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The Benefits of Implementing ERP Software in Your Business

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying competitive and efficient is crucial for the success of any organization. One way to achieve this is by implementing an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software system. ERP software streamlines and integrates various business processes, allowing companies to improve productivity, reduce costs, and make informed decisions. In this article, we will explore the benefits of implementing ERP software in your business.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

One of the primary benefits of implementing ERP software is increased efficiency and productivity within your organization. With an integrated system that connects different departments such as finance, sales, inventory management, and human resources, employees can access real-time information and collaborate more effectively. This eliminates the need for manual data entry or switching between multiple systems, saving valuable time and reducing errors.

ERP software also automates repetitive tasks such as generating reports or processing transactions, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic activities. This improved efficiency leads to increased productivity across all levels of the organization.

Enhanced Decision-Making

In today’s data-driven world, making informed decisions is crucial for business success. ERP software provides a centralized database that captures and stores data from various departments in real-time. This enables managers to have a comprehensive view of the company’s performance through customizable dashboards and reports.

With access to accurate and up-to-date information on sales trends, inventory levels, customer behavior, and financials, managers can make faster decisions based on data-driven insights. Whether it’s identifying market opportunities or optimizing production processes, ERP software empowers decision-makers with actionable intelligence.

Cost Reduction

Implementing an ERP system can lead to significant cost savings for your business in various ways. By automating manual tasks such as data entry or report generation, you can reduce labor costs associated with repetitive administrative work.

Moreover, having a single integrated system eliminates the need for multiple software applications, reducing licensing and maintenance costs. With improved visibility into inventory levels and demand forecasting, you can optimize your supply chain, minimizing excess inventory or stock-outs.

Additionally, ERP software provides better financial management capabilities, enabling you to streamline processes such as accounts payable or receivable. This can result in faster invoice processing and improved cash flow management.

Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows and evolves, it’s essential to have a system that can adapt to changing needs. ERP software offers scalability and flexibility to accommodate the changing dynamics of your organization. Whether it’s adding new users, integrating with third-party applications, or expanding into new markets, ERP systems are designed to scale with your business.

Furthermore, modern cloud-based ERP solutions provide the flexibility of accessing the system from anywhere with an internet connection. This enables remote work capabilities and supports a mobile workforce.

In conclusion, implementing ERP software in your business offers numerous benefits such as increased efficiency and productivity, enhanced decision-making capabilities, cost reduction, and scalability/flexibility. By streamlining processes and providing real-time insights across departments, ERP software empowers organizations to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business landscape. Consider investing in an ERP system that aligns with your specific business needs for long-term success.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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What Is an Implementation Plan? (Template & Example Included)

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What Is Project Implementation?

Project implementation, or project execution, is the process of completing tasks to deliver a project successfully. These tasks are initially described in the project plan, a comprehensive document that covers all areas of project management. However, a secondary action plan, known as an implementation plan, should be created to help team members and project managers better execute and track the project .

What Is an Implementation Plan?

An implementation plan is a document that describes the necessary steps for the execution of a project. Implementation plans break down the project implementation process by defining the timeline, the teams and the resources that’ll be needed.

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Implementation Plan Template

Use this free Implementation Plan Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

Implementation Plan vs. Project Plan

A project plan is a comprehensive project management document that should describe everything about your project including the project schedule, project budget, scope management plan, risk management plan, stakeholder management plan and other important components. An implementation plan, on the other hand, is a simplified version of your project plan that includes only the information that’s needed by the team members who will actually participate in the project execution phase, such as their roles, responsibilities, daily tasks and deadlines.

Project management software like ProjectManager greatly simplifies the implementation planning process. Schedule and execute your implementation plan with our robust online Gantt charts. Assign work, link dependencies and track progress in real time with one chart. Plus, if your team wants to work with something other than a Gantt chart, our software offers four other project views for managing work: task lists, kanban boards, calendars and sheets. Try it for free today.

ProjectManager's Gantt chart is great for monitoring implementation plans

Key Steps In Project Implementation

Here are some of the key steps that you must oversee as a project manager during the project execution phase . Your project implementation plan should have the necessary components to help you achieve these steps.

1. Communicate Goals and Objectives

Once you’ve outlined the project goals and objectives, the next step is to ensure that the team understands them. For the project to succeed, there must be buy-in from the project team. A meeting is a good way to communicate this, though having project documents that they can refer to is also viable.

2. Define Team Roles and Responsibilities

The project manager will define the roles and responsibilities and communicate them to the project team . They should understand what they’re expected to do and who they can reach out to with questions about their work, all of which leads to a smooth-running project.

3. Establish the Success Criteria for Deliverables

The project deliverables need to meet quality standards, and to do this there must be a success criteria for handing off these deliverables. You want to have something in place to determine if the deliverable is what it’s supposed to be. The measurement is called a success criteria and it applies to any deliverable, whether it’s tangible or intangible.

4. Schedule Work on a Project Timeline

All projects require a schedule , which at its most basic is a start date and an end date for your project. In between those two points, you’ll have phases and tasks, which also have start and finish dates. To manage these deadlines, use a project timeline to visually map everything in one place.

5. Monitor Cost, Time and Performance

To make sure that you’re keeping to your schedule and budget, you need to keep a close eye on the project during the execution phase. Some of the things you should monitor are your costs, time and performance. Costs refer to your budget , time refers to your schedule and performance impacts both as well as quality. By keeping track of these metrics, you can make adjustments to stay on schedule and on budget.

6. Report to Project Stakeholders

While the project manager is monitoring the project, the stakeholders, who have a vested interest in the project, are also going to want to stay informed. To manage their expectations and show them that the project is hitting all its milestones, you’ll want to have project reports , such as project status reports. These can then be presented to the stakeholders regularly to keep them updated.

What Are the Key Components of an Implementation Plan?

There’s no standard one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to creating your implementation plan. However, we’ve created an implementation plan outline for your projects. Here are its components.

