When a team or an individual is handling a project, it must be perfect, right from the initial planning phase to the final product, without any faults. Even a single silly mistake can ruin the whole project. Doing a project without any mistakes takes a detailed step-by-step process, integral to result-driven project implementation.
This whole process management plan is a combination of four main phases that determine every aspect of the project- And they are- Planning, Build-up, Implementation & Closeout. Any project at hand (big or small) requires these four significant phases of Project Development.
Whether developing a website, designing a new office, or moving to a new job location, these four steps shall carry out a structured project. All these steps are complementary to each other and contribute to the overall success of the project. They might overlap each other at specific points.
After the planning and structuring are completed, project implementation is the most crucial phase.
It is where the plan is put into action, and all the strategies are carried out. The thought-out structure is executed in this phase, and the results are analyzed later.
This post will take you deep into what is project implementation and how you can do it by using different methods of implementing a project-
Table of Contents
What is Project Implementation?
Is the plan of the project ready? Then it is now time to put the plan into action.
Project Implementation is the last stage before the analysis of the outcome where all such actions take place.
This stage is the most challenging one in terms of implementation, details, and high team coordination requirements.
The Project Implementation phase has two essential functions: execution of the work and proper delivery. The resources used in the implementation have to be accurate.
Based on the implementation, the project’s fate is decided. The success and effectiveness can only be known after proper monitoring and feedback. This phase of delivering provides the client with an outlook of the project.
The key to a successful implementation is proper structuring and coordination at the managerial level. The primary ingredients that form the base of project implementation are:
Key Ingredients of Successful Project Implementation
For the successful implementation of a project, you need to
- Execute the planned details into a full-proof action plan
- Document every little detail in this stage, from decisions to results at every step
- Have an efficient line of communication in place across the hierarchy
- Take quick decisions if the need for a change of plan felt instantly.
- Form a consensus about the changes and implement immediately
There are three broad areas of concern in this stage of the project implementation.
The first one is Project Scope Management, Project Time Management, and finally, Project Cost Management.
These areas help resolve constraints in terms of the scope, budget, and time required for its implementation and success. It helps arrive at the uniformity of decisions regarding the same.
Let us now go through different methods of project implementation here and now-
Methods of Project Implementation
1. Critical Chain Method
If the Chain method’s implementation method, the most critical component is to compare the actual results with the expected results.
If the results fall in line with the desired output, the plan can be taken further. If the result does not fall in line with the expected outcome, a change of plans or goals must be implemented.
In this implementation process, there are some powerful tools required for structured coordination among the managerial personnel. These tools are as follows;
- Meetings to kick-off the work
- Regular meetings with the staff
- Special status meetings
- Workshops for risk analysis
- Workshops for problem-solving
- Review meetings
2. Extreme project management
Extreme project management method (XPM) is used to implement projects by planning along with an open approach, reducing formalism, and deterministic management.
This project implementation method focuses on the human factor instead of formal methods and rigid phases of project management.
You can opt for this method of implementation for complex, large, and uncertain projects.
3. Critical Path technique
This method revolves around an algorithm used for scheduling and planning projects.
In this project implementation method, the longest path from the beginning to the end of any project is analyzed by finalizing and understanding the associated critical tasks.
Different tasks that might influence the deadlines of the entire project come under scrutiny here.
This method should be used to manage and implement complex projects for which deadlines and delivery terms are important.
4. Program Evaluation and Review Technique
PERT method is applicable in different areas. It comprises detailed and complex planning alongside visual tracking.
The US Navy developed this technique during the Cold war for optimizing efficiency.
You can use it for large and long-term projects that incorporate challenging and non-routine tasks.
5. Agile method
With the Agile method, a set of principles that are dependent upon the value-centered approach.
In this project implementation method, a project is divided into short sprints with adaptive planning and continual improvement. It also fosters self-organization and collaboration of teams targeted for producing maximum value.
Some such techniques are Scrum, DSDM, Kanban, FDD, and so on. You can use it for software development projects that revolve around multiple iterations, and small and collaborative teams opt for them.
6. Classic technique
This is one of the simplest methods used for managing and implementing a project.
The classic method revolves around preparing a plan of upcoming work and then estimating tasks that are supposed to perform. Accordingly, resources are assigned.
Then giving and getting feedback and monitoring deadlines and quality is done. This technique is primarily used to run projects by small teams when it is inevitable to implement complicated procedures.
