentication with synchronized accounts Test user authentication using synchronized accounts to verify that authentication flows work correctly with the selected authentication method.
Configure identity protection3d Configure Azure AD Identity Protection to detect and respond to identity-based risks and suspicious activities.
Enable Identity Protection in Phase 2 Enable Azure AD Identity Protection to start detecting identity-based risks and suspicious sign-in activities during tenant setup.
Configure initial risk detection settings2d Configure initial risk detection settings for Identity Protection including risk thresholds and detection sensitivity during tenant setup phase.
Set up alerts and monitoring2d Set up alerts and monitoring for security events, sign-in activities, and policy violations in Azure Entra ID.
Configure initial diagnostic settings Configure initial diagnostic settings to send Azure Entra ID logs to Log Analytics workspace for monitoring during tenant setup.
Set up basic alert rules for tenant setup Set up basic alert rules to monitor tenant configuration changes, admin account activities, and critical security events during setup.
Configure initial monitoring dashboard Configure initial monitoring dashboard to track tenant setup activities, directory synchronization status, and configuration changes.
Implement conditional access2w Implement conditional access policies based on the architecture design to control access to applications and resources.
Review and validate conditional access policy design Review the conditional access policy design from Phase 1 and validate it against the configured tenant settings and security requirements.
Prepare conditional access policy implementation plan Create detailed implementation plan for conditional access policies including policy creation sequence, testing approach, and rollback procedures.
Phase 3: Security & Access Control1mo Security and access control phase including conditional access policies, MFA implementation, device compliance, identity protection, and monitoring setup.	120h	Cybersecurity - Security Architect Cybersecurity - Compliance Specialist +1 more
Implement conditional access2w Implement conditional access policies based on the architecture design to control access to applications and resources.
Configure MFA requirement for admin roles Configure conditional access policy requiring multi-factor authentication for all administrative roles.
Create baseline conditional access policy for all users Create a baseline conditional access policy that applies to all users establishing minimum security requirements.
Create conditional access policy for untrusted locations Create conditional access policies with stricter requirements for access from untrusted or unknown locations.
Create conditional access policy for high-risk applications Create conditional access policies with enhanced security requirements for high-risk or sensitive applications.
Configure application-specific conditional access policies Configure conditional access policies specific to individual applications or application groups based on sensitivity levels.
Configure location-based policies (trusted locations) Configure trusted locations and create conditional access policies that allow easier access from trusted locations.
Create policy for hybrid Azure AD joined devices Create conditional access policy requiring devices to be hybrid Azure AD joined for access to certain resources.
Configure device-based conditional access policies Configure conditional access policies that require devices to be compliant, hybrid Azure AD joined, or meet specific device requirements.
Create policy for legacy authentication blocking Create conditional access policy to block legacy authentication protocols that do not support modern security features.
Configure client app-based conditional access Configure conditional access policies based on client application types (browser, mobile apps, desktop clients).
Create policy for mobile device management Create conditional access policies requiring mobile devices to be managed by mobile device management (MDM) solution.
Create policy for compliant devices only Create conditional access policy requiring devices to be compliant with organizational device compliance policies.
Configure MFA registration policy Configure MFA registration policy to require users to register their authentication methods within a specified timeframe.
Set up MFA authentication methods (phone, app, FIDO2) Configure available MFA authentication methods including phone call, SMS, authenticator app, and FIDO2 security keys.
Configure MFA trusted IPs and bypass options Configure trusted IP addresses and bypass options for MFA to reduce friction for users accessing from trusted locations.
Configure session controls (app enforced restrictions) Configure session controls including app-enforced restrictions to limit what users can do within applications.
Set up MFA fraud alerts Set up fraud alerts for MFA to notify administrators when users report fraudulent authentication attempts.
Enable MFA for all users Enable multi-factor authentication for all users in the organization through conditional access policies or security defaults.
Configure MFA notifications and reminders Configure notifications and reminders for MFA registration and usage to ensure users complete registration and use MFA.
