The project execution phase is the moment when your plan comes together. But no matter how carefully you’ve mapped things out, it’s still easy to drift off track, lose momentum, and hit snags.
Communication problems, scope creep, and other hurdles can all hold you back from delivering on your plans and promises. The trick? Plan for those, too.
Here’s how to make your project execution phase a smooth journey.
In this guide:
What is a project plan?
A project plan is the roadmap your team needs to follow to complete a project — and the individual tasks within it — to specification and deadline. Everything needs to be clear, from schedule and scope to due dates and deliverables.
An effective project plan should guide your team and stakeholders through every project lifecycle phase — from initiation to planning, execution, and beyond.
The comprehensive scope of a project plan sets it apart from other project documents, like a work breakdown structure, which is concerned solely with the execution phase.
The project plan helps to:
- Confirm and clarify project objectives
- Establish the scope of work
- Manage expectations
- Understand resource requirements
- Determine project duration and cost
- Prevent scope creep
- Keep the team focused
- Promote accountability
- Address risk management
- Improve communication
- Maintain quality control
What is project execution?
Project execution involves carrying out the details of your project charter to deliver your products or services to your clients or internal stakeholders. It’s the phase in project management where the project manager shifts their focus to performing and supervising all activities to create the deliverables outlined in the project execution plan (PEP).
A project execution plan is a vital operational document that expands on the project business plan by specifying day-to-day management procedures and control plans. It enables those completing the tasks to deliver the expected results, as per the agreed project business plan.
The execution phase is challenging, and strategic alignment is crucial to success. You’ll need to ensure that the project’s overarching aims and objectives align with both the PEP and your stakeholders’ expectations.
During this phase, the project execution plan is vital — it specifies everything from day-to-day management to control plans and beyond. Additionally, stakeholder involvement in the planning phase is crucial. Without scope approval, the objectives’ expectations may differ from the finished product. Regular reviews are equally important.
Regular reviews and handoffs between teams are essential throughout the project to keep it on track. You’ll need an infrastructure to do this. Utilize checklists, regular meetings, and trackers to keep everyone on track and informed.
Project execution components.
To successfully master a project, you must stay on top of the key elements that drive efficiency, collaboration, and results. Here are the key components of project execution.
Leading a high-performing team.
Strong leadership isn’t just about assigning tasks — it’s about building a team that thrives and delivers results under pressure. Here’s how to build a great team dynamic:
- Team management. Establish open communication channels and ensure everyone understands their roles. Delegate tasks strategically, matching skills to assignments. Regular feedback sessions keep everyone aligned, supported, and motivated.
- Empowering your team. Encourage team members to take ownership of their roles. Empowering them to make decisions within their scope helps create a sense of accountability and proactive problem-solving.
Managing resources and mitigating project risks.
Efficient resource allocation and proactive risk management are essential to keep your project on track and on budget.
- Resource management. Ensuring that the necessary resources — including personnel, equipment, materials, and budget — are available and efficiently utilized is essential for keeping the project on track.
- Risk mitigation. It is critical to identify and mitigate potential risks that could derail the project. This involves conducting regular risk assessments, developing mitigation strategies, and having contingency plans in place.
Communication and collaboration.
Open and effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful project.
- Clear communication. Effective communication is paramount for keeping everyone informed and aligned. This includes regular status meetings, clear and concise reporting, and open communication channels to address concerns and feedback.
- Quality control. Regular quality checks ensure that your final deliverable meets and exceeds expectations. A robust quality control process builds confidence and delivers exceptional results.
Monitoring and control.
Continuous monitoring and control are essential to delivering your project to deadline and budget.
- Progress tracking. Monitor progress, track KPIs and compare actual performance against your plan. That way, you can catch issues early and take swift action. This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making and keeps your project on course.
- Corrective actions. When issues occur, address the root cause promptly. This might involve adjusting timelines, reallocating resources, or revising the project plan. A proactive approach minimizes the impact of setbacks and ensures project success.
