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A Manager’s Guide to Successful Strategy Implementation

Team members discussing business strategy implementation

  • 16 Jan 2024

To address business challenges and concerns, organizations must constantly monitor, evaluate, and adjust their strategic initiatives . When it’s time to implement a new strategy, it’s typically up to managers to do so.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is Strategy Implementation?

According to the online course Strategy Execution , strategy implementation is the process of turning plans into action to reach business goals and objectives . In other words, it’s the art of getting stuff done.

Your organization’s success rests on your ability to implement decisions and execute processes efficiently, effectively, and consistently. Yet, that’s often easier said than done.

“If you've looked at the news lately, you've probably seen stories of businesses with great strategies that have failed,” says Harvard Business School Professor Robert Simons, who teaches Strategy Execution . “In each, we find a business strategy that was well formulated but poorly executed.”

You can learn a lot from failed strategies , and understanding how to implement a successful one is vital to leading change. Here are steps you can take to effectively roll out your business strategy .

4 Steps in the Strategy Implementation Process

1. handle tension.

Making tough choices isn’t easy, and you need to manage any tension that arises with change.

In strategy implementation, tension often exists between innovating to grow your business and controlling internal processes and procedures.

For example, leaders at ride-hailing company Uber have faced challenges in balancing growth and control. While Uber has transformed the transportation industry, its need to expand has led to several instances of misconduct due to insufficient internal controls .

You can manage tension and find balance by designing and implementing levers of control , which comprise:

  • Belief systems : Organizational definitions you communicate and reinforce to provide direction to employees
  • Boundary systems : Negatively phrased statements that tell employees what behaviors are forbidden
  • Diagnostic control systems : Formal information systems that help monitor organizational outcomes
  • Interactive control systems : Formal systems managers use to involve themselves in subordinates' decisions that impact strategic uncertainties

These levers help create opposing forces throughout strategy implementation that continuously balance each other. While half of them (belief systems and interactive control systems) promote innovation and inspiration, the others (boundary systems and diagnostic control systems) establish boundaries and threats of punishment when employees cross the line.

To ensure your strategy execution succeeds , use the power of tension when designing management control systems.

2. Align Job Design to Strategy

No matter how well-formulated your business strategy is, it can’t succeed without your team. To prime employees for success, it’s essential to design jobs with strategy in mind.

Job design is structuring jobs’ components to enhance organizational efficiency. Its common elements include task allocation, job development, and feedback and communication.

“Job design is a critical part of strategy execution,” Simons says in Strategy Execution . “If individuals don't have the resources they need and aren’t accountable in the right way, they won’t be able to work to their potential.”

According to Simons, you can use the Job Design Optimization Tool (JDOT) to design or test jobs by analyzing their balance of demands and resources.

The tool prompts you to consider:

  • What resources do employees have to get the job done?
  • What measure will we use to evaluate their performance?
  • Who must they influence to achieve their goals?
  • How much support can they expect when reaching out for help?

By answering these questions and ensuring they align with your strategy, employees can directly support your initiatives.

Strategy Execution | Successfully implement strategy within your organization | Learn More

3. Inspire Employee Buy-In

Even if you position employees for success through effective job design, you must still gain their buy-in for strategic goals . According to a Gallup survey , organizations with strong employee engagement experience 10 percent greater customer loyalty and 23 percent higher profitability.

You can garner their support by communicating your organization’s core values —its purpose that impacts what employees should do and how they should act.

According to Strategy Execution , effective core values possess two attributes:

  • Inspiration: They make employees proud of where they work.
  • Guidance: They ensure employees know whose interests to prioritize when making difficult decisions.

Communicating your organization’s core values doesn’t just help bolster support for strategic initiatives; it also provides employees with a purpose to improve performance and workplace accountability .

Another useful tool is ranking systems.

“Ranking systems—which are quite common in practice—have really good features that managers can use to stimulate performance,” says HBS Professor Susan Gallani in Strategy Execution .

Ranking systems provide clear measures—like leadership capabilities—for employees to determine their ownership in your business strategy. Gallani says establishing such measures helps eliminate unknowns that create anxiety.

“What the ranking system does—it takes that shock away,” Gallani says in Strategy Execution . “Everybody's compared at the same level, and that's good because it really highlights the individual contribution of different workers and points out who did better and who did worse.”

By implementing ranking systems, achievement-driven employees can be more likely to invest in your business strategy.

Related: How to Get Employee Buy-In to Execute Your Strategic Initiatives

4. Manage Risk

Even if you take these steps when implementing your business strategy, your initiatives can still fail.

“Competing successfully in any industry involves some level of risk,” Simons says in Strategy Execution . “But high-performing businesses with high-pressure cultures are especially vulnerable. As a manager, you need to know how and why these risks arise and how to avoid them.”

Engaging in risk management —the systematic process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats or uncertainties that can affect your organization—is crucial to long-term success.

Three types of pressures that make you vulnerable to risk are:

  • Information management

Business risks aren’t always obvious, making it critical to identify unexpected events or conditions that could impede your organization’s business strategy .

“I think one of the challenges firms face is the ability to properly identify their risks,” says HBS Professor Eugene Soltes in Strategy Execution .

For example, the automotive industry heavily relies on semiconductors. However, due to an unexpected disruption in manufacturing priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, companies had to navigate production during a semiconductor shortage .

By understanding your strategy’s vulnerabilities, you can prevent failures because of unanticipated events and protect your organization from challenges like increased market competition, evolving technologies, and shifting customer needs .

How to Formulate a Successful Business Strategy | Access Your Free E-Book | Download Now

Learn How to Oversee Strategy Implementation

Implementing strategy successfully is challenging.

By taking an online strategy course , such as Strategy Execution , you can draw insights from real-world business examples and build the strategy execution skills and knowledge to achieve your organization’s objectives.

Do you want to improve your strategy implementation? Explore Strategy Execution —one of our online strategy courses —and download our free strategy e-book to take the first step toward doing so.

This post was updated and republished on January 16, 2024. It was originally published on February 25, 2020.

business process implementation 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?

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What is Product Adoption & How to do it Right?

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The Ultimate Guide to Implementation Plans

May 4, 2022 - 10 min read

Maria Waida

Implementation plans provide step-by-step instructions for everything from digital marketing campaigns to ending hunger in rural communities . They’re used to transform abstract concepts within strategy plans into real-world action. The only downside is that implementation plans can be challenging to pull off. Some industries see as much as a 75% failure rate in plan execution. 

The good news is you can succeed where others have failed by creating a successful implementation plan with the tips and strategies outlined in this guide. 

Keep reading to discover must-have components for implementation plans, a thorough step-by-step planning method, and advice on how to avoid common pitfalls. 

What is an implementation plan?

A project implementation plan (also called a strategic plan) is a combination of strategy, process, and action. It outlines the steps a team will use to achieve a shared objective. An implementation plan covers all aspects of a project , including the budget, timeline, and personnel.

The perfect project plan includes: 

  • Objectives, requirements
  • Scope assessment
  • An outline of deliverables
  • Task due dates
  • Risk assessment
  • Stakeholder, team, and process management plans
  • Team member roles and responsibilities
  • Resource management
  • Communication tools

Roadmap planning breaks down big-picture goals into measurable project phases, tasks, and subtasks. Each category is clearly defined with its own deadlines and resource allocations. Tasks and subtasks are assigned to team members who will complete and approve each one. 

In other words, if the goal is the "what," the implementation plan is the "how."  

An implementation plan is often presented as a written document or planned in a project management solution . The latter is a better fit for this particular roadmap because, as you can probably tell, implementation plans are complex and comprehensive. Implementation plans should all contain solutions for:

  • Tasks and subtasks
  • Timelines 
  • Collaborators
  • Any additional resources

It’s also important to note that having a flexible implementation plan is key for dealing with changes that come up once the project is live. 

What are the benefits of implementation planning?

The benefits of implementation planning range from organizational to relationship-building to increased profitability. A solid implementation plan: 

  • Creates an actionable roadmap from project inception to completion
  • Makes communication simple and crystal clear
  • Improves employee retention in the long-term
  • Organizes all resources in one manageable place
  • Helps businesses be proactive instead of reactive
  • Offers transparency to clients and collaborators
  • Builds trust among stakeholders
  • Holds everyone accountable
  • Outlines a daily and weekly workflow the whole team can follow
  • Improves the likelihood of buy-in
  • Makes collaboration more fluid and synergistic
  • Helps businesses commit to long-term goals
  • Gets everyone’s thoughts out of their heads and into one accessible place

When do you begin implementation planning?

Because it’s so involved, it’s important that you don’t begin implementation planning too early or too late. 

Why? The process of creating an implementation plan is time-consuming. Most of the tasks involved require you to wait on communication or approvals from multiple stakeholders. The process also requires lots of research, goal-setting, gathering or defining resources, and getting team availability together. 

Avoid planning too early by waiting until the project is officially greenlit. The definition of greenlit means something different to every agency. However, most would agree that a signed contract and successful deposit payment are good markers. 

After those client onboarding tasks are complete, you can begin implementation planning. Remember, the project can’t begin without these plans, so have a system in place to kick off and support implementation planning ahead of time. 

The Ultimate Guide To Implementation Plans 2

What is an implementation timeline? 

An implementation timeline is a visual representation of all project-related due dates. That includes:

  • The final project due date
  • Dates your team needs to complete each phase by 
  • Due dates for individual tasks and subtasks 

These dates aren’t set in stone yet. However, accurately forecasting effort and mini-milestones now will make the implementation phase that much easier. 

Implementation timelines are often represented by visual Gantt charts . A Gantt chart uses bars to track the progress of each phase, task, and subtask all at once. Wrike users can add task dependencies, which trigger automatic chart updates and notifications to team members in charge of the next steps. 

Gantt charts also help project managers identify possible roadblocks. With every single step laid out, it’s easy to see where resources are stretched too thin and whether or not milestones are realistic. 

How do you make an implementation plan?

Follow these steps to create a successful implementation plan: 

  • Choose an implementation planning tool Project management solutions like Wrike can help teams share information, start and complete approvals, and set up timelines with ease. 
  • Holidays or upcoming PTO
  • Delivery time for goods and materials
  • Additional training or onboarding of outside team members
  • Review the strategic plan Ask yourself, where do the implementation plan and strategic plan align so far? Where does it conflict? When in doubt, always edit your implementation plan to support your strategic plan. 
  • What the project is
  • Why it’s important
  • Who is involved 
  • What is each person’s role in the project 
  • What all parties hope to achieve
  • The obstacles you foresee and how your team will overcome them
  • Which ROIs you’ll use to measure success
  • Is available for the project as a whole 
  • Should be allocated to each key phase
  • Will be monitored, and who will oversee it
  • Will be broken down into trackable categories
  • Collect related materials Gather the documents you need to plan and execute the project all in one place. Include data from past projects that may help you accurately forecast this one. 
  • Define how progress will be measured and monitored Choose KPIs that align with your project goals, then chart progress within your project management solution. Come up with a plan for who is in charge and how often they’ll check in. 
  • Outline management buy-in criteria Get crystal clear on what managers are looking for, what information they need to approve or reject, and any other information that will decrease resistance. 
  • Do a stakeholder analysis Create a chart that defines each stakeholder’s level of impact, influence, and attitude. Explain the evaluations further and create an action plan for each person or group. 
  • Clarify day-to-day operations Include a work plan that goes over which processes will be used, which will be changed, and how future changes will be dealt with down the road. Choose who is responsible for approving, managing, and finalizing adjustments as they come up. 
  • Everyone’s preferred mode of communication
  • What type of updates are expected when 
  • And how information will be shared  Also, designate communication channels and leaders who will oversee them.  Don’t forget to loop in both your implementation leader and strategy director. Stakeholders do not need to sign off on this section. However, you may choose to share it with them so they can see how you plan to keep everyone on track. 
  • Identify key project phases, tasks, and subtasks Break the project goal down into actionable steps. Give each phase a name, deadline, and set of related tasks. Use project status updates in Wrike to communicate task and subtask due date expectations with everyone involved. Updates are formatted as dropdown menu options which make it easy for individuals to quickly update the entire team when they’ve moved on to the next step.  After, assign team members to complete and approve each task. Set up task dependencies within Wrike, so status notifications are automatically sent to those who were waiting to move on to the next step. 
  • Go over security needs If your project deals with sensitive data, outline what you’ll need to keep the entire project and team compliant throughout. List all digital and physical information sources that require privacy (think sensitive company financial data, home addresses, credit or bank account information, etc.). 
  • Provide a glossary Include industry terms that clients, stakeholders, and teams will need to know throughout the course of the project. Add project-related abbreviations, slang, or resource nicknames you expect will come up in communications. 