  • Project goals & objectives: The project goal is the ultimate goal of your project, while the objectives are the key milestones or achievements that must be completed to reach it.
  • Success criteria: The project manager must reach an agreement with stakeholders to define the project success criteria.
  • Project deliverables: Project deliverables are tangible or intangible outputs from project tasks.
  • Scope statement: The scope statement briefly describes your project scope, which can be simply defined as the project work to be performed.
  • Resource plan: Create a simple resource plan that outlines the human resources, equipment and materials needed for your project.
  • Risk analysis: Use a risk assessment tool like a SWOT analysis or risk register. There are different tools with different levels of detail for your risk analysis.
  • Implementation timeline: Any implementation plan needs a clear project timeline to be executed properly. You should use an advanced tool such as a Gantt chart to create one.
  • Implementation plan milestones: You need to identify key milestones of your implementation plan so that you can easily keep track of its progress.
  • Team roles & responsibilities: The implementation plan won’t execute itself. You’ll need to assign roles and responsibilities to your team members.
  • Implementation plan metrics: You’ll need KPIs, OKRs or any other performance metrics you can use to control the progress of your implementation plan.

Many of the key components listed above are included in our implementation plan template . Use this Excel file to define your strategy, scope, resource plan, timeline and more. It’s the ideal way to begin your implementation process. Download your template today.

Implementation plan template for Excel

How to Write an Implementation Plan

Follow these steps to create an implementation plan for your project or business. You can also consider using project management software like ProjectManager to help you with the implementation process.

1. Review Your Project Plan

Start by identifying what you’ll need for the execution of your implementation plan:

  • What teams need to be involved to achieve the strategic goals?
  • How long will it take to make the strategic goals happen?
  • What resources should be allocated ?

By interviewing stakeholders, key partners, customers and team members, you can determine the most crucial assignments needed and prioritize them accordingly. It’s also at this stage that you should list out all the goals you’re looking to achieve to cross-embed the strategic plan with the implementation plan. Everything must tie back to that strategic plan in order for your implementation plan to work.

2. Map Out Assumptions and Risks

This acts as an extension to the research and discovery phase, but it’s also important to point out assumptions and risks in your implementation plan. This can include anything that might affect the execution of the implementation plan, such as paid time off or holidays you didn’t factor into your timeline , budget constraints, losing personnel, market instability or even tools that require repair before your implementation can commence.

3. Identify Task Owners

Each activity in your implementation plan must include a primary task owner or champion to be the owner of it. For tasks to be properly assigned, this champion will need to do the delegating. This means that they ensure that all systems are working as per usual, keep track of their teams’ productivity and more. Project planning software is practically essential for this aspect.

4. Define Project Tasks

Next, you need to finalize all the little activities to round out your plan. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

  • What are the steps or milestones that make up the plan?
  • What are the activities needed to complete each step?
  • Who needs to be involved in the plan?
  • What are the stakeholder requirements?
  • What resources should be allocated?
  • Are there any milestones we need to list?
  • What are the risks involved based on the assumptions we notated?
  • Are there any dependencies for any of the tasks?

Once all activities are outlined, all resources are listed and all stakeholders have approved (but no actions have been taken just yet), you can consider your implementation plan complete and ready for execution.

Implementation Plan Example

Implementation plans are used by companies across industries on a daily basis. Here’s a simple project implementation plan example we’ve created using ProjectManager to help you better understand how implementation plans work. Let’s imagine a software development team is creating a new app.

  • Project goal: Create a new app
  • Project objectives: All the project deliverables that must be achieved to reach that ultimate goal.
  • Success criteria: The development team needs to communicate with the project stakeholders and agree upon success criteria.
  • Scope statement: Here’s where the development team will document all the work needed to develop the app. That work is broken down into tasks, which are known as user stories in product and software development. Here, the team must also note all the exceptions, which means everything that won’t be done.
  • Resource plan: In this case, the resources are all the professionals involved in the software development process, as well as any equipment needed by the team.
  • Risk analysis: Using a risk register, the product manager can list all the potential risks that might affect the app development process.
  • Timeline, milestones and metrics: Here’s an image of an implementation plan timeline we created using ProjectManager’s Gantt chart view. The diamond symbols represent the implementation plan milestones.
  • Team roles & responsibilities: Similarly, we used a kanban board to assign implementation plan tasks to team members according to their roles and responsibilities.

Benefits of an Implementation Plan for the Project Implementation Process

The implementation plan plays a large role in the success of your overall strategic plan. But more than that, communicating both your strategic plan and the implementation of it therein to your team members helps them feel as if they have a sense of ownership within the company’s long-term direction.

Increased Cooperation

An implementation plan that’s well communicated also helps to increase cooperation across all teams through all the steps of the implementation process. It’s easy to work in a silo—you know exactly what your daily process is and how to execute it. But reaching across the aisle and making sure your team is aligned on the project goals that you’re also trying to meet? That’s another story entirely. With an implementation plan in place, it helps to bridge the divide just a little easier.

Additionally, with an implementation plan that’s thoroughly researched and well-defined, you can ensure buy-in from stakeholders and key partners involved in the project. And no matter which milestone you’re at, you can continue to get that buy-in time and time again with proper documentation.

At the end of the day, the biggest benefit of an implementation plan is that it makes it that much easier for the company to meet its long-term goals. When everyone across all teams knows exactly what you want to accomplish and how to do it, it’s easy to make it happen.

Implementation Plan FAQ

There’s more to know about implementation plans. It’s a big subject and we’ve tried to be thorough as possible, but if you have any further questions, hopefully we’ve answered them below.

What Is the Difference Between an Action Plan and an Implementation Plan?

The main difference between an action plan and an implementation plan is that an action plan focuses exclusively on describing work packages and tasks, while the implementation plan is more holistic and addresses other variables that affect the implementation process such as risks, resources and team roles & responsibilities.

What Is an Implementation Plan in Business?

A business implementation plan is the set of steps that a company follows to execute its strategic plan and achieve all the business goals that are described there.

What Is an Implementation Plan in Project Management?

Implementation plans have many uses in project management. They’re a planning tool that allows project managers to control smaller projects within their project plan. For example, they might need an implementation plan to execute risk mitigation actions, change requests or produce specific deliverables.

How to Make an Implementation Plan With ProjectManager

Creating and managing an implementation plan is a huge responsibility and one that requires diligence, patience and great organizational skills.

When it comes to a project implementation plan, there are many ways to make one that’s best suited for your team. With ProjectManager , you get access to both agile and waterfall planning so you can plan in sprints for large or small projects, track issues and collaborate easily. Try kanban boards for managing backlogs or for making workflows in departments.

