Independent Enterprise CRM Architecture & Assurance

Independent, client-side CRM architecture and assurance to help organisations make confident technology decisions, challenge implementation risks and protect their CRM investments — from strategy through delivery and improvement.

How I Can Help

UNDERSTAND & PLAN

CRM Performance & Architecture Diagnostic

Identify why your existing CRM isn't delivering expected value. Assess architectural, process, data and adoption issues, and establish a prioritised improvement roadmap.

UNDERSTAND & PLAN

CRM Strategy & Solution Architecture

Define a CRM strategy and solution architecture aligned with your business objectives, including system responsibilities, integration principles and a practical implementation roadmap.

ASSESS & PROTECT

CRM Investment & Proposal Review

Get an independent assessment of a proposed CRM investment or implementation partner's solution before committing. Identify architectural risks, challenge assumptions and establish whether the proposal is fit for purpose.

ASSESS & PROTECT

CRM Integration & Data Architecture Review

Assess how CRM connects with your wider business systems. Review integration design, data ownership and customer identity approaches to identify risks and recommend improvements.

DELIVER & IMPROVE

CRM Architecture & Delivery Assurance

Provide independent architectural oversight throughout CRM implementation. Challenge design decisions, identify emerging risks and assess delivery against agreed objectives — without replacing your implementation partner.

DELIVER & IMPROVE

CRM Solution Design & Delivery Advisory

Provide hands-on architectural leadership for selected CRM initiatives, from solution design through integration, migration, testing and adoption. Work alongside internal teams and specialist partners to guide delivery.

Engagements & Fees

I offer fixed-fee reviews and diagnostics where the scope and deliverables can be clearly defined.

For ongoing implementation assurance, architecture advisory and more complex engagements, I provide tailored proposals based on the level of support required.

Every engagement begins with an initial, no-obligation conversation to understand your challenges and establish how I can help.

Why Work With Me?

Portrait of Emma Stringer, independent CRM architect and founder of Cognis CRM Advisory.

Independent Expertise. Proven Experience.

I'm Emma Stringer, an independent CRM architect and adviser with experience spanning CRM strategy, solution architecture, complex integrations and implementation delivery.

My experience goes beyond designing solutions. I led the turnaround of an unsuccessful Salesforce investment, architecting and delivering a working global CRM solution with an initial rollout in just three months. I've also resolved complex CRM and ERP integration challenges where architectural decisions were critical to reliable business operations.

I work on your side of the table. My focus is on helping you make sound decisions, challenge assumptions and achieve lasting value from your CRM investment.

“You were the mastermind and leader of it!”

Rod Alderton
Former Acting CTO

Architecture in Practice

Real-world CRM challenges rarely have simple answers. These examples show how I've approached complex architectural problems, challenged assumptions and delivered practical outcomes.

CASE STUDY 01

Turning Around an Underperforming Salesforce Investment

Reviewing the existing CRM landscape and securing stakeholder buy-in for a fresh Salesforce solution. Executing the project from requirements gathering and solution architecture through to delivery and rollout.

3 months to initial rollout

A functioning global CRM solution with secure, automated territory-based account access and a foundation for wider adoption.

Read the full case study →

CASE STUDY 02

When One Customer ID Isn't Enough

Designing reliable customer matching across Salesforce and ERP, balancing automation with business judgement.

4 years later — original architecture independently re-validated

A subsequent review by senior IT leadership and technical specialists confirmed that the original architectural approach remained the right solution.

Read the full case study →

Let's Talk CRM

Whether you're planning a CRM investment, tackling architectural challenges or seeking independent assurance, I'd welcome a conversation about how I can help.