What are the components of an implementation plan?

There are 13 components every implementation plan needs to have:

  • Selected tools
  • Preliminary research
  • Strategic plan alignment
  • Project summary
  • Resource and materials list
  • Goal monitoring and measurement
  • Buy-in criteria
  • Stakeholder management
  • Operations plan
  • Management plan
  • Key phases and tasks
  • Glossary of terms

A simple implementation plan template

Your own project implementation plan will have lots of information included, but a simple table including the steps needed to launch the project is always a good place to start.

In this example, a small business is preparing to launch an online store to sell its products. Let's take a look at how this looks on a simple table. 

What are implementation planning best practices?

  • Always be as specific as possible 
  • Don’t shy away from consulting experts and conducting additional research as needed 
  • Pull data from similar past projects (successful and unsuccessful), then apply what you learned 
  • Remember that 100% alignment between all stakeholders and personnel across the board is unrealistic 
  • Use a project management solution to quickly update plans when changes come up 
  • Centralize communication to save time and keep everyone on the same page 

What information do you put in an implementation schedule?

Include an outline of the project timeline, goals, and tasks to keep teams on the same page. Combine that with key updates on:

  • The progress of major phases
  • Adjustments made to budgets, timelines, or personnel
  • Upcoming challenges and planned solutions

Implementation schedules are also meant for stakeholders, so the information you put in one needs to be tailored toward their needs. Identify each stakeholder’s level of involvement and what information they want to receive. 

What is the implementation process?

The implementation process is the step-by-step plan a team follows to achieve a shared objective. Each step is concrete and actionable. These instructions should be easily understood by anyone who reads them. 

What is a good implementation plan example? 

One good implementation plan example comes from Outdoor Equipment Manufacturer MTD . The brand uses Wrike to optimize its complex product development process. 

Their projects involve having multiple active tasks open across a variety of teams at the same time. As a result, their implementation plan relies on custom workflows, visual progress updates, and a bird’s eye view of what’s going on across the entire organization. 

Who creates implementation plans?

Project managers create implementation plans. They may choose to collaborate with team leads, subject experts, suppliers, and stakeholders to add important details. However, project managers are responsible for drafting, revising, and monitoring implementation plans the whole way through. 

What are the challenges of an implementation plan?

  • Foggy vision Implementation plans are only as good as the strategy they’re based on. Connect back to your original goals and strategy plan frequently when drafting the implementation process. 
  • Bad communication Instant messenger notes and email updates tend to get lost over the course of a project. Centralize all communication in your project management platform. In Wrike, use @ mentions to loop in stakeholders and collaborators. 
  • Lack of training Hire outside specialists or plan time for proper employee training on new projects, especially if those skill sets come with a learning curve. 

How to use Wrike as implementation planning software

Create a foolproof project plan using Wrike’s visual Gantt charts, detailed task options, and robust templates . Each of these features helps project managers easily make and monitor progress. Use our two-week free trial to save time with customizable implementation plan templates you can use over and over again.

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Maria Waida

Maria is a freelance content writer who specializes in blogging and other marketing materials for enterprise software businesses.

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What is an Implementation Plan? [& How to Do Yours Right]

Jay Fuchs

Updated: November 12, 2021

Published: May 10, 2021

Project management doesn't exactly lend itself to freestyling. You can't really wing it and bank on your intuition to successfully guide you as you go. You have to put in a lot of thought, carefully plan, determine relevant metrics, and observe progress on an ongoing basis if you want your project to come to fruition.

business process implementation plan

And you can't just trust your memory to address all those actions and elements. You need something known as an implementation plan — a document that covers most aspects of your project's blueprint and preferred trajectory. 

Here, we'll explore the concept a bit further, review how you can make one of your own, cover the key components yours should include, and look at an example of one done right.

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What is an implementation plan?

An implementation plan is a step-by-step list of tasks — all with specific owners and deadlines — designed to outline and guide a strategic plan for carrying out a project. It keeps a project's timeline, stakeholder responsibilities, team dynamics, and resource allocation clear through the implementation process.

Your implementation plan serves as a backbone for your project and a consistent reference point to ensure that you and your team are on track to deliver what you need to on time. It should be well-structured, carefully sequenced, and readily visible to everyone involved.

Everyone from management to lower-level stakeholders needs a comprehensive picture of what's going on, their specific responsibilities, and what to expect from the rest of their team.

The nature and structure of implementation plans vary from organization to organization and project to project. So there's no standard format for what one should look like. Still, there are some key points to consider and components to cover when creating yours.

How to Create an Implementation Plan

1. pin down your objectives..

The how, what, where , and when of an implementation plan can't be effectively guided without a firm understanding of the why . What's the endgame? What are you hoping to achieve? What do you stand to gain? Who will benefit if it's carried out correctly? How will you know if you succeeded? What metrics will you use to gauge your success?

You need to have a firm grasp on all of those questions before jumping into the rest of this process. Your objective frames the rest of your implementation, dictates how you set goals, and informs how you adapt to new challenges as they emerge.

2. Tap a specific owner for the implementation process.

Your implementation plan is likely going to involve multiple stakeholders, but in most cases, a project can't be carried out efficiently if it's done exclusively by committee. You need to have one primary owner at the helm of the process, keeping everything in check and on track.

This person will be responsible for tasks like assigning responsibilities, keeping tabs on the plan's progress, monitoring lower-level stakeholders, ensuring the execution remains productive, and any other broader actions that keep the broader project moving.

3. Conduct a risk assessment.

You need to have as comprehensive a picture of what might go wrong with your project as possible before you launch into it. That way, you can anticipate any potential hitches and plan how to address them accordingly.

That's why conducting a risk assessment for your implementation plan is so crucial. You need to thoroughly cover your bases to avoid issues like spending outside your budget or missing deadlines.

If you don't know where to start, take a look at similar projects your company or competition might have carried out. See any issues they ran into, and ensure that you have safeguards in place to deal with those problems, should they arise.

4. Set a budget

If your project warrants creating an implementation plan, it's not going to be free. You'll have some funding, but that probably won't come in the form of a blank check. You need to determine an appropriate price range that accounts for what you think the project will cost and what you're comfortable spending to see it through.

You're best off methodically considering how much the individual tasks that compose the plan will cost and applying the findings of your risk assessment to account for other financial issues that might arise. It might also be worth looking into similar projects and using their budgets as a reference point for yours.

5. Allocate individual responsibilities to team members.

Here's one of the key points where your project owner demonstrates why you tapped them for the job. They need to thoughtfully and effectively delegate tasks to the team you've put together. Every task in the plan needs to have someone personally accountable for it.

Team members need to know which pieces of the project they're responsible for, why those pieces are necessary, and why they — specifically — are responsible for them. You also need to clearly establish the results you expect to see from each task. Keep your standards and intentions clear, and you'll get the most out of each stage of the project.

6. Develop a plan schedule.

Once you have the building blocks of your plan squared away, it's time to put a timeline together. Organize your tasks, and set deadlines for when they need to be accomplished and broader milestones that track the project's overall progress.

That said, you should be willing to account for potential hiccups, like scope creep or communication breakdowns. One way or another, you need to put together a tight, well-defined schedule that lends itself to efficiency and positive morale.

Implementation Plan Components

  • Relevant Team Members
  • Schedule and Milestones
  • Resource Allocation
  • Key Metrics for Success
  • Acceptance Criteria
  • Success Evaluation

1. Relevant Team Members

Identifying who's going to be involved in a project is one of the points to consider when putting an implementation plan together. You need to have a clearly defined picture of all the stakeholders who will be assuming any responsibilities throughout the implementation process. If you don't, you can't clearly allocate tasks, keep tabs on progress, and ensure your implementation is as organized and well-oiled as possible.

2. Key Tasks

At its core, an implementation plan is meant to document a series of actions, so you can't exactly have one if you don't know what those actions are. When you put your plan together, you have to outline what steps you intend to take to get from start to finish.

3. Schedule and Milestones

As I mentioned in the last section, you need a firm schedule in place to hold stakeholders accountable, keep your implementation on track, and ensure that everyone involved in your project is on the same page.

4. Resource Allocation

Virtually any task specified in an implementation plan — like any task in any context — requires resources. You need to ensure that every stakeholder involved has access to whatever they need to fulfill the responsibilities you've assigned to them. You don't want to leave any team member high and dry without the means to get their job done.

5. Key Metrics for Success

You'll have a hard time determining whether your implementation plan is successful without defining how your success should be measured. By monitoring specific, relevant metrics throughout your project, you can have a pulse on whether your current strategy is effective or if you might need to shift gears.

6. Acceptance Criteria

How will you know when your project is done? What will tell you when your implementation plan has actually been implemented? You need to define the criteria that let you answer those questions before creating your plan and setting it in motion.

7. Success Evaluation

As a sort of extension of the point above, you need to know how you're going to evaluate whether your plan actually worked — and the extent to which it did. Have certain metrics and benchmarks prepared to tell you whether your project accomplished what it needed to.

Implementation Plan Example

Your implementation plan is going to be unique to your team and the project you're carrying out — and the format you go with will likely reflect that specificity. Here is an example of what one could look like.

implementationplan_2-1

Image Source: Service Engineering Lab

Your implementation is going to be exactly that — your implementation plan. It's going to be specific to your needs and project specifications. You might not include every component listed here, or you might include some more. Yours could look like the example we've listed, or it could wind up looking different.

Still, this article provides a solid starting point for you to consider when putting yours together. If there's anything to take away from this piece it's this — have a plan in place for your implementation, document it, and track it as your project progresses. If you take those strides, you'll put yourself in the best possible position to see your project through to the other side smoothly and efficiently.

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How to Create a BPM Implementation Project Plan

business process implementation plan

BPM implementation requires a rock-solid methodology to be successful and to reach your business objectives. In this article, we lay out everything you need to create a winning implementation plan.

Introduction.

workflow resources

In setting out on this journey, we see three distinct BPM Implementation phases:

3 Phases of BPM Project Planning

Phase 1: Specification & Planning

Bpm implementation steps.

This phase is about preparation for implementation. The key BPM implementation steps in this phase will be:

  • Setting a clear scope, vision, and strategy

Stakeholder Buy-in

Documenting the current processes, developing a to-be process model.

  • Preparation of User Requirements.
  • Evaluation and Selection of Software Solutions.
  • Building a Business Process Team and Organization Structure

Developing a Budget and Detailed Implementation Plan

Approval to proceed, sample timeline for this phase.

BPM project timeline

Setting a Clear Scope, Vision, and Strategy

This is what you want the effort to achieve. BPM can range in scope from a single process to an initiative that covers an entire organization. It can vary from a small project that simply documents and inventories all processes to a full-blown enterprise-wide deployment of business process management technology. So, it is imperative to set clear objectives of what you want to achieve. Successful system implementation will significantly impact an organization, and this can only be achieved with senior leadership support and sponsorship. Ensure that the BPM objectives align with the strategic corporate objectives of the organization. Develop an inclusive project charter with broad appeal

These will be people with interest in the outcome of the implementation over the lifetime of the project. Typically, it will be

  • Senior Executives
  • Project Team
  • Process Experts/Analysts/Process owners

An essential part of any process implementation will be to secure all stakeholders' buy-in – but in particular, the senior executives who will endorse and sponsor this phase and the implementation phase.

If you do not have a clear, up-to-date document of your current way of working, then you will need to do this. You cannot analyze opportunities for process improvement if the process is not fully defined.

Your process model will cover the agreed scope. The current processes will need to be analyzed and streamlined to develop an optimized way of working. This will need to be carried out by small evaluation teams with input from the process users, the process owners, and business analysts who can ask what 'business value' the existing process offers?

Preparation of User Requirements

Documentation will need to be developed that sets out the business requirements for a BPM solution. It will define the critical (must-have) requirements of potential software solutions and the nice-to-have offerings. In evaluating potential software solutions, this document focuses on the real needs of the business and distracts from focussing on the bells and whistles of the technology offering - what looks cool or jazzy but has little benefit to the organization.

Evaluation and Selection of Software Solutions

In line with preparing the user requirements, the business will need to scan the marketplace of potential offerings that would suit the business. This will need to consider the current and potential future scope of requirements.