How do I measure project execution?
You can measure the success of project execution by creating benchmarks in your project plan. Once the execution phase is underway, this can help you keep your budget, deadlines, and output on track.
Project execution gaps.
Execution gaps signify the difference between planned strategy and actual results. This gap often widens throughout a project for various reasons, such as resource bottlenecks, scope creep, communication issues, or misalignment between the plan and operational realities.
Project alignment.
Without a clear definition and direction outlined in your project charter, there could be real issues or just general confusion before everyone can get on the same page. Take steps to effectively communicate your process, gather all the relevant stakeholders, and hold a meeting to kick off the execution phase officially.
This will allow you to run through the plan and get feedback from everyone involved. Not only can this help ensure everyone knows their role within the process, but it will also refresh everyone’s memory of the original project aims and objectives.
Scope creep.
Every project involves some iteration and adaptation when the goal posts move slightly. If your plan doesn’t account for these changes, sticking rigidly to the plan can be one of the main causes of an execution gap.
However, too many change requests can alter the parameters of the original brief, leaving you with more to achieve in less time, which is known as scope creep. Keeping track of where changes have been made and how these changes will affect resources, capacity, and deadlines is essential to avoid too much disruption to your original plans.
Team transition and flexibility.
When delegating a project to another team to continue, you’d hope the transition goes smoothly and according to plan. However, there could be numerous reasons why this doesn’t happen.
You may find your project schedule benefits from baked-in contingency time to cover potential time sinks like team onboarding, status updates, and even illness. Take all these into account and ensure that timelines are adapted accordingly.
Planning for handoffs.
When projects involve team transitions, a smooth handover can help you minimize disruption. Here are a few things to consider:
- Contingency time. Schedule for contingency time to account for potential delays during team onboarding, status updates, and unforeseen absences.
- Knowledge transfer. Implement a thorough knowledge transfer process to ensure that the new team fully understands the project’s status, goals, and next steps. A proper handover document, including all project plans, responsibilities, and key stakeholders, is essential.
Resource constraints.
Inadequate resource allocation or unforeseen resource constraints can lead to major issues down the line. These could include:
- Insufficient personnel. Lack of appropriately skilled personnel can lead to delays and impact the quality of work.
- Equipment shortages. A lack of necessary equipment can create bottlenecks and prevent tasks from being completed on schedule.
- Budget limitations. Insufficient funding can restrict access to necessary resources and limit the project’s scope.
- Unforeseen dependencies. Unexpected delays in obtaining necessary materials or information from external sources can create significant roadblocks.
Addressing resource constraints requires proactive planning, careful resource allocation, and a flexible approach. Developing scenario plans, exploring alternative resources, and prioritizing tasks based on capacity is a great way to go.
By proactively addressing these common execution gaps, project managers can significantly increase the likelihood of delivering projects successfully, on time, and within budget. A well-defined plan, effective communication, proactive risk management, and a flexible approach are essential for bridging the gap between plan and reality.
Project execution methodologies – how Adobe Workfront can help.
Selecting the appropriate project execution methodology is crucial for success. Different methodologies offer unique approaches, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Adobe Workfront empowers teams to adapt and thrive regardless of their chosen methodology. Some of the most popular methodologies include:
- Agile. This iterative approach prioritizes flexibility and collaboration, adapting to changing requirements throughout the project lifecycle. Workfront Kanban boards and sprint management features provide the visual tools and workflow management necessary for successful Agile execution. Workfront’s real-time collaboration tools further support the Agile emphasis on communication and teamwork.
- Waterfall. This linear approach follows a sequential process with clearly defined phases, ideal for projects with well-defined requirements and minimal anticipated changes. Workfront’s robust task management, scheduling, and progress tracking features provide the structure and control needed for effective Waterfall project execution. Its Gantt chart functionality offers a clear visual representation of the project timeline and task dependencies.