Set up device compliance reporting Set up device compliance reporting to monitor device compliance status and identify non-compliant devices.
Create device compliance policy for iOS Create device compliance policy for iOS devices including requirements for passcode, encryption, and jailbreak detection.
Create device compliance policy for Android Create device compliance policy for Android devices including requirements for device encryption, security patch level, and root detection.
Create device compliance policy for Windows Create device compliance policy for Windows devices including requirements for encryption, password, and security settings.
Document all conditional access policies Document all conditional access policies including their purpose, scope, requirements, and exceptions for reference and compliance.
Enable device compliance policies in Intune Enable device compliance policies in Microsoft Intune to define compliance requirements for devices accessing organizational resources.
Configure device compliance requirements Configure specific device compliance requirements including minimum OS versions, encryption status, and security configurations.
Configure identity protection6d Configure Azure AD Identity Protection to detect and respond to identity-based risks and suspicious activities.
Set up identity protection alerts Set up alerts for identity protection events including risk detections, user risk changes, and policy violations.
Configure sign-in risk policies Configure sign-in risk policies to automatically respond to detected sign-in risk levels with actions like requiring MFA or blocking access.
Enable Identity Protection Enable Azure AD Identity Protection to start detecting identity-based risks and suspicious sign-in activities.
Configure user risk policies Configure user risk policies to automatically respond to detected user risk levels with actions like requiring password change or blocking access.
Set up risk detection thresholds Set up risk detection thresholds to define when risk levels are considered low, medium, or high for policy enforcement.
Configure risk-based MFA challenges Configure risk-based MFA challenges to require additional authentication when risky sign-ins are detected.
Configure risk-based access blocking Configure risk-based access blocking to automatically block access when high-risk sign-ins or user risks are detected.
Configure email notifications for risk events Configure email notifications to alert administrators and security teams when identity protection risk events are detected.
Create identity protection reports Create identity protection reports to track risk detections, user risk levels, and sign-in risk events over time.
Configure automated response playbooks Configure automated response playbooks for common identity protection scenarios to streamline incident response.
Set up SIEM integration for risk events Set up integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems to forward identity protection risk events.
Set up alerts and monitoring6d Set up alerts and monitoring for security events, sign-in activities, and policy violations in Azure Entra ID.
Configure diagnostic settings for Entra ID Configure diagnostic settings to send Azure Entra ID logs (sign-ins, audit logs) to Log Analytics workspace for analysis.
Set up log analytics workspace Set up Azure Log Analytics workspace to collect and analyze sign-in logs, audit logs, and security events from Azure Entra ID.
Create custom queries for sign-in logs Create custom KQL queries for sign-in logs to identify patterns, anomalies, and security events of interest.
Configure monitoring dashboards Configure monitoring dashboards in Azure Monitor or Log Analytics to visualize security events and sign-in activities.
Create custom queries for audit logs Create custom KQL queries for audit logs to track administrative activities, configuration changes, and compliance events.
Set up alert rules for suspicious activities Set up alert rules to automatically notify administrators when suspicious activities or security events are detected.
Configure automated remediation workflows Configure automated remediation workflows using Azure Automation or Logic Apps to respond to security alerts automatically.
Phase 4: Application Integration3w Application integration phase including enterprise application integration, custom application registration, and API permissions configuration.	240h	Cloud Computing - Application Integration Specialist Cloud Computing - Cloud Solutions Architect
Integrate enterprise applications2w Integrate enterprise SaaS and on-premises applications with Azure Entra ID for single sign-on and user provisioning.
Identify enterprise applications for integration Identify all enterprise SaaS and on-premises applications that need to be integrated with Azure Entra ID for SSO and user provisioning.
Add enterprise application from gallery Add enterprise applications from Azure AD application gallery that support SAML or OpenID Connect authentication.
Configure SAML-based SSO for enterprise apps Configure SAML-based single sign-on for enterprise applications including identity provider settings, service provider settings, and attribute mapping.