A screenshot of the Kanban board project view

Switching up the activities after a milestone meeting with stakeholders? You can easily update your implementation plan with our software features. Add new tasks, set due dates, and track how far along your team is on their current activities.

Implementation plans are the backbone of an organization’s strategic overall plan. With ProjectManager, give your organization the project management software they need to gain insight into all resources needed, view activities on their lists and collaborate with ease. Sign up for our free 30-day trial today.

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What is an implementation plan? 6 steps to create one

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An implementation plan—also known as a strategic plan—outlines the steps your team should take when accomplishing a shared goal or objective. This plan combines strategy, process, and action and will include all parts of the project from scope to budget and beyond. In this guide, we’ll discuss what an implementation plan is and how to create one.

Projects require planning to be successful. Would you build a house without a blueprint? Probably not, because nailing pieces of wood together without a plan could lead to disaster. The same concept is true in the corporate world. An implementation plan functions as the blueprint for any shared objective. Your plan should include everything from the project strategy, to the budget, to the list of people working on the project. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss what an implementation plan is and how to create one. These steps can help you and your team prepare for projects both big and small.

What is the purpose of an implementation plan?

The purpose of an implementation plan is to ensure that your team can answer the who, what, when, how, and why of a project before moving into the execution phase. In simple terms, it's the action plan that turns your strategy into specific tasks.

What is an implementation plan?

A good way to know whether your implementation plan is effective is to hand it to someone outside of your team and see if they can understand the project in its entirety. Your implementation plan should leave no questions unanswered.

How to create an implementation plan in 6 steps

If you want your implementation plan to be comprehensive and beneficial to your project team, you’ll need to follow specific steps and include the right components. Use the following steps when creating your plan to reduce the risk of gaps in your strategy.

How to develop an implementation plan

1. Define goals

The first step in the implementation process is defining your goals . Determine what you hope to accomplish when your project is complete, like whether you hope to win over a new marketing client or revamp your internal content strategy. Starting with your project objectives in mind can help flesh out your project plan. 

Tips to consider:

Ask questions: When defining your goals, you and your team may want to ask questions about your project such as, “What are we trying to achieve with this project? What deliverables do we hope to produce? Who are the stakeholders we plan to share our project deliverables with?”

Brainstorm risk scenarios: Although you’ll perform a more in-depth risk assessment later on in your implementation plan, brainstorming potential risk scenarios early on gives you a more realistic idea of what you’re able to achieve. 

2. Conduct research

Once you have a broad idea of the project goals you want to achieve, you can hone in on these goals by conducting research such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, or observations. Your research should come from key experts in your field. These experts may be team members or external stakeholders. Your research outcomes should include a list of what your project timeline, budget, and personnel may look like.

Collaborate using shared tools: Collaboration is easier when you have the right communication tools in place to do so. Use a team collaboration tool to share your project goals and get feedback from others, regardless of their location. 

3. Map out risks

You brainstormed risk scenarios in step one of your implementation strategy, and in step three, you’ll map out all the potential risks you may face in your project. Risks can include anything from paid time off and holidays to budget constraints and loss of personnel. 

A great way to map out your risks is by using a risk register. This tool will help you prioritize project risks and prepare for them accordingly. You can also conduct a SWOT analysis , which will identify any weaknesses or threats affecting your project. 

Be flexible and proactive: Mapping out risks is more than just a preparation strategy. If you identify preventable risks during this stage of the implementation plan, you can take action to prevent those risks. This may mean adjusting your initial project goals. 

4. Schedule milestones

Scheduling your project milestones is an important step in the planning process because these checkpoints help you track your progress during execution. Milestones serve as metrics—they are a way to measure how far you’ve come in your project and how far you have left to go. 

To visualize project milestones and keep your entire team on track, use a Gantt chart . With a Gantt chart, you can visually lay out your implementation schedule and show how long you think each task will take.

Add wiggle room: Things don’t always go as planned, even if you do everything in your power to a schedule. By adding wiggle room to your schedule, you can ensure your project stays on track instead of keeping tight milestones and failing to meet them.

Clarify dependencies: Dependencies are tasks that rely on the completion of other tasks. Clarifying your dependencies makes it easier to keep the project on track and hit your milestones.

5. Assign responsibilities and tasks

Every action plan must include a list of responsibilities with team members assigned to each one. By assigning responsibilities, you can assess the performance of each team member and monitor progress more closely. Using a RACI chart can be an effective project management tool for clarifying roles and responsibilities. 

Assigning responsibilities is different from assigning individual tasks. One team member may be responsible for overseeing the project review, while you may assign three other team members to handle the delivery and communication of the project to various teams for review. When you assign responsibilities and tasks, be sure to make your expectations clear. 

Communication is key: When you assign roles, responsibilities, or tasks, it’s best to communicate why you’re choosing one team member over another. Instead of letting team members question why they have specific roles, you can use this step in the planning process as an opportunity to highlight team member strengths.

Track responsibilities in a shared tool: Having a shared tool, like project management software, can give team members clarity on who's doing what and by when.

6. Allocate resources

Resource allocation is one of the best ways to reduce risk. If you can plan out what resources you need for your project and ensure those resources will be available, you’ll avoid the risk of running out of resources mid-project. If you notice that you don’t have enough resources in this step of the implementation process, you can adjust your project accordingly before it kicks off. 

Resources may include money, personnel, software, equipment, and other physical or technical materials. Time can also be a resource because the team members you need to complete the project may be working on other projects.

Tips to consider: Ask yourself the following questions when identifying available resources for your project: 

What is the project’s priority level? 

Who is available to work on this project? 

What budget or tools are available? 

What additional resources do we need? 

Who needs to approve the resource allocation plan?

Following these steps as you create your implementation plan will increase the likelihood of hitting your project goals. Having a checklist of the items to include in your implementation plan can also lead to successful implementation. 

What to include in an implementation plan

Knowing how to create your implementation plan is crucial, but you also need to know what to include in your plan. This checklist includes the six most important items you’ll want to consider if you want to move forward with a successful project. 

Implementation plan checklist

1. Objectives

You’ll outline your project objectives in step one of the implementation process. Set your goals and decide what metrics your team will use to measure to monitor progress. By clearly identifying your project objectives, you and your team can measure progress and performance as you move forward.