Selection of the final software solution will not only consider how well the solution meets your user requirements but also:

  • The company performance and track record
  • The technology offering in terms of what is available today and the future development path
  • the current user base of the software and its relevance to your business
  • The general look and feel of the solution
  • First-hand feedback by site visits to current users.
  • The ongoing support
  • Implementation support
  • The total cost of ownership

Implementation Approach

As outlined in the early points, you need to scope what you are going to achieve. It is always better to phase the implementation into several stages to give a better chance of success. This may be phased by the processes you will focus on; for example, the business may consider the customer relationship management a priority, so you will start with them and then the operations and then finance, etc. Remember to have a pilot phase, where you can check out the full functionality of the solution but with a limited set of data and a limited set of users. (A small subset of your business that will validate the operation of the solution). This will mitigate the horrors of releasing software that is not thoroughly tested to the user community.

Building a BPM Team and Organization Structure

As with any project, having the right project team and organization in place to implement a business process system is crucial. A typical project team and organization structure will include:

  • Steering Committee of senior decision-makers
  • Project Manager
  • Process expertise/Business Analysts
  • IT expertise
  • Key process owners
  • Vendor support team

The size and level of support will depend upon the size and scope of your BPM implementation and the skills available within the organization.

It is crucial to identify the internal support needed from the business and ensure this is seconded to the project. So many projects fail because internal resources are committed in the planning phase, but they are not available during implementation because they are still doing the day job. A strong business leader will be needed to manage the project, who respects the leadership team, can bring on the input from the user community, and can work with the IT/digital support functions as well as manage the external vendors.

Bringing in external expertise (independent from the software vendor) to support your project is strongly recommended as it will increase the chances of success. They will have been through the experience and the process many times before and can guide you through the pitfalls and short-cuts. They can also fill in the expertise and capacity gaps for resources that your organization may not have.

To obtain approval to proceed, a business case needs to be developed in line with the company's Capex requirements. This will need to set out all the implementation costs, including time spent to date in this preparation phase. The benefits will also need to be quantified and time-phased to return on investment and payback period. Typically, projects of this nature are capitalized over five years. In addition, a detailed implementation plan will be required against which the progress in terms of cost and timescales can be monitored.

The objective of this planning phase is to ensure that the project can justify itself and that senior leadership is ready and willing to provide the funding for the project and make their total commitment to ensuring its success. This undertaking will require changes in people's roles, responsibilities, and the work they perform. This all means change, so management needs to be fully supportive and be prepared to address the potential change management issues that the project will present.

Phase 2: Implementation

Knowing that you have the approval and the management commitment behind you is a great way to start, but it is only the beginning. The real work starts from here onwards. Doing the preparation work set out above will make the implementation less stressful and provide a better chance of a successful outcome. From herein, it is the responsibility of the implementation team to deliver the set outcomes. The key considerations in this phase will be:

  • Communications. No matter how much you communicate, it will not be enough. You must have a formal process for communicating up the chain to the leadership team, the workforce, and of course, within the team. Newsletters, webinars, posters (on the wall or digital via intranets) will all help, but there is nothing like talking to people. This should be done not only by the team leader or assigned people, but all the team members should be encouraged.
  • Training. Ensure that you have a training plan that details which you will train, what parts of the solution, and when. Developing good training material will be an asset as you move into the go-live stage. People may likely change roles, new people may come into the business, or your existing users may need refresher courses. The investment in suitable training materials will become an ongoing requirement. Hands-on is still the best approach but remember that videos and computer-based training (CBT) modules can be re-used many times.
  • Interfaces/Integration with other systems. Depending upon the state of the organization's legacy systems, this may become a more significant challenge than perceived. Ensure that you thoroughly evaluate the benefits of trying to interface with systems that are no longer supported.
  • Accuracy and availability of data. Remember the adage garbage-in equals garbage-out. If your data is out of date or inaccurate, then you will not get meaningful information that the business can use for decision-making. Data issues should have been identified at the preparation stage to be created, refined, and validated as part of the implementation.
  • Management of the team. We have already outlined the need for a strong project team and organization structure, but they will need careful management and alignment to the project goals. Bringing any team together takes time and effective coaching. You only have to look at the sports industry's efforts in building strong, successful teams and team leadership. You will need to invest some time and ensure that the project manager can coach and manage his team.
  • Celebrate early successes. It is important to celebrate achievements, even small achievements, early on in the implementation phase. This gives confidence to the team, senior leadership, and the user community that the project is going well.
  • The formal process for addressing change management issues. One of the biggest hurdles will be making changes in the user base's daily work routines, and they will feel vulnerable. Some may not even stay on the journey, so be prepared for this. Follow the To-Be process model, and when changes arise, as they will, have a formal process for dealing with them, including process owner sign-off.
  • System and User Testing. As already outlined under implementation, ensure that you develop a Pilot. Also, as part of your implementation approach, consider how many system environments you will need. Apart from a Production environment, it is good to have at least a Test environment and think about a different Training environment. No solution should be released to users unless it has been fully system and user-tested.
  • Progress Reporting. No project will go according to the initial plan, so be prepared for that. Have a regular progress reporting mechanism to update the senior management and change the plan as required. It is a working document but ensure that you measure progress from the initial plan. (This should be your baseline).

Example of a Detailed Implementation Plan

detailed bpm project plan

Phase 3: Post Implementation

Once the system has gone live, which is likely to be in phases, there needs to be a plan of the post-implementation activities. Some of these will include:

  • Ongoing support provision. Consideration will need to be given to how the system will be supported internally and with vendor support. It is crucial to have an internal coordination function that becomes the first point of user support. Only after they have assessed the problem should the vendor be involved. This usually is part of your IT function.
  • Benefits realization. You will need metrics to measure the business's success and ensure that the investment provides the expected returns. Many organizations find it challenging to assess this. However, if thought is given to this in terms of the metrics before implementation and then measurements after go-live, then the achievements can be measured. These metrics will be driven by the expected benefits set out in the business case.
  • The mindset of continuous improvement needs to be built into the process. No business stands still, and it may be that it took few years from the time of as-is assessment to embedding the new process. In that time, the needs of the business may have changed; new product lines added, changes made in the organization structure, key people have left taking valuable process knowledge with them, the vendor has launched a new version of the solution. The business will need to provide regular changes to the prescribed solution based on the market and business conditions. Skills and processes need to remain in the organization to realize the ongoing improvement opportunities.

Finally, do not think of BPM as a project with a finite beginning and end. Yes, there are definable steps involved, but BPM is more about a journey toward process optimization and an approach to making that happen. Remember that you are building a system for anticipating and managing changes as circumstances change or technology advances. As noted above, implementing BPM requires planning, communication, and hard work, but once people see their ideas come to life and processes become optimized, they will understand why BPM exists and what it does for the organization.

business process implementation plan

Marketing the world's best workflow automation software and drinking way too much coffee. Connect with me on LinkedIn at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelraia/

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business process implementation plan

Project management

Implementation plan: What to include and 5 essential steps

Ben Brigden - Senior Content Marketing Specialist - Author

A project plan or project implementation plan is a key strategic document that keeps teams on track throughout a project, indicating how a project is expected to run along with who’s responsible for what. It’s an extremely valuable planning tool — one that can be the difference between project success and project failure.

It’s also a fairly comprehensive document, and if you’ve never built one before, the concept can feel a bit overwhelming.

In this post, we’ll give you a five-step plan for building and implementing a project plan. First, we’ll walk you through what a project implementation plan looks like, why you should create one for every project, and what each plan should include.

  • What is a project implementation plan?

Blog post image

A project implementation plan is a document that defines how a project will be executed. Implementation plans outline the project's goals, scope, and purpose, as well as listing the resources (including team members) necessary for a successful project.

Project implementation plans are sometimes called “strategic plans” because they lay out the strategy proposed for a project. But we like the longer name because it conveys more than just strategy: It suggests a process going into action, and it answers the question of how a team will arrive at a goal.

A project implementation plan serves as a critical reference point throughout the project's lifecycle, ensuring everyone is on the same page and everything is on the right track. It's a vital document for guiding decision-making, mitigating risks, and ultimately ensuring the successful completion of the project from start to finish.

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The Teamwork.com guide to project management

Get best practices, tips, and methodologies to enhance your project management approach with our free guide.

  • Why every project should start with an implementation plan

Why start each project with an implementation plan? Simple: because you want the project to succeed, and you want an objective way to know if it succeeded.

Starting each project with an implementation plan accomplishes quite a bit for most teams and businesses, primarily because it creates a shared sense of vision and understanding and points toward a clearly defined goal.

Most teams realize these four benefits (and plenty more) when they create a thorough and functional project implementation plan:

It creates an actionable roadmap of the scope of work

Projects run the gamut from extremely simple to lengthy and complex. The more complicated and interconnected the project, the greater the chance for confusion.

Whatever the level of complexity, chaos ensues when team members aren’t clear on what to do, when to do it, or why they’re doing it.

A project implementation plan is the antidote to this kind of chaos because it shows all parties what the path forward looks like (the roadmap ) — as well as what is and isn’t on that path (the scope of work).

It makes goals and communication transparent to all stakeholders

When all parties understand the goals of a project, you lessen confusion around those goals. There may still be disagreement on how to best achieve a goal, but there’s no confusion about what the team is aiming to accomplish.

Also, a central, accessible document containing all relevant aspects of a project creates a single source of truth for teams, managers, executives, vendors, customers, and more. When anyone and everyone associated with a project is working from the same playbook, teams and businesses enjoy clearer, more focused, and more transparent communication .

It holds your team members accountable

Around 70% of businesses report having at least one failed project in the last year. We’ve all been part of a project where no one seemed accountable for problems or even total project failure. Of course, no one likes taking the blame and finding a scapegoat isn’t always terribly productive. Still, if you have a team member or business unit that’s consistently failing to deliver, you want to know.

A strong project implementation plan makes clear who’s responsible for what within a project. It gives project managers and team leads a stronger understanding of task accountability, helping to hold team members accountable for their work.

And most of the time, better accountability comes with better results!

It helps your entire team stay on the same page

You’ll never completely eliminate scope creep (something that occurred within more than a third of projects in 2021), nor should you. Parameters for various deliverables or even the entire project can and do change over the course of a project, and sometimes a change in scope is clearly the right decision.

But not all scope creep is good. Especially with longer or more complex projects, it’s common for team members to lose focus on the top-level goals — not to mention the specific steps needed to reach those goals.

This loss of focus is preventable, though, as is the scope creep that grows from it. A project implementation plan keeps the big-picture goals and the steps required to meet them in focus. When a change in scope is warranted, it should be documented within or alongside the implementation plan.

  • Essential components of a great implementation plan

Most well-designed implementation plans contain these essential items, though it’s important to note that implementation plans vary widely, just like the projects they’re attached to.

These elements comprise a solid foundation for your next implementation plan. Start with these, but feel free to add additional elements that make sense for your industry or project type.

1) Scope statement

The scope statement outlines the scope of the project — essentially, what work will be performed in the project (and what work would be considered out of scope).

2) Project milestones, goals, and key objectives

Project goals are the high-level outcomes the project aims to achieve. Key objectives are the steps or intermediate outcomes that will occur throughout the project in support of the project goals. Project milestones are the points of measurement along the way, usually significant or tangible in some way.

Examples of milestones across a few industry contexts include wireframe completed, beta launch, copy drafted, or the completion of a phase, segment, or function that’s part of the whole.

3) Detailed resource plan

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A project’s resource plan indicates which human resources are involved along with their time or workload commitment. You should also include materials and equipment (typically, only what’s beyond the standard stuff every employee already has) needed for successful project completion.

4) Estimated implementation timeline

A key element of any implementation plan is a concrete timeframe for the project (and its implementation). These dates are rarely perfect at the outset of a project, but they provide a goal to work toward and give stakeholders some context for what they’re signing off on.

Most project teams use project management software for creating project timelines , often in the form of a Gantt chart.

5) Implementation plan milestones

Your implementation plan may benefit from its own set of internal milestones, separate from the broader project milestones. These internal milestones are more useful on highly complex projects with multiple levels of approval and numerous departments supplying information.

Implementation plan milestones could look like these: initial stakeholder information gathered, plan drafted, plan discussed and feedback incorporated, final sign-off by all stakeholders.

6) Implementation plan KPIs & metrics

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Your key performance indicators (KPIs) or other metrics reveal how well the team is accomplishing the implementation plan. Establish measurable indicators, state what they are within the plan itself, and then track them over the course of the project.

Here, a quality project management tool is essential if you want to succeed with measurements that span the length of a project.

  • 5 easy steps to create your project implementation plan

Now you know what needs to go into your project implementation plan — but how do you actually create one and get the implementation process started?