Configure OpenID Connect-based SSO for enterprise apps Configure OpenID Connect-based single sign-on for enterprise applications including application registration, redirect URIs, and token configuration.
Configure password-based SSO for enterprise apps Configure password-based single sign-on for applications that do not support SAML or OpenID Connect, using credential vaulting.
Configure conditional access for enterprise apps Configure conditional access policies specific to enterprise applications to enforce security requirements and access controls.
Configure user provisioning for enterprise apps Configure automated user provisioning for enterprise applications to automatically create, update, and remove user accounts based on group membership or assignments.
Configure attribute mapping for user provisioning Configure attribute mapping for user provisioning to map Azure AD user attributes to application-specific user attributes.
Configure group-based application assignment Configure group-based application assignment to automatically assign users to applications based on group membership.
Configure Azure AD Application Proxy for on-premises apps Configure Azure AD Application Proxy to publish on-premises applications to the internet with secure authentication through Entra ID.
Install and configure Application Proxy connectors Install and configure Azure AD Application Proxy connectors on on-premises servers to enable secure access to on-premises applications.
Publish on-premises applications through Application Proxy Publish on-premises applications through Azure AD Application Proxy with appropriate authentication and access controls.
Document application integration configurations Document all application integration configurations including SSO settings, provisioning configurations, and conditional access policies for reference and troubleshooting.
Test user provisioning for enterprise apps Test automated user provisioning for enterprise applications to verify users are created, updated, and removed correctly in the applications.
Test enterprise application SSO Test single sign-on functionality for all enterprise applications to verify users can authenticate seamlessly without entering credentials.
Integrate custom applications1w Register and integrate custom applications with Azure Entra ID using OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect protocols.
Register custom application in Azure AD Register custom applications in Azure Entra ID including application name, redirect URIs, and supported account types.
Configure OAuth 2.0 authentication for custom apps Configure OAuth 2.0 authentication for custom applications including client IDs, client secrets, redirect URIs, and grant types.
Configure OpenID Connect authentication for custom apps Configure OpenID Connect authentication for custom applications including ID token claims, user information endpoints, and logout URLs.
Configure API permissions for custom apps Configure API permissions for custom applications including Microsoft Graph API permissions, delegated permissions, and application permissions.
Configure consent framework for custom apps Configure consent framework for custom applications including admin consent requirements, user consent settings, and consent policies.
Configure application roles and assignments Configure application roles and role assignments for custom applications to control access to application features and resources.
Test custom application authentication Test custom application authentication flows including OAuth 2.0 authorization code flow, OpenID Connect sign-in, and token validation.
Test API access with custom applications Test API access from custom applications to verify applications can successfully call Microsoft Graph API and other APIs with appropriate permissions.
Phase 5: User Management & Training1mo User management and training phase including user migration, group management, license assignment, training delivery, and documentation.	60h	IT Consulting - Training Specialist Salesforce Services - Data Migration Specialist
Migrate and onboard users3w Migrate users to Azure Entra ID, create user accounts, assign licenses and roles, and configure self-service capabilities.
Create user migration plan Create comprehensive user migration plan including migration strategy, user data mapping, migration schedule, and rollback procedures.
Migrate user accounts from on-premises AD4d Migrate user accounts from on-premises Active Directory to Azure Entra ID through directory synchronization or manual creation.
Create cloud-only user accounts2d Create cloud-only user accounts in Azure Entra ID for users who do not have on-premises Active Directory accounts.
Assign licenses to users2d Assign Microsoft 365 and Azure AD licenses to users based on their roles, requirements, and organizational licensing agreements.
Assign Azure AD roles to users1d Assign Azure AD roles to users based on their responsibilities and the role-based access control structure designed during planning.
Configure self-service password reset Configure self-service password reset to allow users to reset their passwords independently using registered authentication methods.
Configure self-service group management Configure self-service group management to allow users to create and manage their own security groups and Microsoft 365 groups.
Configure My Apps portal Configure My Apps portal to provide users with a centralized location to access all their assigned applications and perform self-service tasks.
