During the planning stage of a Sales Cloud implementation, defining goals, metrics, project schedules, and sales processes is critical for a successful rollout. This foundational step ensures that the implementation aligns with the client's business objectives and provides clear criteria for measuring success. Salesforce recommends that implementation planning includes establishing a timeline, setting achievable goals, and documenting existing and desired sales processes. These elements form the basis for effective project management and help in aligning the solution with the client’s business needs.

Identifying Salesforce features and designing a prototype are valuable steps, but they typically occur after establishing clear goals and requirements. Proper planning sets the stage for these subsequent tasks.

Salesforce Documentation References:

Salesforce Implementation Best Practices

Sales Cloud Planning Guide