We know this process can seem daunting at first, and it does take some upfront work. But the process doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems. Follow these five easy steps to create an implementation plan that helps keep your project and your team on track. Then, as future projects arise, use these questions as a template of sorts to create a quality implementation and management plan for each one.

Teamwork.com’s project management template is an easy way to start building your plan today.

  • 1) Define your goals and milestones

Before you can create a plan for how to get where you want to go, you need to spend some time deciding where you want to go .

So, before you start building out any other part of a project implementation or action plan, start by devoting time to the what and the where:

What are you trying to accomplish? (Project-level goals)

What needs to happen to reach those goals? (Project objectives)

What are the intermediate steps or milestones that demonstrate progress along the path toward the project’s goals? (Project milestones)

Once you establish goals, objectives, and milestones — and achieve buy-in from key stakeholders and project team members on those goals and milestones — you’re ready to proceed to step two.

  • 2) Conduct research by interviewing, surveying, or observing

Research is one key element of a successful implementation plan. In many project contexts, this research looks like interviewing or surveying various stakeholders, subject matter experts, department leaders, and so on — gathering the information necessary to build your implementation strategy.

Sometimes observation is a key strategy as well: Watching what another team (or vendor or external organization) does or has done on a similar project can provide valuable insights.

  • 3) Brainstorm and map out potential risks

Every project has inherent potential risks. Some of these can be foreseen, while others seem to come out of nowhere. Take the pandemic as one example of the latter category. Yes, businesses should have business continuity and disaster management policies in place, but few — if any — businesses had a concrete plan of action lined up for a global pandemic.

So, there are risks you can’t plan for and could never predict. But there are plenty of risks that, with a little bit of brainstorming and planning, should be easy to discover. These are the ones you need to target as you perform a risk assessment.

Map out the known risks, along with potential impacts and mitigation strategies for each one. Some risks are entirely avoidable so long as you take appropriate risk management actions. Others may not be completely preventable, but having a plan in place will greatly reduce their impact.

  • 4) Assign and delegate essential tasks

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Every good implementation plan will include a work plan or action plan that lists out the tasks within the project to a certain level of granularity. These tasks eventually get plugged into a calendar or schedule of some sort, often within project planning software suites like Teamwork.com .

No matter what method or platform you’re using, at this stage, you need to map out or schedule these tasks. As a part of this step, make sure you assign and delegate tasks to specific resources (or, at minimum, specific departments or work groups).

This step is key to successful project execution, as it assigns responsibility and accountability for every task included in the plan, bringing clarity to who’s doing what and when.

  • 5) Finalize your plan and allocate resources

Next up is allocating resources. You already assigned tasks to people (or departments) in the previous step, so what do we mean here that’s any different?

Put simply, there’s a difference between putting on paper that “Sam will handle task 35” (assigning tasks) and actually making sure that Sam has the capacity to handle task 35 (allocating resources).

In step 4, all you really did was determine who’s doing what. Now, during resource allocation, you make sure that your assignment plan is achievable. Resource allocation means assigning tasks to resources that are actually available. In other words, you need to make sure task 35 doesn’t land on Sam’s desk the same day as 10 other tasks.

Last, once everything else about your plan has been crafted, vetted, and approved, it’s time to finalize the plan. Usually, this involves sending out the completed plan for a final round of approvals.

Once approved, the project implementation plan becomes a single source of truth for the team and other stakeholders. So make sure to store the plan in a central, accessible location. ( Teamwork.com is a great place for this , if you ask us!)

  • Create an effective project plan with Teamwork.com

Creating a project implementation plan requires careful planning and attention to innumerable details, but the results are worth the investment. Increase your project success rate, productivity, morale, and more by keeping teams focused on the right shared outcomes.

We’ve hinted at this a few times already, but project implementation planning (along with all the other documents and documentation you need to prepare to get a project off the ground) is infinitely easier when you use the right tools.

Teamwork.com is a powerful all-in-one platform for client work — including complete operations control and project management — that gives you a central location to store project data, robust yet flexible templates, and visibility into current and past project data. Teamwork.com can cut down on the detail work and keep your information organized in a digestible, more user-friendly way, ultimately empowering you and your teams to achieve better work for your clients, be more profitable, and stay on track.

See more of what Teamwork.com can do for your business now — get started now for free, view our comprehensive pricing plans , or book a demo today.

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Ben is a Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Teamwork.com. Having held content roles at agencies and SaaS companies for the past 8 years, Ben loves writing about the latest tech trends and work hacks in the agency space.

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Implementation plan: how to carry out your project from A-Z

business process implementation plan

Managing a new project is like baking. If you want to control the results, you need to follow a recipe. Even if you’re tackling something completely new, re-using steps and processes from a related product can help you avoid certain setbacks and headaches.

Developing and optimizing an implementation plan can help you keep teams on track, avoid duplicate work, and minimize time-consuming decision-making. It’s one of the best ways to bring big strategic goals to life without overusing resources.

In this article, we’ll cover what an implementation plan is, why it matters, and the optimal way to create your own.

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What is an implementation plan in project management?

An implementation plan is essentially a detailed, step-by-step recipe for completing a project, process, or business objective.

It outlines specific steps and who’s responsible for them. It goes beyond deliverables like in a work breakdown structure (WBS) and dives deeper than strategic objectives, scope, and milestones like in a product roadmap. An implementation plan gets down to brass tacks and lays out the process, so even the newest of new hires fully understands it.

For example, if your high-level goal is to improve your marketing campaign, you can break it down into tangible steps such as: creating flyers, updating your website landing pages, and more.

Then you can assign each activity an owner and add important information about its status, timeline, priority, progress, and more.

High-level project plan in monday UI

Companies often develop an implementation plan to reach specific objectives from a strategic planning meeting. In the example above, the strategic objective of the month’s project is to improve marketing campaign performance. The team broke that goal down into separate deliverables:

  • Site redesign
  • New banner ads

Because the board builds the workflow onto the table, there’s no need to further separate the tasks into design, development, and final approval stages. All team members can see important information at a glance.

Even if you use another view, like a Kanban board , you could easily add columns to represent your workflow, rather than creating extra cards and confusion.

With other planning strategies out there though, do you really need to learn another method? We’ll break down why it may be worthwhile.

Why do you need a solid implementation plan?

In 2020, research found that 31% of projects failed—at least partially—due to poor upfront planning. A solid plan reduces the chances of failure with a better, smoother process for everyone involved. Let’s take a closer look at 4 benefits of implementation planning:

Benefit #1: It facilitates smooth collaboration between teams and leaders

Structure makes it easier for teams to work together. A shared implementation plan and schedule gives every team member and leader insight into who’s doing what at any given time. So if someone has something to contribute at any stage, they can easily step up. A shared plan also boosts communication when everyone can see the full picture and ask questions or receive help along the way.

Benefit#2. Everyone stays on track

With a solid plan, there’s never any doubt about the next steps to take. That helps keep everyone on track throughout the project. Your team doesn’t miss a step wondering what comes next after they finish a task. With a project management implementation plan, everything is laid out clearly from start to finish.

Benefit #3. Implementation plans ensure teams see core benefits

The implementation plan can act as the compass guiding your team towards true north, in this case, the end benefits and strategic objectives. When your marketing team renews a campaign, the objective isn’t to make something new. The goal is to improve the ROI or reach a new demographic.

Project objective path flow chart

( Image Source )

When done right, the plan goes beyond outcomes to make sure that your company benefits from the project.

Benefit #4. Follow the shortest path to the desired outcome.

There are a lot of ways to get from point A to D. The plan should help your team avoid scope creep and stick to the shortest path to success. Like a GPS, a plan helps you avoid windy country roads that considerably slow you down. As a company, enjoying the view is rarely a priority.

Before we start diving in to creating one—those were some pretty nice benefits, after all—let’s take stock of what’s needed on our end to make it happen.

What does a project implementation plan consist of?

A thorough plan includes objectives, activities, a schedule, teams and responsibilities, milestones, KPIs, and even some contingency plans. Together, these elements are the building blocks of a solid foundation for project execution.

Of course, the must-haves depend on the scope of the project. Replacing the company printer probably only needs a 3-step action plan. Let’s break down what’s typically included in a project implementation plan:

  • Goals or objectives

Your project should have a specific goal or objective. Aimless projects are a great way to empty company coffers for no reason. On the other hand, you don’t need to brainstorm a new goal from scratch every time. You can choose objectives from strategy planning sessions or meetings with customers or stakeholders.

  • Core deliverables and activities to make objectives a reality

What do you need to deliver on the project goals? Break down these core deliverables into a step-by-step work plan. These action steps are what most employees think of when they hear the word plan.

  • Implementation schedule

It’s not enough to just plan out the specific actions to take. When you do what matters. A schedule is essential for implementing a project effectively. If you’re working on a building site, carpenters won’t have much to do if they arrive before the foundation is finished.

  • Teams, roles, and responsibilities

Who will work on the project and what deliverables will they own? A clear division of labor is a necessity, at least at the team level, to avoid duplication and confusion.

  • KPIs and milestones

If your objective is to deliver a physical product, you can set logical milestones, like finished design, prototype, user testing, etc. If you’re working to improve a process or marketing campaign, single out key performance indicators (KPIs). Below, you can see an example of KPIs for improving a Google Ads campaign. They include both platform-specific KPIs and actual output KPIs.

Table of example Google Ads KPIs

  • Contingency planning

What will your team do if something goes wrong? If there are any likely or high-impact risks, you need to address these in a contingency plan.

If it seems like there’s a lot that goes into an implementation plan, you’re not wrong. Luckily, we have a way to break it down into smaller bites.

How to create an implementation plan in 5 simple steps

Here’s how to create an implementation plan that will make a difference.

#1. Start with the objectives

Start with the objectives and figure out what your company or team needs to deliver to get there.

The initial high-level project outline doesn’t need to be detailed. If you’re improving an existing product, start including external stakeholders like customers and retailers at this stage of the process to identify what outcomes they’d like to see.

#2. Figure out the necessary people, roles, teams, and resources

Once you’ve got your deliverables down, you need to figure out how you can make that happen.

  • Do you need to bring in some talent from other departments?
  • How much budget do you need?
  • Do you need to use company vehicles or other equipment?
  • Who should own what deliverables?

It’s better to make these decisions early on in the project and let domain experts assist with planning and scheduling specific activities.

#3. Map out core activities and start scheduling

Once you’ve got a few senior engineers, developers, or other experts on board, it’s time to start planning in detail. They can help you avoid costly changes as you move out of the design stage of the project.

Costs of project change diagram

Break deliverables down into smaller, actionable steps in this stage and schedule each activity in a way that makes sense. The action plan should be as accurate as possible, but not 100% set in stone. You may have to change it to adapt to the market.

#4. Set clear milestones and expectations

Everyone, from your team to your clients, should be crystal clear about what will be considered a successful project.

#5. Add buffers and contingencies

For larger projects, thorough requirement and risk analysis is a must. Those learnings should shape your resource allocation and scheduling. It’s a good idea to add safety buffers into the schedule to ensure smooth execution. You also need to budget in contingencies for common risks, such as if a team member takes time off.

Bonus step: choose a platform that makes implementation planning easier and more effective

Trying to do project management without the right features is possible, but it’s also an unnecessarily slow and painful process. On the monday.com Work OS, you get access to every feature a project manager could ever want, including:

  • Gantt chart or other timeline visualization – want to visualize the timeline of your project? Set up a Gantt chart with a few clicks. You can even edit the schedule in the drag-and-drop timeline view. That makes it easy to check and touch up a project schedule.

Gantt chart in monday UI

  • Task assignment with responsibilities and notifications – easily assign work items and entire workflows to teams or individuals. They’ll automatically get reminders for changes, milestones, and deadlines.
  • Real-time communication – communicate directly on assigned work item cards with mentions, file attachments, and threaded discussions. That way, there’s no risk of essential information getting lost in a wave of new messages.

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  • Detailed reporting and dashboards – Stay on top of the project execution and meet your milestones with custom dashboards and reports. Use widgets for status overview, resource management , time tracking, calendar milestones, and more. No organization should leave its projects up to chance. Follow the data.

Add new dashboard in monday UI

And that’s just naming a few. To bake the perfect recipe, you need all the ingredients and all of the steps. monday.com can help.

Carry out successful projects with a solid plan

It’s difficult to turn any project from an idea into reality without a solid plan. The risk of creating duplicate work, decreasing team focus, and losing track during changing markets and objectives are exceedingly high. An implementation plan outlines the tangible steps and schedule that helps you manage a project successfully without feeling overwhelmed.