2. Scope statement

You’ll set the scope of your project in step two when conducting research. Your project scope statement should outline the boundaries you’ve set for your project and broadly define what goals, deadlines, and project outcomes you’ll be working toward. Defining your project scope in the implementation plan can help prevent scope creep when you’re farther along in the project.

3. Outline of deliverables

Deliverables are the tangible goals of your project. Outlining the deliverables you hope to create can serve as a resource when managing time frames, delegating tasks, and allocating resources. 

4. Task due dates

Although the project timeline may change as your project progresses, it’s important to clarify your expected due dates during implementation planning. When you estimate task due dates, you can schedule milestones around these due dates and plan for project completion. You will commonly see Gantt charts used for strategic planning and implementation planning. This is because Gantt charts display information in a follows a linear path, similar to a timeline. 

5. Risk assessment

You’ll conduct your risk assessment in step three of the implementation process. Whether you use a   risk register , SWOT analysis , or contingency plan to identify risks , be sure to include these documents in your plan. That way, others involved in the project can look through your findings and potentially help you prevent these risks. 

6. Team member roles and responsibilities

You assigned roles and responsibilities to team members in step five of your plan, and keeping a detailed record of what these are can hold everyone accountable. Whether you use a RACI chart or another tool to clarify team member roles, there should be a place in your plan for everyone to refer to in case questions arise. 

Your implementation plan will likely be unique to the project you're working on, so it may include other components not listed above. However, you can use the six items above as your guide so you know your plan is comprehensive.

Many aspects of project implementation overlap with strategic planning. As a project manager , working on the project implementation plan while you are also working on the strategic plan can help minimize the total time spent on planning.

Another way to save time during the planning process is to house all of your plans in a work management platform. When your project team is ready to start the implementation process, everything is in one convenient place.

Benefits of having an implementation plan

There are many benefits to implementation planning, with the top benefit being an increased chance of project success. Implementing a project plan creates a roadmap for executing your project so you can prevent issues from occurring. 

Other benefits to having an implementation plan include:

Improved communication between team members and key stakeholders

Better organization and management of resources

Increased accountability for everyone involved in the project

More structured project timeline and daily workflow

Easier collaboration between team members

Going straight into the execution phase without an implementation plan may feel like walking on stage to give a speech without knowing what you’re going to say. Preparation is key for top-notch performance. 

Simplify implementation planning

Knowing the steps for implementation planning is the foundation of project management. A well-planned project leads to a successful project.

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SMART Goals: How To Write Them and Why They Matter

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How To Implement Your Business Plan Objectives

Breaking down your business goals into actionable steps is key for success

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What Is a Business Plan Objective?

Be specific and define clear objectives, break down objectives into tasks.

  • Assign Responsibilities/Allocate Resources

Be Mindful of Risks and Create Contingencies

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A business plan is an important tool to help business owners map their path to success. In addition, business plans may be used when applying for loans or seeking outside investment. But a business plan isn’t worth it if you leave it gathering dust. To make a business plan effective, you have to implement your business plan objectives.

Whether you’re a new business owner or a veteran returning for a refresher, here’s a closer look at common strategies to implement on your business plan objectives.

Key Takeaways

  • A business plan objective is a specific goal for your business.
  • Making achievable and specific tasks is helpful for successful implementations.
  • Track your results and stay prepared to update your business plan if necessary.

A business plan objective is a specific goal you hope to reach with your business. This may be a number of customers, revenue, or profit goal, among others. There are no right or wrong business objectives, in theory, but it’s important to take the time to pick the best goals for your unique business if you’re going through the work to create business plan objectives.

The SMART framework is a popular way to frame goals, and it can be helpful for creating objectives, too. To qualify, an objective must meet these criteria:

  • Specific : A general goal like “add more customers” could leave you floundering. Pick a specific number of customers. Every objective should have a clear finish line.
  • Measurable : Identify objectives you can measure. For example, you can’t necessarily measure something like “customer loyalty,” but you can measure repeat customers, sales and revenue per customer, and other data points related to loyalty.
  • Attainable : You might dream of turning your startup into a $1-million-per-year business. However, that may not be attainable in your first few years. What’s attainable varies widely by the business but in general, you’ll want to find the middle ground between unrealistic and underachieving.
  • Relevant : Perhaps part of your business growth strategy involves social media. While it may be fun to see your accounts grow, that may not necessarily be relevant to your revenue and profits. Keep goals focused on what’s most important to achieve, which may not include vanity numbers that are more about ego than results.
  • Time-bound : Each objective should have a deadline. If you give yourself unlimited time to get something done, you may never get around to it. With a set due date, you’re giving yourself a little pressure and motivation to hit that goal as planned.

SMART goals are just one method of choosing business plan objectives. You can work to create any objectives you’d like that make the most sense for what you’re trying to achieve.

Even if you don’t follow the SMART goals framework, it’s still wise to be specific and clear when choosing your goals and objectives. Vague and loosely defined goals often set business owners up for failure. Specific and clear business objectives give you and your team, if you have one, a common mission to work toward.

Breaking each objective into smaller tasks can prevent teams from getting overwhelmed and even help you get a clearer picture of what you need to do to prevail. Smaller goals also help you see faster and more frequent successes, which is a good way to stay motivated. An added benefit is an opportunity to foresee any needed resources or roadblocks, such as a need for an outside consultant or a government-issued permit.

Assign Responsibilities and Allocate Resources

Entrepreneurs with “superhero syndrome” think they can do everything themselves and often get burned out in pursuing business goals. Rather than do it all yourself, even if you have the capability, it’s often wise to delegate to others . Employees, freelancers, contractors, and business partners are part of the team. When you can count on others and best utilize their time and skills, you take a wise step to reach your objectives.

Create Milestones and Monitor Progress

Just as it’s a good idea to set smaller goals along the way, it’s also wise to create key milestone moments and monitor progress. You may learn along the way that a certain process can be improved. When a process works well, try to capture and double down on that success. When you stumble or discover inefficiencies, you could have an opportunity.

Monitoring progress helps you know what’s working and what isn’t, so you can adjust goals or methods if necessary.

Not all things go according to plan. If you miss the mark, you could join one of the millions of failed business owners. Stay mindful of risks and if it may be time to pull the plug rather than sink in more money.

Also, you may find successes outside of what you expected. Even the biggest companies pivot to a related product or service when their first idea fizzles. Remember that there’s a lot you can’t control in the business world, so not all business failures should be considered personal failures. Instead, look at them as learning opportunities to draw on in the future.