- Hybrid. Many projects benefit from a hybrid approach, combining elements of Agile and Waterfall to use the strengths of both. Workfront's adaptable platform seamlessly supports this blended approach, allowing teams to tailor workflows to their specific needs. Its flexibility allows for the integration of both iterative and sequential elements, providing structure where needed while maintaining the agility to adapt to change.
- Scrum. This framework utilizes short iterations (sprints) to deliver incremental value. Workfront’s task management and progress tracking features enable efficient sprint planning, execution, and review. Its real-time collaboration tools facilitate daily Scrum meetings and knowledge sharing.
- Kanban. The Kanban visual system focuses on workflow management and continuous improvement. Workfront’s Kanban board functionality provides a visual representation of the workflow, enabling teams to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and optimize processes.
- Lean. This methodology emphasizes waste reduction and efficiency. Adobe Workfront’s features for task prioritization, resource allocation, and progress tracking help teams identify and eliminate waste, streamlining processes and maximizing efficiency.
- Six Sigma. This data-driven approach prioritizes defect reduction and quality improvement. Workfront’s reporting and analytics capabilities provide the data-driven insights needed to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that quality standards are met.
- PRINCE2. This structured method emphasizes organization and control. Workfront’s features for project planning, task management, and progress tracking provide the framework needed for effective PRINCE2 project execution. Its reporting capabilities support the PRINCE2 focus on regular progress reporting and stakeholder communication.
- PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). Workfront aligns with the comprehensive standards and guidelines of PMBOK, providing the tools and functionalities needed to support various project management best practices. Its flexibility allows teams to tailor workflows to adhere to specific PMBOK guidelines.
Strategies for successful project execution.
Executing projects effectively goes beyond simply following a plan. Here are some key strategies to enhance your project execution.
- Utilize project management software. Streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and centralize task, resource, and communication management with project management software.
- Delegate tasks effectively. Assign tasks based on individual skills and expertise. Provide clear instructions, deadlines, and necessary resources to empower team members. This approach fosters ownership and efficiency, maximizing individual contributions.
- Align on project execution goals. Ensure everyone understands the deliverables and how the project aligns with the organization’s long-term vision. Understanding the “why” fosters commitment and prioritizes tasks effectively. This shared understanding drives team cohesion and ensures everyone works toward the same objectives.
- Work backwards from your end goals. Define objectives clearly at the outset. Working backward from your end goals helps visualize how each task contributes to the final product. This reverse-engineering approach ensures that every task serves a clear purpose and contributes to the overall success.
- Set major milestones. Establish key milestones to track progress and maintain momentum. Setting deadlines and anticipated resource usage for these milestones allows for proactively identifying and managing potential delays. This approach provides regular checkpoints for assessing progress and making necessary adjustments.
- Collaborate. Encourage open communication and collective problem solving. Create a supportive environment where ideas are shared freely, and challenges are addressed collaboratively. This approach uses the team's collective intelligence, leading to more creative and robust solutions.
- Measure progress. Track progress against KPIs and milestones. Use project management tools to monitor task completion, resource utilization, and budget adherence. This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making and course correction.
- Proactive risk management: Regularly assess potential risks throughout the project lifecycle. Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges. This proactive approach minimizes the impact of unexpected events and ensures project resilience.
- Continuous improvement: Regularly review processes and identify areas for improvement. Incorporate lessons learned from past projects to refine future approaches. This iterative approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness
- Stakeholder management: Failing to manage stakeholder expectations or address their concerns can lead to dissatisfaction and resistance to project outcomes. Ensure regular check-ins and open communication with stakeholders to manage expectations, share updates, and foster collaboration where needed.
Execute projects efficiently with Workfront.
Successfully executing a complex project requires conscious, consistent effort, as miscommunication, scope creep, and other hurdles can all hinder your ability to deliver on your plans and promises.
Centralize all project execution communication, stakeholder roles, and project details into one platform. Adobe Workfront can help your team track project execution progress, next steps, and what remains to complete a project.
Watch the Workfront overview video here.
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