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Free Implementation Plan Templates

By Kate Eby | January 16, 2024

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We gathered seven free implementation plan templates, complete with customizable sample copy. These templates serve as invaluable tools for professionals, ensuring that each step of the implementation process is thoughtfully planned and executed.

Included on this page, you’ll find a  project implementation plan template , a  software implementation plan template that includes a Gantt chart, a  business strategy implementation plan template , and an  implementation plan presentation template for presenting to stakeholders, among others. You’ll also find details on the  elements of an effective implementation plan and helpful instructions for  how to create an implementation plan template .

Excel Simple Implementation Plan Template

Simple Implementation Plan Example Template

Download the Sample Simple Implementation Plan Template for Excel 

Download the Blank Simple Implementation Plan Template for Excel  

Use this simple implementation plan template available with or without sample copy to streamline your implementation-execution process. Easily organize tasks into distinct phases, ensuring clarity and focus. By assigning responsibilities, setting priorities, and monitoring task status with start and end dates, teams can achieve enhanced accountability. By completing this basic template, you can mitigate potential oversights and keep your implementation plan on course. 

For insights on aligning your project steps with overarching goals, view this  collection of free project timeline templates .

Project Implementation Plan Template for Excel

Project Implementation Plan Example Template

Download the Sample Project Implementation Plan Template for Excel  

Download the Blank Project Implementation Plan Template for Excel  

This project implementation plan has more features than the simple template. It serves as a comprehensive tool for meticulously planning and visualizing the trajectory of your implementation project. Download a blank version or one with sample data to help you complete the template for your project. By segmenting tasks into phases ( Initiation and Development, etc. ), it provides methodical progression structure. The Gantt chart offers an intuitive visual snapshot of the entire project-implementation timeline. Adopting this template will not only enhance organizational efficiency but also provide a clear roadmap for the project's successful execution.

Software Implementation Plan Template

Software Implementation Plan Example Template

Download a Sample Software Implementation Plan Template for

Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Software Implementation Plan Template for 

Excel | Google Sheets  

Steer your software deployment with precision using our comprehensive software implementation plan template, complete with an illustrative Gantt chart timeline. This module-by-module template — available with or without sample text — facilitates meticulous planning. Complete the  Work Breakdown Structure  (WBS) column for task-specific numeric identification. Use the  Responsibility Column to allocate individual tasks to specific team members and how long each might take in the  Estimated Duration in Hours column. Add when you expect the task to be complete in the  Target Completion Date  column. A distinct  Burndown  vertical bar chart showcases the volume of tasks accomplished and those pending for each module, providing a clear visual indicator to assess if the team is on track to meet the implementation milestones on schedule.

For more implementation plan resources and solutions, see this  article on how to create a successful implementation plan .

Microsoft Word Business Strategy Implementation Plan Template

Business Strategy Implementation Plan Example Template

Download the Sample Business Strategy Implementation Plan Template for Microsoft Word  

Download the Blank Business Strategy Implementation Plan Template for Microsoft Word    

Harness the power of this business strategy implementation plan template to streamline your project's path from vision to execution. This template — available with or without example text — methodically breaks down your initiative into vital sections. You’ll find an introductory overview, task delineation, and schedule outline to security considerations and performance metrics. With built-in sections for documentation, references, and management approvals, it ensures a comprehensive yet concise representation of your strategy.

Excel New Process Implementation Plan Template

New Process Implementation Plan Template

Download the New Process Implementation Plan Template for Excel

Elevate your process rollout with this new process implementation plan template. This all-encompassing template provides an interactive platform, wherein task progression automatically refreshes the Gantt chart as you make updates. It also provides intuitive widgets that spotlight task progression, financial tracking, and upcoming deliverables. Together these features furnish stakeholders and teams with a consolidated view of critical performance indicators.

PowerPoint Implementation Plan Presentation Template

Implementation Plan Presentation Template

Download the Implementation Plan Presentation Template for PowerPoint  

Use this template to easily present your implementation plan to team members and key stakeholders. This engaging visual tool lets you delineate tasks within an adjustable bar chart, catering to the timeframes essential to your plan. Incorporate pivotal milestone markers for critical accomplishments, and utilize the integrated  Progress Overview section to swiftly evaluate how well your implementation strategy is working.

Check out this article on free implementation plan templates in PowerPoint format for more resources.

Elements of an Effective Implementation Plan

The elements of an effective implementation plan include clear objectives, outlined steps with timelines, and task assignments. It also has continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms.   

Here's a list of the elements for an effective implementation plan and what they include:   

  • Objectives:  Clearly defined goals and outcomes the plan seeks to achieve. This section gives direction to the entire process. 
  • Tasks/Actions: Specific steps or tasks required to achieve the objectives. Each action should be clearly articulated and avoid ambiguity. 
  • Responsibilities:  Assignments for each task to a person or team to provide accountability and clarity on who does what. 
  • Timelines:  Specific deadlines or milestones for each task or action.. 
  • Resources:  Identification and allocation of resources (such as finances, manpower, or materials) needed for each task. Completing this section ensures the project doesn't stall due to lack of necessary inputs. 
  • Stakeholders: List of individuals or groups who have an interest in the implementation. Keeping stakeholders informed can aid in garnering support and addressing concerns. 
  • Risk Management: Identification of potential risks or challenges, along with strategies to mitigate them. Learn more about  risk management planning .
  • Communication Plan:  A strategy for how information will be disseminated among team members and stakeholders. This  guide to creating a communication plan can help you get started.  
  • Monitoring and Feedback Mechanisms:  Methods to regularly track progress and gather feedback, so you can make necessary adjustments and improvements in real time. 
  • Contingency Plan:  Backup strategies or actions to take if primary tasks do not proceed as planned. These details help ensure the plan remains flexible and adaptable. 
  • Evaluation Metrics:  Criteria to measure the success or performance of the implementation. Use this data to determine if the plan is meeting the objectives. 
  • Documentation:  Maintain records of all actions, decisions, and changes. These documents aid in transparency and future reference, and they ensure that all involved parties are on the same page.

How to Create an Implementation Plan

When creating an implementation plan, first define the objective. Then list all tasks, set dates, assign roles, and track progress. You’ll also need to identify milestones and review and make adjustments as necessary. 

Here are the steps to create an implementation plan:    

  • Define the Objective Clearly state what you hope to achieve with this implementation. This could be the launch of a new product, such as the rollout of a new electronic vehicle (EV) charging stations. 
  • Perform Stakeholder Analysis Identify all parties involved in the implementation. This includes the project team, end-users, management, and any external stakeholders. 
  • Execute a Feasibility Study Thoroughly evaluate the project's potential by analyzing its economic, technical, and operational aspects. This activity involves identifying potential challenges, resource requirements, and risks to ensure that the project is well-founded and worth pursuing. 
  • Design and Develop Your Plan Translate your project concept into a detailed plan. This plan will encompass a comprehensive project outline, including specific tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and resource allocation. 
  • Establish Timeline and Milestones Estimate how long each task will take and set up a timeline for the entire project. Highlight key milestones on the timeline, so it’s easy to see when the project reaches a notable achievement. 

Use a Plan Template to Create the Implementation Plan Now that you have all the details necessary, use a simple implementation plan template to document it. Using a template can streamline and guide the process of executing your projects, ensuring organized and efficient project management.  

Simple Implementation Plan Template Feasibility Study

Enter Task Details For each  Action  in the simple implementation plan template’s seven phases, provide a description, and add the  Party Responsible, Priority, Status, Start Date, End Date , and any relevant  Notes to the corresponding fields.   

Simple Implementation Plan Template Action Columns

  • Establish a Communication Plan Decide how you will keep everyone informed about the project's progress, changes, or updates. Options could include scheduling regular meetings, sending email updates, or using project management software.
  • Deploy Pilot Testing Launch a scaled-down version of your project to a limited audience or in a controlled environment. You'll gather valuable feedback from pilot users, which will inform your adjustments and refinements. 
  • Execute Full-Scale Rollout Execute your project on a broader scale, following the finalized project plan and incorporating insights gained from the pilot test.
  • Review Performance and Optimize Continuously monitor project performance against established metrics and objectives, and make changes as necessary. 
  • Create Documentation Plan Document all aspects of the implementation plan, ensuring you establish a reference point and a record of decisions, justifications, and changes. 
  • Review and Evaluate Once the implementation is completed, review the entire process. What went well? What could be improved? This retrospective analysis can inform future implementation plans.

Easily Create and Monitor an Implementation Plan in Real Time with Smartsheet

From simple task management and project planning to complex resource and portfolio management, Smartsheet helps you improve collaboration and increase work velocity -- empowering you to get more done. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed.

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time. Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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How to Implement Business Process Improvement

ProjectManager

Technology, labor, distribution and consumer demographics have all massively changed just in the last few years. As such, business processes need to be constantly evolving to adapt and bring satisfaction to the customer as efficiently as possible. Organizations are continually looking for leadership team that’s experienced in business process management (BPM) .

It can seem like a tall order to disrupt the status quo at your company, but with the implementation of smart business process improvement strategies, you’ll be able to make these changes as fluidly as possible. Let’s look at business process improvement (BPI), define it, explore strategies and then note the business and project management tools that can help implement and analyze progress in your company.

ProjectManager's dashboard

What Is Business Process?

Before we can improve the business process, we must first understand it. Business process is simply a series of tasks that you and your team perform repeatedly to create a product or service for your stakeholder, sponsor or customer. Business process can be modeled as a flowchart , which details the tasks necessary to serve that business goal.

A business process starts with an objective and ends with the achievement of that goal, which provides value for the customer. A business process can often be broken down into smaller processes, allowing for divisions of labor.

In general, the business process is broken down into three types.

  • Operational: This includes the core business and creates a value stream, such as orders from customers, opening accounts, manufacturing, etc.
  • Management: This includes such processes as corporate governance , budget and employee oversight.
  • Supporting: This includes those processes that support other processes such as accounting, recruitment, technical support, etc.

Each of those types also exhibits the six characteristics of a business process:

  • It has definite boundaries, inputs and outputs
  • It has an ordered list of activities in sequence
  • It asks: “Who is the customer?”
  • It must add value for the customer
  • It is embedded in an organizational process
  • It usually spans several functions

Lastly, when working on a business process it helps to have an owner, someone who is responsible for overseeing and improving this process.

How to Improve Business Process

By streamlining your business process you’ll have fewer errors and delays, and customer satisfaction will improve. Sounds great right? Well, here are some steps you can take to cut waste, boost efficiency and improve your business process.

What Needs to Change?

Analyze your business process at a high level and identify what needs changing. You can uncover areas ripe for improvement by conducting a process audit to discover where issues and risks lurk.

Analyze Your Pain Points

After you’ve figured out which parts of your process need improvement, it’s time to analyze them fully to understand what’s happening and how to realistically make improvements. Ask yourself the tough questions, for example:

  • What steps are creating roadblocks?
  • What aspects are the most time-consuming?
  • Is there an undue increase in cost and resources?
  • Is quality impacted?

You can find your answers by using business process mapping to outline everything with a flowchart or a swim lane diagram. These tools visualize all steps in your business process. You want to dive deep into each phase of the process to make sure you’re not leaving out any steps, regardless of how minor they might appear.

This will help to discover the source of the problems occurring in your process. To further your understanding of where the process is breaking down, you’ll want to talk to those people who are directly involved in it. Get their perspective on what’s wrong and what they think can be done to improve the process.

Once you’ve identified and analyzed the issues, you’re going to need to get support from senior management to okay your plans for improvement. These improvements can take time and use resources, so without a commitment from senior management, you won’t have the power to proceed.

Design the Improvement Process

Now you’re going to redesign the inadequate part of your process and apply the improvements you deem necessary to add efficiency. The best way to do this is by working with those people involved in the part you’re focusing on. Include what you learned when mapping the process but continue getting input from them as part of the redesign.

Be clear about what you want to change, then work on brainstorming or other group activities to collect ideas. At this point don’t stifle any suggestions, regardless of the cost or resources involved. You want to explore first.

After the exploratory step, you narrow the solutions by considering the ideas within a realistic context. Apply impact and risk analysis. Work to uncover risks and potential failure points to further help you understand the full consequences of the proposal you’re building. Once you and the group have come to a realistic approach that has been agreed upon, then you’ll want to create a new diagram to document the steps involved.

What Do You Need to Get It Done?

Now that you have a plan, you need to determine what resources are needed to implement it. List everything required. Go through the proper channels to approve these resources and communicate clearly why they are necessary to refine and improve the process. A business case might be a good way to justify your request.