Onboard users to Entra ID3d Onboard users to Entra ID including sending welcome emails, providing access credentials, and guiding users through initial setup.
Conduct training and documentation2w Create training materials, conduct training sessions for administrators and end users, and document operational procedures.
Create administrator training materials2d Create comprehensive training materials for administrators covering Entra ID management, policy configuration, user management, and troubleshooting.
Create end user training materials2d Create user-friendly training materials for end users covering sign-in procedures, MFA registration, application access, and self-service features.
Conduct administrator training sessions2d Conduct training sessions for administrators to ensure they understand Entra ID administration, policy management, and operational procedures.
Conduct end user training sessions2d Conduct training sessions for end users to help them understand how to sign in, use MFA, access applications, and perform self-service tasks.
Create operational documentation Create operational documentation including runbooks, troubleshooting guides, and standard operating procedures for Entra ID management.
Create user guides and FAQs Create user guides and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help users understand Entra ID features, common tasks, and how to resolve common issues.
Create architecture documentation Create architecture documentation including design decisions, configuration details, and integration points for reference and future maintenance.
Phase 6: Testing & Go-Live1mo Testing and go-live phase including user acceptance testing, security testing, disaster recovery testing, go-live execution, and post-implementation support.	60h	IT Consulting - IT Project Manager Software Development - Test Automation Engineer +1 more
Perform testing2w Perform comprehensive testing including user acceptance testing, security testing, and disaster recovery testing.
Perform security vulnerability assessment Perform security vulnerability assessment to identify potential security weaknesses in the Entra ID configuration and policies.
Create user acceptance test plan Create comprehensive user acceptance test plan including test scenarios, test cases, success criteria, and test execution schedule.
Create security testing plan Create comprehensive security testing plan including penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and security control validation.
Test user sign-in and authentication flows1d Test all user sign-in and authentication flows including password authentication, MFA, SSO, and password reset scenarios.
Test conditional access policies Test all conditional access policies to verify they enforce access controls correctly based on user, device, location, and application conditions.
Test MFA registration and authentication Test MFA registration process and authentication flows to ensure users can register methods and authenticate successfully with MFA.
Test directory synchronization Test directory synchronization to verify that user, group, and attribute changes are synchronized correctly from on-premises AD to Azure Entra ID.
Test group management and membership Test group management and membership synchronization to verify groups are created, updated, and memberships are synchronized correctly.
Test application access and SSO Test application access and single sign-on functionality for all integrated applications to ensure seamless user experience.
Test device compliance and conditional access Test device compliance policies and device-based conditional access to verify devices are evaluated correctly and access is controlled appropriately.
Test identity protection risk detection Test identity protection risk detection and response to verify risky sign-ins and user risks are detected and policies are enforced correctly.
Test privileged access management (PIM) Test Privileged Identity Management (PIM) role activation, approval workflows, and access reviews to ensure privileged access is managed correctly.
Test self-service password reset Test self-service password reset functionality to ensure users can reset their passwords independently with proper authentication.
Test audit logging and reporting Test audit logging and reporting functionality to verify all administrative activities and sign-in events are logged correctly.
Test authentication bypass scenarios Test authentication bypass scenarios to verify that security controls cannot be circumvented and unauthorized access is prevented.
Test privilege escalation prevention Test privilege escalation prevention to ensure users cannot gain unauthorized elevated permissions or access to restricted resources.
Test session management and timeout Test session management and timeout controls to verify sessions are managed securely and timeout policies are enforced correctly.
Test guest user access and collaboration Test guest user invitation, access, and collaboration features to verify external users can be invited and access resources appropriately.
Resolve identified test issues Resolve all identified test issues including configuration errors, policy misconfigurations, and integration problems before proceeding to go-live.
Document test results and issues Document all test results, identified issues, and remediation actions to track testing progress and ensure all issues are resolved before go-live.
Test application failover and redundancy Test application failover and redundancy to verify that applications can continue operating if primary authentication services are unavailable.