The Bottom Line

A business plan without clear objectives is at risk of being ineffective. Identify what your objectives are, break them down into small steps, delegate responsibilities, and be comfortable with pivoting when needed and dealing with risk. Taking the proper steps to create realistic objectives isn’t a guarantee that you’ll meet your goals, but it provides the framework to set you up for success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What goes in the objectives section of a business plan.

There is no set template you must follow for a business plan. Business plans can range from a one-page summary to a lengthy, detailed document. If a business plan includes an objectives section, it should include clear and specific goals that help define success for the business.

What is the difference between a goal and an objective in a business plan?

The terms “goal'' and “objective” can be used interchangeably in a business plan. Some businesses may consider objectives as smaller tasks that help reach goals. Regardless of the terminology, goals and objectives are both good for your business’s long-term success.

Want to read more content like this? Sign up for The Balance’s newsletter for daily insights, analysis, and financial tips, all delivered straight to your inbox every morning!

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “ Setting Goals and Developing Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound Objectives ,” Pages 1-2.

Chris Drucker. “ Virtual Freedom Companion Workbook ,” Page 3.

Chamber of Commerce. “ 10 Hugely Successful Companies That Reinvented Their Business .”

Small Business Administration. “ Write Your Business Plan .”

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Implementation Plan: What is it & How to Create it? (Steps & Process)

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Organizations are successful because of good implementation, not good business plans ~Guy Kawasaki

Planning is necessary to map out what you need to do in order to achieve your goals. However, without the execution of those plans, you won’t get anywhere. The implementation of an idea is how you start your journey towards achieving your goals and eventually reach your destination.

For businesses, an implementation plan plays a crucial role in the development and execution of an idea, project, or methodology. In fact, the  Harvard Business Review reported  that companies with an implementation and execution plan saw 70 percent greater returns than those who don’t have one. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Let’s first quickly understand what is an implementation plan, how do you make one, and how to execute it successfully? Read on…

What is an Implementation Plan? (Definition)

The implementation plan facilitates the execution of a plan, idea, model, design, specification, standard, algorithm, or policy by presenting clear implementation steps that need to follow. Thus, an implementation plan is the documented steps you need to take to successfully achieve your implementation pursuits.

Implementation plans are usually made to support the strategic plan created by an organization. Now, what is a strategic plan you ask? Well, a strategic plan is a document defining the strategy by which your team will accomplish certain goals or make decisions. Strategic plans are made to guide a business decision, a new business venture, or an upcoming project or initiative.

An employee implementing actions required for project work

Therefore, the goal of the implementation plan is to effectively implement company strategy and lay down the step-by-step process of bringing the project to success.

What are the Benefits of an Implementation Plan?

An implementation plan puts organizational resources to use and develops a tactical plan to execute the strategic initiative. It thus plays a huge role in the success of your overall strategic plan. Even if you have the greatest, iron-clad plan or strategy, it’s totally pointless if you don’t put the plan into action. Here are some of the many benefits of an implementation plan:

1. Provides Clarity

Writing an implementation plan gives you better clarity of thought and improves your own understanding of the project. When you are forced to think things through, you are better able to document as well as communicate the plan to team members, upper management, and get everyone on board.

2. Keeps Everyone on Track

Your implementation plan lays down exactly what tasks need to be done, how to do them, who needs to do them, keeping everyone on board, and removing any sort of confusion or doubts. When everyone knows what their roles and responsibilities are, it’s easier to stay on track and keep everyone accountable.

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3. Improved Cooperation

Working on projects requires the cooperation and collaboration of many employees. The better the cooperation amongst team members, the better the synergy and the overall execution.

Employees co-operating with each other

Read more:  How to Create a Strategic Process Improvement Plan?

4. Increased Buy-In

When you have a solid implementation plan that is well researched, documented, and presented, you ensure buy-in from all key stakeholders of your organization. When upper management is on board, it’s easier to get resources allocated to your project and ensure smooth project execution.

6 Key Components of an Implementation Plan

Every implementation plan comprises of some key components that need to be analyzed and thought-through before communicating the plan with your team:

1. Outline Goals/Objectives:  Start with defining the goals and objectives of the implementation plan. What do you want to accomplish? What is the project scope ? Why are these goals important? How do these goals fit into the overall organizational vision and mission?

2. Assign Responsibilities:  Assigning roles and responsibilities provides a clear picture of what needs to be done and by whom. The clearer you define these responsibilities, the easier it will be to keep people accountable.

3. Implementation Schedule:  Schedules help track, communicate, and keep an eye on progress for your project, keeping all stakeholders in the loop with what’s going on.

4. Resource Allocation:  One of the main purposes of an implementation plan is to make sure that your team has access to enough resources in order to execute the plan effectively and without any hiccups. Make sure you know exactly what you need, how much you already have, and how you will procure what’s needed.

5. Define Metrics:  How will you determine project success? Every implementation plan must identify KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to establish how it will measure success and failure. This also allows you to measure progress and celebrate milestones to keep the team excited.

6. Contingency Plan :  Planning for challenges is as important as planning for success. Make a plan for how your team will navigate rough waters in case you go over budget, don’t have enough resources, or are approaching deadlines. This way you won’t get off-track when challenges arise, and you will be able to steer clear of them easily.

Now that you know the key components of an implementation plan, it’s time to put this knowledge to use and learn how to write an implementation plan for yourself…

Read more:  How to Create an Effective Operational Plan for Your Business?

How to Write an Implementation Plan? Follow these Steps and Processes:

Okay Folks, it’s time to get into the ‘how’ of the implementation plan and create a solid document. When creating such a document, you need to be more detailed and thorough, explaining everything clearly to all team members who will be viewing this document.

Steps for creating implementation plan

Make sure you include the following steps in your implementation plan:

Step 1. Introduction

Kickoff your implementation plan with a brief introduction, outlining the vision, mission, and purpose of your project or initiative. You can additionally include how this project ties up with the overall organizational mission and lay down all the assumptions or limitations of your project.

Step 2.  Team Members Involved

In this segment, you can describe the team involved in the implementation of the project. Include the names, roles, and responsibilities of key project stakeholders, and key points of contact.