Steps in the process of Project Implementation
For a project to be successful, all the necessary steps are taken as precautions. The delivery of the project means giving out a final product of your work. The project management includes mapping out the idea, processing the project, analyzing the outcomes, discussing the project, and finally executing the outcome.
Risk mitigation and success probabilities are also checked. Every client is different, so studying their views and background before presenting the idea is very important.
But the project implementation is not as easy as it looks and sounds.
There are multiple steps involved to ensure a successful implementation of the project at hand. These steps are uniform across all business organizations that harmonize these implementation techniques across all departments and teams.
With predetermined resources and cost numbers, an organization shall be successful in implementing these techniques.
These Project Implementation Steps are as follows:
1. Have a firm eye on the process and the budget
In the implementation phase, it is crucial to look at the bigger picture.
There is various project monitoring software to ensure that the management focuses on the end-goal and is not engulfed in petty, unimportant details.
It is also essential to respond quickly to changes at every step of execution and have the entire team on-board to implement these.
Have an explanation in place for overriding costs that spurt in the last stages. These might be to adhere strictly to the schedule or unaccounted inflationary pressures.
The processes involved in the whole project may exceed costs, or there might be some problems during the management phase. The team may get distracted with unwanted suggestions and may not focus on the project’s main target.
So supervising the overall activities and keeping track of the happenings is necessary.
2. Prepare Reports along the way
In the implementation phase, the stakeholders in business demand updates and status report always. Being up-to-date with the progress and documenting it neatly comes in handy to present the statistics to the stakeholders at any point in time.
While you execute the project idea to the clients or stakeholders, you have to be mentally prepared for all the queries raised. They may ask about a minor aspect and small proceedings of any of the preparation phases.
The project presenter should be ready with all the recorded data during the initial stages, like planning and building up.
To avoid any trouble during the implementation, start making reports, and collect data from day one. Hence you will be prepared with the data that will act as your backup strategy.
3. Hold periodic meetings regularly
Looking at the bigger picture, the person might get lost along the way and falls off the track.
To ensure that everyone is on the same page with the progress, it is essential to hold general and specific meetings within smaller groups. Keep an eye on production numbers and revenue goals in agenda meetings.
This step is crucial to maintain team spirit. The project is not a one-person job. Instead, several hands are needed to make it successful. Without a team effort, the project would lack strength.
So regular meetings will also encourage sharing ideas, feedback on ongoing proceedings, and brainstorming sessions.
4. Rekindle enthusiasm in the working personnel
It is necessary to review progress along the way; it is equally important to successfully reward the staff to complete small and big targets.
Performance Review is an essential aspect of the Project Implementation phase.
It accounts for a significant part of enhancing individual productivity that aids the overall performance in the long run.
5. Resolve Issues at the initial stage
At this crucial stage of project implementation, resolving issues as soon as or before they emerge becomes hugely significant.
Paying attention to details, loss of team enthusiasm, scope creep, or dip in the quality should be tackled as soon as it begins to appear.
This early response to stress leads to a smoother implementation.
Importance of Project Implementation
As a part of the maturity rankings of project management, proper implementation becomes very crucial.
A successful history with a tried and tested implementation plan can help execute complex projects in less time and limited resources. It adds value to the organization’s stature in the market to take the project smoothly from the natal stage right until the end.
The best practices that can come in handy in the process of project Implementation are:
- Defining clearly the project scope while planning the project
- Having all the desired outcomes structured on a visual timeline
- Show the readiness to tweak the plan all along the way.
- Keeping a close eye on the performance metrics of the staff
- Conduct quality checks periodically.
A proper structure comes in handy to trace the completion of the project step by step.
With the appropriate tools and technology, it can help accomplish the project long before the set deadline. It also ensures that the projects are accomplished with the desired level of quality and budget numbers.
Thus, it is evident how the best practices come in handy for a successful project implementation journey.
Final Thoughts about Project Implementation!
Project implementation is not the final stage, but it decides whether your project is successful and practically possible.
If you are doing a client project, the opposite party (client) expects the execution to work finely. A small mistake can be accepted, but significant drawbacks may lead to failure. Make sure the project is analyzed well, and no open ends are left.
A detailed report on the proceedings has to be maintained to show your work’s clarity and transparency. The closeout phase of the project follows the implementation phase. Even the last phase is equally important and should not be affected by the earlier phases’ results.
Remember that project implementation is about delivering the idea of the project and executing the whole matter.
On the concluding note, we would like to have looked upon your definition of project implementation as per your understanding of the concept after reading this post!
Feel free to share your thoughts about the right ways of implementing a project in the comment section below.
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