Test data exfiltration prevention Test data exfiltration prevention controls to verify that sensitive data cannot be accessed or exported by unauthorized users or applications.
Execute user acceptance testing Execute user acceptance testing with end users to validate that the Entra ID implementation meets business requirements and user expectations.
Test access package requests and approvals Test access package request workflows, approval processes, and automatic provisioning to verify entitlement management works correctly.
Test Azure AD Connect backup and restore Test Azure AD Connect backup and restore procedures to verify synchronization configuration can be recovered in case of failure.
Create disaster recovery test plan Create disaster recovery test plan including backup and restore procedures, failover scenarios, and recovery time objectives.
Test tenant failover procedures Test tenant failover procedures to verify that operations can continue in case of primary tenant unavailability or disaster scenarios.
Test user provisioning and deprovisioning Test automated user provisioning and deprovisioning workflows to ensure users are created, updated, and removed correctly in applications.
Execute go-live1w Execute the production go-live including final system checks, activation of production features, and initial monitoring.
Monitor initial sign-ins and access Monitor initial user sign-ins and application access to identify any issues or errors that need immediate attention.
Monitor synchronization status Monitor directory synchronization status to ensure objects are being synchronized correctly and identify any synchronization errors.
Monitor conditional access policy enforcement Monitor conditional access policy enforcement to verify policies are being applied correctly and users are not experiencing unexpected access denials.
Monitor security alerts and incidents Monitor security alerts and incidents to identify potential security threats or policy violations that require investigation or response.
Set up go-live support team Set up go-live support team including help desk staff, administrators, and technical support to assist users during the go-live period.
Create go-live communication plan Create go-live communication plan to inform users about the Entra ID implementation, changes, and how to access support.
Create go-live checklist Create comprehensive go-live checklist including all pre-go-live tasks, verification steps, and readiness criteria.
Perform pre-go-live system verification Perform comprehensive pre-go-live system verification to ensure all components are configured correctly and ready for production use.
Enable production directory synchronization Enable production directory synchronization to start synchronizing all users, groups, and attributes from on-premises AD to Azure Entra ID.
Verify directory synchronization is running Verify directory synchronization is running correctly and all objects are synchronized as expected.
Verify all conditional access policies are enabled Verify all conditional access policies are enabled and configured correctly for production use.
Verify all applications are integrated and accessible Verify all applications are integrated with Entra ID and accessible to users with appropriate authentication and authorization.
Verify monitoring and alerting are operational Verify monitoring and alerting systems are operational and configured to notify administrators of issues or security events.
Activate production features Activate all production features including conditional access policies, identity protection, and monitoring that were configured in test mode.
Enable production application access Enable production application access to allow users to access all integrated applications through Entra ID authentication.
Execute go-live cutover Execute go-live cutover by activating all production features and enabling user access to Entra ID and integrated applications.
Post-implementation support1w Provide post-implementation support including issue resolution, lessons learned documentation, and handover to operations team.
Provide immediate post-go-live support Provide immediate post-go-live support to resolve urgent issues, assist users with access problems, and address critical system errors.
Resolve post-go-live issues Resolve post-go-live issues including user access problems, configuration errors, and integration issues to ensure smooth operations.
Monitor system performance and stability1d Monitor system performance and stability to ensure Entra ID and integrated applications are performing well and meeting service level objectives.
Collect user feedback Collect user feedback about the Entra ID implementation including user experience, issues encountered, and suggestions for improvement.
Document lessons learned Document lessons learned from the implementation project including what went well, challenges faced, and recommendations for future projects.
Create operational runbooks Create operational runbooks for common administrative tasks, troubleshooting procedures, and incident response workflows.
Create post-implementation report Create comprehensive post-implementation report documenting project completion, achievements, metrics, and recommendations for ongoing operations.
Hand over to operations team Formally hand over Entra ID operations to the operations team including documentation, access credentials, and ongoing support responsibilities.
Conduct knowledge transfer sessions Conduct knowledge transfer sessions with operations team to ensure they understand the Entra ID configuration, policies, and operational procedures.

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