Step 3.  Tasks

This is an important area in your implementation plan as here you need to describe the key tasks and steps involved in the implementation of the strategy. If you have already begun with a task, note down the status and progress of the task in this section.

Step 4.  Implementation Schedule

An implementation schedule outlines project timeframes and milestones. Schedules keep everyone on track with task progress and help to keep everything on time and under budget.

Step 5.  Resource Management

Describe the resources needed (people, time, money, equipment, software, departmental help, etc.) to support successful implementation. Think through this section thoroughly to ensure smooth project implementation, and support fair asset allocation.

Step 6.  Additional Documentation

In this segment, you can attach any other documentation that supports your implementation plan. This could include proof of successful past project executions or a PDF of your strategic plan.

Step 7.  Define Metrics

Without specifying success metrics, you will never know if you are on the right track or are even executing the right strategy. Define the metrics you will use to measure success and how and when will you review your progress.

Step 8.  Project Approval

If you need upper management’s approval before kicking off implementation, add some space for a formal signoff.

Read more:   Change Management Plan: What, Why, and How to Write?

Use a Documentation Tool like Bit to Create a Robust Implementation Plan

The key to successful planning and implementation is…*drumroll*… DOCUMENTATION. This is exactly why all smart project managers use documentation tools like Bit.ai to create a solid, interactive, and visually appealing implementation plan for their team.

What the heck is Bit.ai? Well, it’s an all-in-one document collaboration platform designed for the modern-day workplace. Using Bit, your team can collaborate in real-time and create implementation plans and all other documents – under one single roof!

Bit.ai: Document collaboration tool

1. Pre-Built, Beautiful & Fully Responsive Templates: Okay, you’ve created the implementation plan for your team to understand their goals and responsibilities. But, what if the plan itself looks dull and poorly formatted? Your team members won’t understand a thing, and that’s for sure.

You might not have the time to pay attention to the presentation aspect but don’t worry, because Bit does the formatting and designing for you! Bit.ai has over 90 fully responsive and gorgeous templates . Just pick one, insert your content and let Bit handle the rest.

Few documents templates you might be interested in:

  • SWOT Analysis Template
  • Business Proposal Template
  • Business Plan Template
  • Competitor Research Template
  • Project Proposal Template
  • Company Fact Sheet
  • Executive Summary Template
  • Operational Plan Template
  • Pitch Deck Template

2. Rich Embeds:  What if you could embed all your important files – in one single document? We’re talking about those charts, excel sheets, presentations, and the other files that you created while brainstorming the strategies.

Won’t that make your implementation plan so much more comprehensive? And your team won’t have to jump through different files to get information! Luckily, Bit lets you embed over 100 rich media integrations ! That means you can create media-rich and interactive, modern workplace documents!

3. Real-time collaboration : If your team members work on the implementation plan together and take inputs and ideas from one other, it is bound to be perfect! Luckily, Bit.ai helps you with that.

It allows you and your team to collaborate on a Bit document in real-time using @mentions, highlight features, and comments. Every document comes with a separate comment stream!

4. Organized Workspaces & Folders:  An implementation plan isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” thing. You’ve to customize it for every project that your company undertakes. This is exactly why you need to use Bit! On Bit, you can create infinite workspaces around projects, teams, departments, and clients to keep all your work organized.

There’s nothing like Bit.ai out there when it comes to creating documents like implementation plans! With a FREE account for up to five members, there’s no reason why you should not give this super cool platform a try!

Watch the video below to learn more or sign up for a FREE account and start exploring yourself!

What are You Waiting For?!

Without implementation plans, your strategic initiatives will never see the light of the day. Good implementation planning lays the foundation for successful project execution.

It creates a blueprint which your team can follow to successfully execute projects and measure their progress along the way. With tools like Bit, creating such documentation is easier than ever. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a free account and start creating your implementation plan today!

Further reads:

How to Create a Procurement Management Plan: Step by Step Guide

Business Development Plan: What Is It And How To Create A Perfect One?

Risk Management Plan: What, Why, and How to Write?

Cost Management Plan: What, Why, and How?

How to Create a Product Plan the Right Way?

How to Create a Project Management Communication Plan?

What is a Marketing Plan and How to Create One for Your Business?

what is business plan implementation

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About Bit.ai

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Detailed Implementation Plan for Business Strategy

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Category: OKR University .

A strategy implementation plan is crucial for businesses to effectively execute their strategy by breaking it down into specific tasks, assigning responsibilities, establishing timelines, and tracking progress. A strategy implementation plan is a detailed roadmap that clearly defines the steps and activities required to execute the strategy effectively.

Content Index

  • What is a strategy implementation plan?
  • The difference between a strategic plan and a strategy implementation plan
  • Why is a strategy implementation plan important?
  • Components of a strategy implementation plan
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Key Highlights

  • The success of a business depends on how good its strategy is, but a great strategy is still just a concept or blueprint that merely reflects the intent of the business.
  • A strategy implementation plan is a detailed roadmap that clearly defines the steps and activities required to execute the strategy effectively.
  • While a strategic plan focuses on defining the strategy, a strategy implementation plan focuses on executing it.
  • A strategy implementation plan is crucial for turning a strategic plan into reality as it outlines all the steps and actions required to implement a strategy.
  • A well-designed strategy implementation plan helps businesses ensure the effective allocation of resources, alignment, and cooperation of all the stakeholders in working towards the same goals and progress in the right direction.
  • Following are some of the key components in a strategy implementation plan necessary for successfully executing a strategy: Action Items, Timelines, Resource Allocation, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Communication Plan, Risk Management Plan, and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Strategy and Implementation Plan

The success of a business depends on how good its strategy is. A solid business strategy helps the business organization achieve its objectives, remain competitive, and stay ahead of the competition. It takes into account various aspects of the business, such as its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and enables businesses to create a well-defined plan to cater to the customers with suitable offerings and weather the challenges in the market. It enables businesses to set clear goals, identify the steps needed to achieve them, and determine the resources required for success.

However, a great strategy is still just a concept or blueprint that merely reflects the intent of the business. Unless you manage to implement it effectively, a strategy cannot achieve the desired outcomes. Strategy implementation provides a clear direction for achieving the strategic objectives and ensures success. A perfect strategy implementation requires a focused and coordinated effort across all levels of the organization. It involves putting the right people, processes, and resources in place to execute the strategy effectively. It calls for a detailed strategy implementation plan.

