Every business decision needs a solid implementation plan to guide the execution and evaluation necessary for success. From starting a new team to a new business venture or strategy, you need to make a solid plan and create a foundation for your project before you surge ahead.
Without careful planning, your implementation will likely fall short of expectations. But how do you create an implementation plan, and what are the key steps you should follow to ensure that your project is successful? If you have a project looming on the horizon and need to ensure it goes off without a hitch, adopt these six steps to create an effective implementation plan.
What Is An Implementation Plan?
Implementation isn’t just a fancy word with a ton of syllables. It’s a process encompassing the entire journey of your project, from strategy to execution. In other words, it turns the ideas of your project into reality.
If implementation still sounds foreign, you might have heard it used in conjunction with another popular project management term: strategic plan. A strategic plan works side by side with an implementation plan and is a comprehensive document that outlines your project’s goals, objectives, and implementation strategy.
In its most simplistic form, the strategic plan is the “what,” and the implementation plan is the “how.”
While a strategic plan is essential, it’s not enough to guarantee success. After all, a strategic plan without implementation is nothing more than an idea. That’s where an implementation plan comes in. An implementation plan details how you’ll go about executing your project strategy and achieving your desired outcomes. So let’s discuss those outcomes and check out the “how” of implementation plans.
Create Your Plan
Creating an implementation plan might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. But if you break down the process into manageable steps, you’ll be able to create an implementation plan with ease. By following these six steps, you can stay consistent with your project from the beginning, middle, and end and guarantee you are running across the finish line with a win!
Step 1: Define Your Objectives
The first step to create an implementation plan is to define your objectives. Without clear goals, it won’t be easy to measure the success of your project. When determining your objectives, make sure they are SMART Goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This will ensure that your objectives are clear and attainable.
Step 2: Outline the Scope of Your Project
After you have defined your objectives, you need to outline the scope of your project. The scope of your project includes everything that needs to be done to achieve your objectives. This might seem like a no-brainer, but outlining the scope of your project early on will save you a lot of headaches later.
Step 3: Create a Timeline
With a general idea of what needs to be done, it’s time to create a timeline. A timeline will help you stay on track and ensure that your project is completed on time. When creating your timeline template, allow some wiggle room for unexpected delays. You can also visually build your timeline using Gantt chart software or other more robust project management software. (More on that later!)
Step 4: Assign Resources
After you have created a timeline, it’s time to assign resources. This includes assigning tasks to team members and allocating the budget for your project. Make sure you are realistic when assigning resources.
For example, overloading team members with too much work will lead to burnout and poor quality work. On the other hand, not giving team members enough to do will lead to boredom and resentment. Try to walk the middle ground here and make realistic expectations for both the internal team and the external shareholders.
Step 5: Create a Communication Plan
Speaking of external shareholders – this step is crucial: creating a communication plan. A well-thought-out communication plan is a must to keep everyone on the same page and ensure that your project runs smoothly.
Without communication, projects can quickly become derailed. Think, the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, and all heck breaks out! So, when you are creating your communication plan, be sure to include who needs to be updated and how often they need to be in the loop.
Step 6: Review and Revise
The final step in creating an implementation plan is reviewing and revising your plan. As your project progresses, you might find that specific tasks need to be added or removed from the scope of your project. By regularly reviewing and revising your implementation plan, you can ensure that your project stays on track.
Why You Need an Implementation Plan
Aside from identifying the “how” of your project, there are many reasons you need an implementation plan for your next big project. Here are just a few:
- It helps ensure everyone is on the same page
- Defines roles and responsibilities
- Allocates resources effectively
- Provides actionable timelines and milestones
Project Management Software For Your Implementation Plan
If the thought of keeping all of your tasks, timelines, and communications sorted and on track gives you pangs of anxiety, don’t worry – you don’t have to track all of these steps manually. That’s what an excellent project management software is for!
If you use a PM platform like Hive, you can create and assign tasks, set deadlines, add files and resources, and track the progress of your implementation plan – all in one place.
Using a project management tool to create your implementation plan can save time and ensure everyone is always on the same page. Hive also comes with helpful automation and multiple calendar views to see who is working on what project and when!
Get Your Plan Started
Now that you know how to create an implementation plan, it’s time to put your knowledge into action! Use these six steps to develop an implementation plan for your next big project. And don’t forget to use a project management software program like Hive to help you execute and track your progress. With a solid implementation plan in place, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your objectives – and ensuring the success of your project.