Make the Change

Implement your redesign. This might mean changing existing systems, teams and processes. Sounds like a project in and of itself? That’s because it is, and you should organize it as one. Plan, allocate time and resources, consider risk and assemble a team to get the work done.

Review, Review, Review

Just as you reviewed the existing processes to discover where improvements could be made, you’ll want to review your improvements. Monitor their progress and make sure they’re meeting the milestones you’ve set up. Be ready to adjust your plan accordingly as issues arise.

Stay in communication with your team throughout. Get input from them on how the new process is working. Ask if they’re finding it frustrating on any level. Take this information and tweak your plan to make sure that the process is in fact making improvements and not meaningless change.

ProjectManager Can Help with Business Process Improvement

There can be a lot of preparation, administration and management involved when implementing BPI, so it can be very useful to use project management tools. ProjectManager has features that can help with business process improvements, such as online Gantt charts, kanban boards, workload management software, real-time dashboards and more.

Plan with Gantt Charts

As you work to redesign you process, you’ll want to have a timeline on which to place tasks and deadlines, to make sure you’re scheduling the project as efficiently as you can. That’s where an online Gantt chart comes in. All you need to do is take your task list and import it into ProjectManager and the timeline is populated with those tasks, which can be linked and progress can be tracked.

ProjectManager's Gantt chart

Visualize Workflow with Kanban

ProjectManager’s Kanban is a visual tool to help you see your current process. It’s very flexible and allows you to visualize your work and divide your Kanban board as you see fit. You can break the Kanban board down as far as you want.

This visibility creates clarity, so you can evolve your process as needed to add efficiencies. It helps everyone on the team see the process at a glance, which allows for a more collaborative effort at improving those processes. By visualizing the process, you can quickly see where there are bottlenecks in your process and resolve them.

A screenshot of the Kanban board project view

Track with Dashboards

Because ProjectManager is a cloud-based project management software it captures the progress of your work in real time. The real-time dashboard , therefore, gives you one screen in which you can see all the data you collect on the progress, cost, workload, etc., related to the process. From this overview, the issues that are preventing you from improving productivity often come quickly into focus.

ProjectManager's dashboard with closeup of tasks metric

Business process improvement is key to keeping your project productive and aligned with the overall organizational strategy of your business. Fortunately, ProjectManager has the tools you’ll need to plan, implement, monitor and share those improvements. Try it yourself with this free 30-day trial.

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Process Implementation - A

Process Implementation – A Comprehensive Guide

Category: Standard Operating Procedures

Last updated on Feb 8, 2024

Every business revolves around repeatable processes that ensure the successful and streamlined running of the company. Any company, big or small, must implement processes that allow all the various employees and departments to coordinate together to help customers.

Although process implementation may not seem like the most exciting topic in the world, we’re going to show you why you need to implement new processes to ensure that your business will flourish. Likely, as Head of Ops, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the processes for the entire organization and be best placed to implement improvements.

Processes shape the entirety of the company and must be coordinated between departments in order to be effective. Correctly evaluating the state of processes within your company, as well as creatively envisioning a new plan is key to successful process implementation.

Table of Contents

What is process implementation, benefits of process implementation, steps to successful process implementation, best practices of process implementation.

First, what is process implementation? It’s when businesses proactively adopt new and improved processes to streamline operations, from conception of the process to execution, evaluation, and adoption. Although one person, such as the Head of Ops, might be responsible for coming up with and implementing new processes, everyone in the organization must buy in to process implementation to achieve tangible results.

All businesses will have processes, but not all will be required to improve them. Only the most competitive and agile businesses will recognize the need to refine and develop their processes in order to ensure that every action taken is necessary and adds value.

example of documentation process

Example of Documentation process

Implementing processes requires the correct documentation and software for employees to collaborate. Processes are usually carried out by more than one person and have far-reaching effects across the organization. Transparency is key in process implementation, and documenting processes increases the chances of adoption.

Now, we will look at some of the main benefits of process implementation within your organization.

Structured Workflow

Your workflows will become more structured when you implement processes. Instead of conducting tasks on an ad-hoc basis, employees can learn what is expected of them, which will also help train new hires. Processes provide cover for employees who are on leave or absent for some reason, and your operations will become more consistent and repeatable.

Effective Resource Utilization

You can utilize your resources more effectively when you know which processes you need to put in place. Instead of wasting resources on processes that are redundant, you can redistribute them to where they are needed. You’ll be able to see where processes are being duplicated across the organization and be able to streamline them, ensuring the right people are taking care of business.

Improved Quality by Reducing Errors

Making processes explicit and implementing new ones means that you can improve quality by reducing errors. Documenting your new processes step-by-step shows your employees how to complete them and defines exactly what constitutes success. If a process is error-prone, you can refine it to make it better and ensure that employees are well-equipped to do their jobs.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation

When employees have new processes to follow this can increase compliance and reduce the risks inherent in conducting business. Following regulations is more feasible when each step is documented for employees, and enables them to question authority if they believe a process is wrong. Safety rules and regulations can be observed when employees understand exactly why a process must be conducted in a certain way.

Promotes Adaptability and Innovation

Employees can adapt more effectively and innovate more successfully with process implementation. Instead of relying on processes that are fixed and immutable, businesses can evolve in a direction that suits their customers and their business models. Employees and departments can respond to consumer demand and market changes if processes are flexible. Regularly reviewing processes means you can stay competitive and agile.

Enables Businesses to Scale

Smaller businesses may be in less need of formal processes but if they want to grow then process implementation is essential. Taking business processes from informal and ad-hoc to standardized and repeatable means that businesses can scale their operations while retaining what was effective about their smaller model. Processes need to grow with the business instead of restricting change.

We will now look at the key steps you must take in order to successfully implement new processes in your business.

1. Establish Specific Goals and Objectives

First and foremost, you need to establish the purpose of your existing processes before you can understand how to improve them. Clearly defining what you want to achieve with your processes, gathering examples and working through the data help you to develop new processes that can later be implemented. If employees understand why a process needs to be overhauled they will be more likely to follow it.

2. Develop a Process Implementation Plan

A process implementation plan means you can outline your new processes in much more detail and find out whether your implementations are viable. It’s essential to understand how the process will be carried out, who is responsible, and what the intended result should be. You need to make it clear how you will improve any existing processes and how this will enhance output.

Components of a Process Implementation Plan

Here are the top components of a process implementation plan for you to include, in order to provide your business with a roadmap for change.

Aims and Objectives

Start off with the aims and objectives of your plan so you know what you want to achieve. Existing processes must be inadequate in some way so you should know how you will improve them, and what success will look like.

Structured Timelines and KPIs

In order to increase the chances of success you must include structured timelines and KPIs so you will know when you should have achieved your goals by. Setting a limit on when it will be sensible to have achieved your goals is key to successful implementation since you have a target to aim for.

Risk Mitigation

Identifying the relevant risks in implementation means you can avoid potential pitfalls. By anticipating possible risks, you can increase the likelihood of success and improve the allocation of resources to prevent mistakes. Develop a contingency plan that you will execute if anything goes wrong, and your business will be in safe hands.

Allocation of Resources

Allocating resources appropriately means you will ensure that each process you implement is adequately staffed and funded without running to excess. Refining your processes means you can conserve and redistribute resources to where they are truly needed, instead of guessing about the budget and manpower that you might need.

3. Map Out the Risks

Before you embark on your process implementation, assessing risks in a map is essential so that you don’t waste time and endanger the business. It’s entirely possible that your new processes will be detrimental to the business so you need to accurately map out where problems might arise so you can circumvent them. Risks are usually something you cannot control such as loss of staff, market changes or budget limitations.

4. Acquire the Necessary Tools and Resources

While processes are carried out on a day-to-day basis and don’t necessarily require specialist equipment, sometimes you’ll need particular tools to document processes and share them. Process documentation tools like Document360 enable you to document step-by-step processes in a user-friendly knowledge base and share with restricted access to your target audience.

example of hiring process

Schedule a demo with one of our experts to take a deeper dive into Document360

5. Delegate Responsibilities and Tasks

You can’t carry out your new processes alone. You’ll need to share the processes among your colleagues and ensure that everyone knows who is responsible for what. Different departments may need to coordinate on processes and change their operations depending on what the new processes require. When each person has responsibility for different processes and knows who to delegate to, this reduces the risk of rework or tasks slipping through the cracks.

6. Provide Training to the Team

It’s likely that training will be required before your team members are ready to step into their new roles. Rolling out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) means that colleagues can learn what is expected of them and you must ensure they have access to the process knowledge base containing the step-by-step guides. Employees must be onboarded into the new processes to ensure that they adapt their existing ways of working, which can only be achieved through thorough training.

7. Execute and Oversee the Progress of the Implementation

Once you’ve implemented the plan, you’ll need to oversee the progress made and ensure that employees have adequate support to adopt their new processes. Bringing a plan to life makes it likely that you’ll need to refine the plan to suit changing circumstances and adapt to new requirements. Reviewing your efforts and evaluating your progress against your initial objectives are crucial for measuring success, but also being flexible enough to respond to change.

Once you’ve implemented your new processes, you’ll be pleased to hear there are certain best practices you can follow to increase your chances of success.

Alignment through Communication and Feedback

Although you may be Head of Ops in charge of implementing the new process plan, you’ll want to continuously gather feedback and communicate clearly with your team members to ensure a free flow of information. Change can be hard and employees need to understand why they are being asked to adopt new processes when they may have previously been satisfied with their ways of working. What is good for the business is good for employees since it ensures your long-term survival.

Utilizing Process Documentation Software

As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll absolutely need to document your processes when implementing your new plan across the organization. Using a tool like Document360 means you can easily capture your processes with a user-friendly interface that allows you to write in Markdown , or WYSIWYG . AI supercharges your ability to create context-rich, structured content that provides easy access for your users.

Example of  SOP on employee training

Employee Involvement and Training

Involve employees in the development of your processes and ensure they are trained in its implementation. Your employees will also be able to tell you which processes might be unworkable and be able to advise on more viable alternatives, so ensure that those on the ground feel heard. Employee involvement also increases the likelihood that your new processes will be adopted as employees will feel part of your initiative.

Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment

Implementing new processes isn’t just a case of setting it and forgetting it. Continuous monitoring and adjustment is required if you are to adapt to a changing environment and ensure that your processes serve the needs of your employees and customers. You may be conducting a broad review of every process, but it’s the smaller changes that add up to make a big impact over time.

Wrapping Up

Implementing new processes in your organization requires careful evaluation, forethought, and caution, in order to avoid disrupting existing business operations. Your organization has survived well enough until now, but updating your processes has the potential to achieve massive productivity and efficiency gains as well as an increase in profits.

Using a plan can help you implement your processes more effectively as well as regularly reviewing and evaluating your strategy. Team members can be your best source of feedback as you revise and update their ways of working to drive business growth and improve every area of operations.

By wasting fewer resources on outdated processes, that’s more money you can spend on improving the business and creating loyal customers. Implementing new processes requires documentation with useful tools such as Document360 so everyone in your team can learn what they are.

An intuitive SOP Software to easily add your content and integrate it with any application. Give Document360 a try!

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Arunkumar Kumaresan

Jan 30, 2024

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  • What is strategy implementation? 6 key ...

What is strategy implementation? 6 key steps to success

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Strategy implementation is the process of turning your strategic plan into action. Whether you’re executing a new marketing plan to increase sales or introducing a new work management software to increase efficiency—your plan is only as valuable as the implementation. In this article, we cover the pitfalls of strategy implementation and how you can avoid them. Plus check out different frameworks associated with this process to set you up for success.

Having a strategic plan is great, but unless you have the bandwidth, resources, and support to implement your plan it’s not going to drive actual change in your organization.

We’re going to cover the key steps of strategy implementation, including potential pitfalls and how you can avoid them, and introduce you to a few frameworks to help you successfully implement any strategy you’re currently working on.

The 6 key strategy implementation steps

Before you can implement your strategy you need to create a strategic plan .

Your strategic or implementation plan outlines the steps your team or organization needs to take in order to achieve a goal or objective. Your implementation plan is the roadmap to a successful strategy execution and should include the following steps:

Define your goals

Conduct proper research

Map out any risks

Schedule all milestones

Assign tasks

Allocate helpful resources

Once your strategic plan is set, it’s time to get it on the road! There are six steps to follow on your way to a successful implementation.