What is a Strategy Implementation Plan?

A strategy implementation plan is a detailed roadmap that clearly defines the steps and activities required to execute the strategy effectively. It provides businesses with a framework for setting priorities, managing resources, and tracking progress toward achieving the desired strategic objectives. A well-crafted implementation plan enables businesses to execute the strategy in the most efficient and effective manner possible, increasing their chances of success.

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan. There is no other route to success. Pablo Picasso

What is the Difference Between a Strategic Plan and a Strategy Implementation Plan?

A strategy implementation plan is a totally different document compared to a strategic plan. They both serve different purposes.

A strategic plan is devised by the top management. It is a high-level document that focuses on the bigger picture and the ambitions of an organization. It outlines the vision, mission, and long-term goals of the organization. It elaborates on the direction the organization wants to take and the long-term objectives it expects to achieve over a certain period, usually three to five years. A strategic plan details the overall strategy and lays out a roadmap for how the organization will achieve its goals.

In contrast, an implementation plan is a highly detailed, actionable, tactical document that lists and details the specific actions and steps businesses should take to implement a strategy. It breaks down the business strategy into specific tasks and smaller objectives. It assigns responsibilities to relevant team members, establishes timelines and milestones for each task, event, and activity, and provides a framework for tracking progress and evaluating success.

While a strategic plan focuses on defining the strategy, a strategy implementation plan focuses on executing it. A strategy implementation plan is critical for translating the strategy into action and making progress toward achieving the strategic goals.

Why is a Strategy Implementation Plan Important?

A strategy implementation plan is crucial for turning a strategic plan into reality as it outlines all the steps and actions required to implement a strategy. It helps organizations to effectively execute their strategy by breaking it down into specific tasks, assigning responsibilities to the right people, establishing timelines for each task and milestone, and providing a framework for tracking progress and evaluating success.

Without a strategy implementation plan, a strategic plan may remain nothing more than just an idea, with no clear path to execution. A well-designed strategy implementation plan helps businesses ensure the effective allocation of resources, alignment, and cooperation of all the stakeholders in working towards the same goals and progress in the right direction.

A strategy implementation plan also helps businesses identify potential obstacles and challenges, allowing businesses to proactively put mitigation strategies and counteracting mechanisms in place to address them before they grow into bigger issues. It also helps to establish accountability by assigning responsibilities to the team members for specific tasks, outcomes, and deliverables.

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Seven ways an effective strategy implementation plan can help execution.

  • Helps to convert a strategic plan at a conceptual level into actionable steps, activities, and tasks.
  • Assigns responsibility for every task to concerned personnel, creates a reporting structure, and ensures accountability.
  • Establishes timelines and milestones and makes tasks and steps time-bound and trackable.
  • Provides a framework for measuring progress towards the objectives and evaluating success.
  • Ensures judicious allocation of adequate resources for all the tasks and steps.
  • Identifies potential obstacles or challenges and proactively addresses them.
  • Helps organizations achieve their strategic objectives and realize their vision.

strategy

Seven Components of a strategy implementation plan

Following are some of the key components in a strategy implementation plan necessary for successfully executing a strategy.

1. Action items

Action items are a list of specific tasks that the company needs to complete to implement the strategy. Each action item is clearly defined, with instructions, expected outcomes, deadlines, and resources needed. Every action item should be assigned to a specific individual or team with clear expectations and accountability. Following are some examples of action items.

  • Develop a landing page to generate leads.
  • Hire a social media manager and a content director to execute the marketing strategy.
  • Train the staff on leveraging AI to gain more comprehensive insights from the collected data.
  • Secure funding for the marketing initiatives to promote the newly launched product line.
  • Create a new e-commerce store to support the strategy.

2. Timelines

Every task, action, or step requires a timeline to determine when it needs to be completed and by whom. The timeline should also be segmented into smaller time frames, and the expected progress at those specific points during strategy implementation should be listed as key milestones and deadlines. It is important to ensure that the timeline is realistic and achievable. While creating the timeline, you should also take into account any potential delays or unexpected roadblocks that may arise during the strategy execution.

  • Lead generation

Responsibility: Marketing Manager

Action item: Achieve 4000 new leads by the end of Q2

Steps and Timeline:

  • 1000 leads by the 30 April 2023
  • 2500 new leads by 31 May 2023
  • 4000 new leads by 30 June 2023
  • Hire new employees

Responsibility: HR Manager

Action item: Hire a social media manager and a content director in Q2

  • Write job descriptions with detailed roles and responsibilities – 20 Apr 2023
  • Add them to the list of openings on the ‘Career’ page on the corporate website – 27 Apr 2023
  • Communicate the requirements and invite applications through digital ads and Manpower site listings – 30 Apr 2023
  • Shortlist suitable candidates and schedule interviews – 15 May 2023
  • Assess the findings and select the right employees – 25 May 2023
  • Communicate with them and confirm their availability and willingness to join – 26 May 2023
  • Send offer letters to them – 31 May 2023
  • Onboard the new employees with an induction – 30 June 2023

3. Resource allocation

The strategy implementation plan should mention the resources needed to implement the strategy, including human resources, financial resources, equipment, infrastructure, and technology. The strategy implementation plan must ensure the allocation and availability of necessary resources for all the tasks at the appropriate times throughout the implementation process.

  • Q2 Marketing campaign – $100,000
  • Recruitment and onboarding of new employees – $50,000 for new employees
  • Technology training and upskilling employees – $25000
  • E-commerce Website and landing page development – $100,000

Personnel: Marketing team, Accounts team, HR team, IT team, and third-party consultants

Equipment: New computers and software for staff, marketing materials, new multi-channel campaign management software, and website hosting

4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Strategy implementation requires careful monitoring and tracking of the progress toward the objectives. For that, you should identify the relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and key metrics to measure the success of the strategy implementation. These KPIs should be specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall objectives of the strategy. The plan should have target numbers to verify that the action items lead to desired outcomes.

  • Increase sales by 15%.
  • Achieve an increase in website traffic by 20%.
  • Increase customer satisfaction by 10%.
  • Boost social media engagement by 25%.

