What is project implementation?

Simply put, project implementation is the actual doing of the project. In agile or adaptive project management, project implementation consists of

• planning the project’s cycles or sprints
• carrying out each of these
• checking in with your customers
• and then planning and re-planning the next cycle/sprint. 

The project team works to fulfill the objectives of each phase. Each phase achieves deliverables along the way – which are the products, services, or other outputs of the project. Throughout the project implementation process, the combination of various deliverables builds up to achieve what customers actually expect from the project.

The importance of project implementation

Actions speak louder than words. The initial plan and project scope are useful to establish the project’s general framework. But without effective project implementation, your project cannot provide the deliverables your customer needs. 

The project implementation phase usually includes 

• measuring the success of each stage 
• analyzing the team’s effort to improve the ways of working 
• responding to any changes that emerge throughout the project
• and ensuring consistent communication with the customer.

Effective project implementation provides many advantages. Your company meets your customer’s needs while staying within the project timeline and budget.

The project team regularly supplies deliverables. This consistency during the project adds value to your customer’s investment. Opportunities to establish and/or maintain quality customer relations benefit the success of the project. A high-quality relationship with the customer can help get more projects in the future. Continual review of the project implementation gives the project team learning points to further improve project delivery. An engaged, empowered, and satisfied project team that wants to work hard, collaborate and do the best job possible – happy workers lead to better work.

7 steps of project implementation

Activate your initial project plan by following these implementation steps.

Step 1: Reassess the plan.

Go back to the initial plan and scope. Break the plan down into smaller objectives that can be satisfied during short periods of work – this is called a cycle or sprint. 

Identify dependencies and priorities (ie, does any work have to be done before other work?). Identify cycles that can be done simultaneously. Why bother with this, you ask? Because you need to frontload as much as possible to deliver as much value as early as possible. 

• Estimate the cycles on a project timeline.
• Determine unique cycle budgets. 
• Decide what KPIs or other analysis tools are appropriate. 
• Ensure transparency tools are put into place (eg, Kanban boards, burndown charts, a cloud-based project management tool like WeekWise, etc). 
• Within the constraints of time and budget, allocate resources (ie, the project team members) and identify missing resources.  

WeekWise lets you plan resources according to your time and budget on an adjustable, transparent timeline.

Step 2: Plan the cycle/sprint.

Reassess and finalize resources for the cycle. Ensure the human resources all know what their tasks are. Identify potential stress points and possible solutions.

Related topic: Tips on how to reduce the stress of completing a project

Step 3: Work through cycle/sprint.

The project team gets to work to fulfill each of their tasks for the cycle (or simultaneous cycles). 

Step 4: Monitor the work.

This step goes in parallel with Step 2. The project manager and team members monitor the work. Daily standup meetings are a forum for consistent work updates and identifying issues and solutions. 

Record-keeping is a key for keeping an eye on progress and KPIs. A cloud-based project management tool such as WeekWise can give the team more transparency if they can record work done, problems, or even upcoming days off. The project manager supports the team, keeps any necessary reports up-to-date, monitors budget and time, and resolves any resourcing issues. 

Step 5: Update the customer.

Designated team members (probably the project manager but not limited) report and provide the cycle deliverables to the customer and ensure satisfaction criteria are met. The customer informs the team of any changes or further needs. 

Remember, there is no need to wait to talk to the customer until steps 2 and 3 are complete. Each project is different so informal communication channels with the customer can be very useful.

Step 6: Learning points.

Before going to the next cycle, the team reflects on the recently completed cycle. Identifying learning points and solutions leads to more effective future cycles.

Step 7: Go back to Step 2.

In agile or adaptive project management frameworks, the project implementation is iterative or cyclical, so the team then plans for the next stage. Steps 2-7 continue to cycle around until the project is complete.

Tips to implement a successful project

Be flexible and adapt.

Implementing a project plan definitely does not mean following the original plan 100%. Change is constant so be ready for it! Cyclical re-planning allows the project manager and team to operate adaptively. That means making necessary changes throughout the project implementation process in response to emerging issues or changing customer needs. Simply put, it reduces waste and increases efficiency.

Focus on the customer.

You have no project without your customer. The project team should continually ask themselves this question: ‘Does this help the customer get what they need?’.
If the answer is ‘no’,  step back and reassess that stage of the project. Also, a good relationship with the customer creates empathy so it is easier to resolve any emerging issues.

Remember the project scope.

The project implementation stages are bound by time, budget, and resource allocation constraints. Make sure the work is achievable and realistic within these demanding constraints. The project manager tracks the budget, keeps up-to-date with how the team members are doing their work, and stays aware of any risks that might lead to delays. The project manager makes timely adjustments and adaptions to best suit the project scope.

Motivate the project team.

Keeping your team motivated is key to success. Create an atmosphere full of teamwork, collaboration, and shared accountability. And, of course, celebrate the team’s achievements throughout the project implementation phases.

Use a cloud-based project management tool.

Tools like WeekWise visualize the project implementation timeline and resource allocation. Because of this, WeekWise makes it incredibly easy to manage the implementation stages. And this saves precious time. 

WeekWise also clearly presents the captured data from your planning and facilitates smooth transitions during the implementation stages. It’s easy to adjust your resource allocation, stay on budget, and deliver on time with the tool. It’s about time to check how Weekwise works 🙂