Introduction

Once the project has been planned and approved, the implementation process starts and the project manager and team put the plan into action. This chapter considers the following topics: implementing the project by managing people and resources; rolling out the project plan; reporting on the project's progress; identifying and managing problems and potential problems, including blockages, project slippage, quality and complex issues; reviewing the project process; and completing the project.

Implementing the project plan

At the implementation stage of the project, the plan is put into action. This phase involves managing people, resources (e.g. finances) and the project process.

It is vital to the success of a project that the project team develops to become effective and focused by developing appropriate working practices. The team may be diverse and perhaps virtual, or made up of volunteers. If you are involved in working on a strategic project, you also need to consider the people side in some depth and use change management tools and techniques. Failure to take into account customers’, colleagues’, team members’, partners’ and/or stakeholders’ responses to the project may lead to its collapse. Chapter 9 covers the people side of projects in detail and Chapter 10 discusses the process of working with partners.

Another important area for the project manager to manage is the finances. Basic knowledge about simple financial procedures of your organisation or funding body (if the project is externally funded) are essential if the project finances are to be professionally managed and kept within the project budget. Breaking basic financial rules may have serious consequences so gain advice and guidance from your organisation and the funding body (if the project is externally funded) before proceeding to implement the project. Financial management is considered in Chapter 8.

This section focuses on the project process: communications with the team, monitoring, tracking and – where necessary – taking corrective action. Effective project managers juggle many different tasks and issues, and respond proactively to problems and challenges as they arise during the project implementation process.