5. Communication plan

Strategy execution requires communication with various stakeholders at various points in time. So you need a communication plan to govern all the communication involved in strategy execution. It should inform all stakeholders about the strategy execution, including the goals, timelines, and progress updates. It should also describe the appropriate channels and frequency of communication throughout the implementation to continuously engage with the stakeholders.

  • Monthly progress updates to all employees
  • Quarterly progress reports to the executive team and board of directors
  • Fortnightly newsletters to customers
  • Social media updates thrice a week

6. Risk management plan

When a company is planning a strategic implementation, it must consider the risks involved in it and the challenges and problems that may arise during the implementation. So there is a need for a robust risk management plan to identify potential risks, assess their likelihood and impact, and develop strategies for mitigating them. It should also include a contingency plan as a backup in case of unexpected events. Planning should also include mechanisms to regularly monitor and address the risks throughout the implementation process.

Potential risk: Failure of the marketing campaign

Mitigation strategy: Conduct thorough market research and set up focus groups to test the campaign before launch.

Potential risk: Lack of adoption of a new technology

Mitigation strategy: Set goals for the company-wide adoption of the new technology using the OKR framework and set a deadline. Communicate it with the employees, update adoption data regularly on the OKR software, collect regular feedback through and provide training and support for staff to ensure successful adoption.

Potential risk: Lack of financial resources

Mitigation strategy: Develop a contingency plan to secure additional funding if necessary.

7. Monitoring and evaluation

It is imperative to monitor and evaluate strategy execution regularly to verify progress, identify problems, make adjustments, and ensure that the strategy execution is on track. The monitoring and evaluation process should be ongoing throughout the period of strategy implementation. So the strategy implementation plan should include a process for collecting and analyzing data. It should also mention the means to report progress to stakeholders.

  • Regular review of sales data to track progress toward KPIs
  • Comparing the number of leads generated with the sales conversion figures to identify the ratio of quality leads
  • Analysis of website traffic, number of leads generated, and social media engagement
  • Monthly surveys to measure customer satisfaction
  • Quarterly review of the budget to ensure proper allocation and utilization of resources

Strategy Implementation Plan: Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is a strategy implementation plan.

A strategy implementation plan is a detailed roadmap that clearly defines the steps and activities required to execute the strategy effectively. It provides businesses a framework for setting priorities, managing resources, and tracking progress toward achieving the desired strategic objectives. A well-crafted implementation plan enables businesses to execute the strategy in the most efficient and effective manner possible, increasing their chances of success.

2. What are the 5 steps of strategy implementation?

The five steps of strategic implementation include

  • Strategic Planning
  • Communicating the strategy
  • Aligning the organization
  • Strategy implementation
  • Monitoring and adapting

3. How do you write a strategy implementation plan?

  • Define specific goals and objectives.
  • Identify the tactics and initiatives needed to achieve those goals.
  • Ensure alignment with the strategic objectives.
  • Develop a timeline and budget for each initiative.
  • Assign responsibilities and establish performance metrics.
  • Assess risks and create a risk management plan.
  • Create a communication plan to communicate with stakeholders.
  • Continuously monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed.

Strategy implementation plan: Key takeaways

  • A great strategy is just a concept without a solid implementation plan.
  • A strategy implementation plan helps businesses turn their strategy into reality by breaking it down into specific tasks, assigning responsibilities, establishing timelines, and tracking progress.
  • A strategy implementation plan differs from a strategic plan, which focuses on defining the strategy and long-term goals.
  • Key components of a strategy implementation plan include action items, timelines, resource allocation, KPIs, communication plan, risk management plan, and monitoring and evaluation.

In recent years, the latest trends in strategy implementation have focused on agility, innovation, and digital transformation. Companies invest in technology to optimize processes, create cross-functional teams for collaborative decision-making, and prioritize customer-centricity.

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Tips for use

You can make the Implementation Plan by yourself, but it is more effective if you do this with a group, such as colleagues who will be impacted by the change. 

Print the template of the Implementation Plan to use in a brainstorm. Use sticky notes to put something in the Implementation Plan. This way you can easily add or move actions if necessary.

For inspiration, have a look at the example of Fleurs Flowers and learn from this application of the Implementation Plan.

Your long-term vision for your company contains many possible innovations. An Implementation Plan is made for one of these innovations at a time. The Implementation Plan helps you to define the concrete actions that are necessary to implement the change, put them on a timeline and have a clear idea who’s accountable. Follow the steps to create an Implementation Plan.

Step 1: Describe the innovation

What is your idea and how will it work in your company? Describe what the innovation consists of, the reason for the innovation, and what you want to achieve for your company.

Step 2: Describe the actions that have to be taken 

To make the changes a reality, you have to take action. Often a change has an impact in several different business units. Determine the business units that are influenced by the change and define the actions that should be taken to make the change. Make sure to mention specific actions, for example: "Organise sales training", "Customise product catalogue" or "Create a Facebook page".

Describe for each business unit which actions should be taken:

  • People: Do you need to hire new employees? Is there a knowledge gap that needs filling? Are you going to outsource activities or acquire new skills?
  • Processes: does your innovation require a new way of organising processes? Is a new work method needed? Do you have to set up a new department? Is a different management style necessary?
  • Technology: Is the technology you’re currently using good enough for your new business? Or do you have to invest in new technology? Do you need new IT systems?
  • Knowledge & materials: can you repurpose existing knowledge and materials? Are you going to acquire new knowledge, for which you need to secure intellectual property? Do you have to buy new materials?
  • Partners: do you need new partners? Are you able to distribute your new product or services with your existing partners?
  • Marketing & sales: Is market research and promotion necessary? Do the current marketing tools need to be adjusted to the change? Do you want to use other channels or technology for marketing and sales?

Step 3: Determine the critical moments

Some actions will have a big impact on your company. Mark these actions as critical. They probably also require more preparation. Examples of critical moments are actions that:

  • can’t be reversed, for example closing a department or dismissing an employee;
  • or entail high risk, such as developing new technology that requires a big investment.

Step 4: schedule the actions

Put the actions on a timeline. Note that some actions are dependent on other actions. Ensure that these can be recognised, for example by giving them the same colour. Steps that have no dependencies can be done parallel to others. Ensure that each action has is someone’s responsibility and has a clear deadline. 

Note: change is a process. Have regular evaluations of your timeline to accommodate for the changes in your company (people leaving, newly acquired knowledge). Are all actions still in the right order, or do you need to revise the planning?

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