[inline illustration] 6 key strategy implementation steps (infographic)

Step 1: Set and communicate clear, strategic goals

The first step is where your strategic plan and your strategy implementation overlap.  

To implement a new strategy, you first must identify clear and attainable goals. As with all things, communication is key. Your goals should include your vision and mission statements , long-term goals , and KPIs . 

The clearer the picture, the easier the rest of your strategy implementation will be for your team and organization—simply because everyone will be working towards the same goals. 

Step 2: Engage your team

To implement your strategy both effectively and efficiently , you need to create focus and drive accountability. There are a few ways in which you can keep your team engaged throughout the implementation process:

Determine roles and responsibilities early on. Use a RACI matrix to clarify your teammate’s roles and ensure that there are no responsibility gaps.

Delegate work effectively . While it can be tempting to have your eyes on everything, micromanagement will only hold you back. Once you’ve defined everyone’s roles and responsibilities, trust that your team will execute their tasks according to the implementation plan.

Communicate with your team and ensure that everyone knows how their individual work contributes to the project. This will keep everyone motivated and on track.

Step 3: Execute the strategic plan

Allocate necessary resources —like funding for strategic or operational budgets—so your team can put the strategic plan into action. If you don’t have the right resources you won’t be able to achieve your strategic plan, so this should be a top priority. Here’s how you can ensure that your team has the resources they need:

Start with the end in mind to effectively align your project’s objectives, key deliverables, milestones, and timeline.

Identify available resources like your team’s capacity, your available budget, required tools or skills, and any other unconventional resources

Define a clear project scope so you know exactly what your project needs when.

Share your project plan with everyone involved in the implementation process using a work management tool.

The better built out your strategic plan is, the easier it will be to implement it.

Step 4: Stay agile

You’ll inevitably run into issues as you begin implementing your strategy. When this happens, shift your goals or your approach to work around them. 

Create a schedule so you can frequently update the status of your goals or implementation strategy changes. Depending on the strategy you’re implementing, you can create weekly, monthly, or quarterly project status reports . Share these updates with your external stakeholders, as well as your internal team, to keep everyone in the loop.

Having a central source of truth where you can update your team in real time will help you streamline this process. Asana’s work management software allows your team to coordinate projects, tasks, and processes in real time but also gives you the freedom to get work done asynchronously —providing everyone with the visibility they need to understand who’s doing what.

Step 5: Get closure

Once you implement the strategy, connect with everyone involved to confirm that their work feels complete. Implementing a strategy isn’t like a puzzle that’s finished when the last piece is set. It’s like planting a garden that continues to grow and change even when you think you’re done with your work.

Getting closure from your team will be the second to last milestone of your strategy implementation and is a crucial step toward completion.

Step 6: Reflect

Conduct a post-mortem or retrospective to reflect on the implemented strategy, as well as evaluate the success of the implementation process and the strategy itself. This step is a chance to uncover lessons learned for upcoming projects and strategies which will allow you to avoid potential pitfalls and embrace new opportunities in the future.

What you need to implement a strategy

No matter how well thought out your strategy is, you’ll need these five key components to successfully implement any strategy.

[inline illustration] 5 components to support strategy implementation (infographic)

You’ll need a team that not only understands the strategy you want to implement but also has the skills and bandwidth to support you. Appoint, hire, and train the right people for the job and ensure that the competencies needed to succeed are present in your project team.

quotation mark

Asana’s Customer Success team was invaluable to our implementation process. They took the time to understand our business and showed us how to create practical workflows and processes to get the most out of Asana. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Effective resource allocation is one of the most important parts in strategy implementation. Resources can be both financial (e.g., cost of labor) and non-financial (e.g., time to implement strategy).

Organization

Everyone in your organization needs to know what their responsibilities are so they can be accountable for their part in implementing the strategy. This also means that the chain of command has to be defined and communicated so everyone knows who to communicate with during the implementation process.

The tools, capabilities, and systems you’ve put in place are another key component. You have to know what the functions of each of these systems are and how they will support your strategic management process during and after the implementation. 

The final key component is the organizational culture within your company. Rolling out new strategies can be confusing and stressful for teams. Ensuring that everyone knows what they need to know and feels valued and included is crucial for a successful and effective implementation.

McKinsey’s 7S framework

McKinsey & Company is a world-renowned management consulting firm that, among other things, created a framework of seven factors needed to implement a strategy successfully.

The factors can be split into hard elements (strategy, structure, and systems) and soft elements (shared values, skills, style, and staff). While the hard elements are easy to identify and influence directly, the soft elements are less tangible and typically influenced by the company culture versus a manager or other direct contact.

Let’s take a quick look at the McKinsey 7S Model, beginning with the hard elements:

Strategy: Your organization’s plan to establish or maintain a competitive advantage over others in the field

Structure: Your company’s organizational structure

Systems: The day-to-day procedures and activities performed by your teams

These are the soft elements of the framework:

Style: The leadership style in your organization

Staff: Your team and their general capabilities

Skills: Your team’s competencies and skills

Shared values: Your organization's core values

You can apply this framework to your strategy implementation process by looking at your organization’s shared values first and ensuring that they align with your hard elements. Next, identify how well your hard elements support one another and where changes could improve their interaction. After you’ve established that, do the same for your soft elements.

This analysis helps you identify elements that are working well and elements that need improvement. Applying this framework to your strategic plan and strategy implementation process helps you get a better feel for how well your organization can implement change.

The three Cs of implementing strategy

Business consultant and author Scott Edinger coined the three Cs of implementing strategy —clarity, communication, and cascade. They’re the three steps you should keep in mind if you want to implement your strategy successfully.

[inline illustration] The three Cs of implementing strategy (infographic)

Let’s take a closer look at what they represent.

Clarify your strategy. Ideally, strategy was well received in the boardroom and your stakeholders and executives are on board. However, if it’s not clearly defined, you may lose your mid-level and frontline team members along the way. Your team can only implement a strategy they understand, so be clear with what your goals and strategic objectives are.

Communicate your strategy. A poster, announcement, or newsletter won’t be enough to communicate a new strategy to your organization. Diversify your communication strategy to ensure that teams know what’s going on and create opportunities to ask questions so everyone feels like they’re part of the process.

Cascade your strategy. A well implemented strategy cascades through your entire organization. Involve your organization’s managers and ensure that they understand the strategy so they can forward relevant information, tactics, and processes to their teams. While you may have informed your organization during the communication stage, this step is crucial in aligning every last teammate with your new strategy.

Next, let’s have a look at some of the challenges you’ll encounter during strategy implementation.

Strategy implementation pitfalls and solutions

A big undertaking like the implementation of a new strategy comes with its fair share of obstacles. Below are four of the most common pitfalls you’ll encounter when implementing a strategy plus a few tips on how you can create solutions for your team. 

1.  Overwhelming or meaningless strategic plan

Problem: If the strategic implementation lacks meaning and potential or if there is an overwhelming number of puzzle pieces to consider, it can really put a wrench in your implementation. 

Solution: Use SMART goals to ensure that your strategic plan is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. This framework will ensure that your strategic plan is both meaningful and possible to implement.

2. No implementation in sight

Problem: It’s great to have a strategic plan but without the resources and support from upper management, the implementation may never happen.

Solution: Your strategic plan should include clear goals, consequences, and requirements to inspire the actual implementation of your strategy. The clearer the document, the easier it will be to get the resources needed to turn it into action.

3. Lack of communication and ownership

Problem: A team that’s not 100% sure what the strategy actually is and doesn’t feel confident about their respective tasks can make your implementation process come to a halt before it’s even begun.

Solution: Clearly define each team member's responsibilities and delegate any relevant work. This gives team members a sense of ownership over the outcome of the strategy implementation. Ensure that your teammates have the authority and resources to execute their tasks.

4. Lack of accountability and empowerment

Problem: Low visibility and a lack of accountability can make your team feel helpless. 

Solution: Schedule regular strategy review and team meetings to discuss each team member’s progress, issues that are arising, and strategy shifts that can contribute to the success of your implementation. Track the progress to give your team a sense of accomplishment whenever they check off another goal they’ve met.

As long as you’re aware of the challenges, you can tackle them head on and avoid unnecessary setbacks.

Plan, implement, celebrate

Change isn’t easy but in order for your team to grow, it’s crucial that your organization does too.

Whether you’re in the midst of developing your strategic plan with a small project team or you’re already communicating your strategy to the entire organization, reliable project management software is critical in ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need.

And once the strategy is successfully implemented, don’t forget to give yourself and your team a pat on the back. After all, celebrating milestones like these is important too!

Sources: Harvard Business School | MindTools | OnStrategy

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What is process implementation?

business process implementation plan

Many businesses utilize process analysis as a key method for understanding and improving business processes. While analysis is straightforward, the value add in effective business process management comes from successful execution. In this article, we will explore the key steps and practices for successful process implementation.

What exactly is process implementation?

Business process implementation is the time to put your improved or reengineered process into practice. Implementation is an ongoing task that requires careful planning and enough time to ensure process actors are well-trained, informed, and happy with the proposed changes. 

Implementing new processes can bring numerous benefits to a business. By streamlining workflows, businesses can optimize resource allocation and reduce unnecessary steps. Implementing improved processes promotes efficiency by eliminating bottlenecks and reducing manual work, helping to reduce mistakes and improving the quality of outputs. Finally, new processes can support business growth by enabling scalability and adaptability to changing market demands. 

business process implementation plan

Process implementation is an integral part of the broader process reengineering effort. Process reengineering involves redesigning and improving existing processes to achieve significant performance improvements. However, the success of process reengineering depends heavily on the effective implementation of the new processes. The better the reengineering plan and its execution, the smoother the implementation phase will be, especially when combined with the five implementation practices.

What is the process implementation plan?

A process implementation plan is a comprehensive roadmap that outlines the steps and strategies required to successfully introduce and execute new or improved processes within an organization. It serves as a guide for process owners and stakeholders involved in the implementation, ensuring a structured and organized approach. 

The plan typically includes key elements such as the goals and objectives of the implementation, the timeline, resource allocation, roles and responsibilities of team members, communication strategies, training requirements, and evaluation measures. The implementation plan provides a clear framework for executing the implementation process, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring that the desired outcomes are achieved. It serves as a valuable tool for project management and helps in effectively managing and tracking progress throughout the implementation journey.

Five key practices for successful process implementation

1. follow a happy and unhappy path.

Understanding the reality and deviations against your desired business process with happy paths helps process owners and teams to see if the new processes are running smoothly. An employee who demonstrates the actions thought up in the reengineering phase, such as easily adopting new technology, buying into the new process, etc., follows the happy path. 

However, things seldom flow well during large projects. Spotting an undesired unhappy path helps process owners prepare for the inevitable glitches and deviations they’ll encounter along the way, such as: 

  • Employees did not receive adequate training on the new system. 
  • Someone with experience in a particular technology with a specific set of skills must be recruited, and recruitment is time-consuming.   
  • Employees feel the new process has negatively affected the company culture and team dynamics.

While implementing a new process, remember the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz. The Yellow Brick Road leads to your desired destination but is filled with things that can push you to the curbside. You must be prepared to react to these challenges to stay on the straight and narrow.  

2. Ensure alignment with clear communication and feedback   

At the start of the implementation process, top management must agree upon and be aligned with the new vision.  To get employees aligned and on board,  management must offer a clear explanation of why changes are being made and why they are important.  Communicating changes via a series of emails, press releases, or even in-depth video explainers will not be enough to ensure buy-in from all process actors. 

When implementing a new process, it’s best to communicate with regular catch-ups, meetings, one-to-ones, and feedback sessions. This is an ongoing project, and employees must be able to ask questions, express concerns and share ideas. Dictating changes can cause upset amongst teams, which threatens to crumble company culture, lower employee satisfaction, and even increase staff turnover rate. 

3. Brace yourself for bumps in the road   

Resistance to change is common during process implementation. Employees may feel nervous about changes to company culture, job stability, or the introduction of new technology. It is important to recognize that a small healthy amount of resistance is normal and can provide valuable insights. It offers an opportunity to address concerns, make necessary adjustments to the plan, and ensure a smoother implementation. By anticipating and addressing potential roadblocks, businesses can mitigate resistance and increase the chances of successful implementation. 

4. Provide adequate training 

In theory, a payroll manager is an ideal person to efficiently manage a new payroll system from day one of implementation. In reality, the payroll manager must be allocated enough time and resources to get them onboarded and pay other employees their salaries. Remember, the payroll manager should not have a new working method thrown at them during the implementation stage. Any changes should be agreed upon during the BPR stage.  

5. Use process intelligence software

There are lots of implementation software out there, and some will be better suited to your needs than others. However, many teams find implementation easier with process intelligence software that reports progress in real-time. 

If you're leading new process implementation projects, it's typically difficult to get insights into how it really works. Employees whose work is affected by that changing business process still need to deliver the same results for their customers. Because of this, people are busy during the change process and sometimes anxious, trying to gain an objective understanding of what works and what doesn't. 

Offering transparency during the deployment phase, along with easily understood automatic reports and recommendations , helps your team hit the ground running. Seeing the effects of change in real-time is crucial for change management. 

Employee training and involvement for successful process implementation

Employee buy-in is absolutely essential for successful process implementation. Everyone in the company is directly involved in executing the processes, and their engagement and support are crucial for the changes to be effective. Involving employees in the planning stage, providing clear communication about the reasons for change, and addressing their concerns contribute to a higher level of buy-in and implementation success. 

It is important to create an environment where employees feel empowered to provide feedback, ask questions, and share ideas throughout the implementation process. By prioritizing employee training and involvement, businesses can enhance their chances of smooth and successful implementation, ultimately leading to improved performance and outcomes. 

Example: Helsinki payroll system update - when small hiccups caused significant issues 

Recently, many workers in the city of Helsinki experienced problems with salary payments due to IT errors caused by a payroll system update. The financial department cited errors in the many implementation steps needed to change a system responsible for paying almost 40,000 people. 

Several small implementation mistakes resulted in 7,000 unread messages reporting payment problems and workers taking out high-interest loans due to unpaid salaries. One worker was shocked to see a salary of 370,000 euros rather than 3,700 euros in their account. This case showcases how small issues and lack of effective intelligence to monitor implementation can cause, such as:

  • Damaged reputations
  • Extra time and money required to fix errors 
  • A slower pace of work 
  • Frustrated workers and customers 
  • The need to issue an official apology
  • The negative implementation experience will likely hurt the chances of getting employee buy-in for future projects. 
  • Employees might leave after becoming frustrated with dealing with pain points 
  • Losing business due to frustrated clients or damaged reputations.‍

Continuous monitoring and evaluation

Process implementation does not end once the new processes are put into practice. Continuous monitoring and evaluation are essential to measure the effectiveness of the implemented processes and identify areas for improvement. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be established to track the success of the implementation and assess whether the desired outcomes are being achieved. Regular evaluation allows businesses to make data-driven adjustments, address any issues or challenges that arise, and optimize the processes for better results.

Bottom line

Redesigning and implementation are about improving the previous state for better processes, better work, better systems, and better service. However, it is not a simple task and requires careful planning, alignment, and training. By following the outlined steps and best practices, businesses can increase the chances of successful process implementation. 

Clear communication, ongoing feedback, and adequate training are key elements in gaining employee buy-in and ensuring a smooth transition. Additionally, leveraging process intelligence software provides valuable insights and enables effective change management. Diligent monitoring and continuous improvement are essential for maintaining the benefits of the implemented processes. 

Josef Konderla

business process implementation plan

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How to Create a Process Improvement Plan [20+ Templates Included]

By Jennifer Gaskin , Jun 12, 2023

process improvement plan

A process improvement plan is a comprehensive and actionable document that outlines the necessary steps to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance of processes and procedures within your company. It serves as a roadmap to identify areas of improvement, address bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and optimize resource utilization.

A well-crafted process improvement plan should provide specific and practical recommendations that are applicable across various functions and departments within your organization, allowing for widespread implementation and consistent benefits across the business. By adopting a process improvement plan, companies can proactively drive positive change, foster continuous improvement, and achieve higher levels of operational excellence.

Many aspects of process improvement can benefit from visual communication tools like infographics, presentations, mind maps and more. Venngage for Learning and Development teams makes it easy to create your own visual assets to help implement and manage your process improvement plans.

Click to jump ahead:

  • Process improvement plan case study

What are the most common types of process improvement plans?

What is an example of process improvement, types of process improvement plan & examples, what are the benefits of establishing a process improvement plan, process improvement plan faq, how do you create a process improvement plan.

Change isn’t easy, and it can be a challenge for companies to figure out what they’re doing wrong and how to fix it. But that’s why establishing a process improvement plan framework can help you make fact-based decisions about how to improve your organization.

A well-designed process improvement plan can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive organizational growth. To help you navigate this crucial endeavor, here are ten essential steps to create a process improvement plan that yields measurable results:

  • Identify the Goals: Define the specific objectives you aim to achieve through process improvement. For example, reducing customer wait times by 20% or decreasing production errors by 15%.
  • Analyze Current Processes: Thoroughly evaluate existing workflows to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas of improvement. For instance, examine how information flows between departments or how inventory is managed.
  • Gather Stakeholder Input: Engage employees, managers, and other relevant stakeholders to gather insights and perspectives on process challenges. Example: Conduct interviews or surveys, or integrate a cloud contact center solution to collect feedback on pain points and potential solutions.
  • Prioritize Improvement Areas: Based on the analysis and stakeholder input, prioritize the areas that require immediate attention. This might involve identifying high-impact processes that, when improved, will have a significant positive effect on the organization.
  • Set Measurable Objectives: Establish specific and measurable objectives that align with the identified improvement areas. These objectives should be quantifiable and time-bound. For example, reduce customer complaints by 25% within six months.
  • Develop Action Plans: Create detailed action plans for each improvement area, outlining the steps, responsibilities, and timelines for implementing changes. For instance, assign a cross-functional team to streamline the order fulfillment process and develop a timeline for completing the necessary changes. Consider having  action plan templates  in place so there you team has a framework for how to accomplish processes.
  • Implement Changes: Execute the action plans while closely monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to the established timelines. Example: Introduce new software to automate manual data entry tasks and track key performance indicators.
  • Measure Results: Regularly measure and evaluate the impact of the implemented changes against the set objectives. This may involve tracking metrics like cost savings, productivity improvements, or customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Adjust and Refine: Based on the results, identify any gaps or areas that need further improvement. Adjust the action plans accordingly, making iterative refinements to continuously optimize processes.
  • Communicate & Engage : Keep all stakeholders informed about the progress of the process improvement initiatives and encourage their ongoing involvement. Share success stories and celebrate achievements to sustain motivation and engagement.

By adhering to these useful guidelines, you will forge a formidable process enhancement blueprint that propels transformative growth within your organization. Keep in mind that process improvement is an ever-evolving odyssey, and constant scrutiny and fine-tuning will safeguard perpetual triumph in fine-tuning your operations.

Process Improvement Plan Case Study

Following the steps we outlined earlier, let’s explore a hypothetical process improvement plan for a doctor’s office that constantly gets complaints from patients about how many forms they have to fill out.

Process Improvement Plan: Reducing Patient Form Burden in a Doctor’s Office

  • Identify the Goals: The goal is to streamline the patient intake process and reduce the number of forms patients have to fill out, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and reduced administrative burden.
  • Analyze Current Processes: Evaluate the existing patient intake process to identify the number and types of forms patients are required to complete, as well as any redundancies or inefficiencies in the process.
  • Gather Stakeholder Input: Engage with patients, front desk staff, and healthcare providers to understand their perspectives on form-related challenges and potential solutions. Conduct surveys or hold focus group discussions to gather feedback.
  • Prioritize Improvement Areas: Identify key areas where form reduction can have the most significant impact on patient experience and administrative efficiency. For example, focus on eliminating redundant information across forms or consolidating multiple forms into a single comprehensive document.
  • Set Measurable Objectives: Establish specific objectives, such as reducing the number of forms by 50% within three months, minimizing the time patients spend filling out forms by 25% or achieving a patient satisfaction rating of 80% regarding the form intake process.
  • Develop Action Plans: Create action plans to streamline the patient intake process and minimize form requirements. Examples of actions may include:
  • Conduct a thorough review of existing forms and identify areas of overlap or duplication.
  • Consult with legal and compliance teams to ensure necessary information is captured while minimizing redundancies.
  • Explore the possibility of implementing electronic forms or online pre-registration to expedite the process.
  • Train front desk staff on the new streamlined process and educate them on assisting patients in completing forms efficiently.
  • Implement Changes: Execute the action plans by implementing the agreed-upon improvements. This could involve revising and consolidating forms, implementing electronic forms or online pre-registration systems, and providing staff training on the revised process.
  • Measure Results: Regularly measure and evaluate the impact of the implemented changes against the set objectives. Track metrics such as the number of forms eliminated, time saved for patients, and patient satisfaction ratings related to the revised intake process.
  • Adjust and Refine: Based on the results and ongoing feedback, identify any areas that require further improvement. Refine the process by addressing any remaining pain points or bottlenecks to ensure a seamless and efficient patient intake experience.
  • Communicate and Engage: Maintain open communication with patients, staff, and healthcare providers throughout the process improvement journey. Inform patients about the changes and improvements made to the form intake process, and encourage their feedback and suggestions for further enhancements.

By implementing this process improvement plan, the doctor’s office can minimize the burden on patients by reducing the number of forms they need to fill out, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and streamlined administrative processes. Remember that continuous evaluation and refinement are essential to adapt to evolving patient needs and ensure ongoing improvements in the patient intake experience.

You can customize this process improvement plan template to reflect the example above:

process improvement plan

Return to Table of Contents

There are found major methods of process improvement that you may consider integrating into your process improvement plans. Some of these methods are used in the largest companies in the world.

process improvement plan lean six sigma

A quality control method developed by a Motorola engineer, Six Sigma has become a global phenomenon, and Six Sigma certification is highly sought-after in many industries. Six Sigma outlines five steps for improving existing business practices, abbreviated to DMAIC:

Here’s how a process improvement plan should be when using the Six Sigma method:

process improvement lean six sigma flowchart

Lean & Lean Six Sigma

Lean traditionally is used by manufacturing companies, but the principles are useful across all industries, and as its name suggests, Lean process improvement plans focus on reducing waste. In particular, Lean aims to eliminate any activities that do not add value to the end user of the good or service. The steps are:

  • Identify value
  • Map value stream
  • Create flow
  • Establish pull
  • Seek perfection

Lean Six Sigma is the hybrid of the two methods, helping organizations improve processes through DMAIC while also eliminating waste.

Total quality management (TQM)

process improvement plan

Total quality management (TQM) had its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s before the advent of Lean and Six Sigma, but its main objectives are still valid today. TQM process development plans focus primarily on quality control, ensuring that the company’s output is of the highest possible quality and determining ways to make output even better.

TQM doesn’t have steps as most other process improvement methods do. Rather, it focuses on principles that should guide an organization with a TQM mindset:

  • Customer-focused
  • Total employee involvement
  • Process-centric
  • Full team integration
  • Strategic and systemic
  • Data-driven decisions
  • Constant communication

Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)

process improvement plan pdca

Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) is a continuous change management cycle that was first established by engineer and management consultant W. Edwards Deming in the 1950s. Back then it was called a Deming Wheel , which was later modified by Japanese engineers to arrive at its current definition.

The steps involved in PDCA are obvious:

As the name suggests, process improvement refers to the task of identifying, analyzing and improving existing business processes that are often outdated or no longer efficient enough.

While the term is most often used in a business context, it can refer to any decision or actions that aim to improve a process, be it as simple as finding a shorter route on your drive to work or as complex as improving the whole customer service process of a corporation.

Back to its business context, process improvement could target wasteful spending, poor office design, IT system downtime, employee disengagement and many other issues that can doom an organization.

Process improvement can’t be effective without proper process documentation policies in place. If you haven’t documented your company’s processes yet, we can help with that. Check out these process documentation templates to get you started.

There’s more than one type of process improvement plan, which we’ll explore more in detail . In addition to the example we shared above, a process improvement plan can also consist of 6 steps:

process improvement plan

Or 4 steps, like this one which is developed using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model:

process improvement plan pdca

These steps are, of course, quite simplified, and some process improvement plans will require months or years of changes to procedures, hiring practices, training, systems, software and more.

For example, a process improvement plan for a company lacking a specific skill set in its employees can mean hiring new staff and training the existing one. In cases like this, other tools like individual development plans can be useful.

process improvement plan

This individual development plan designed for healthcare workers is a good example of how process improvement plans can branch off into other areas.

And once the new process is in place, it’s important to communicate it to the team effectively. That could be through a  process infographic , timeline , mind map or other types of visual communication .

Customize this project communication plan to help streamline communication channels between teams working on the same project:

project communication plan

Another example of a process improvement plan, this nursing care plan is used in a healthcare setting only. It could be used to illustrate a new plan aimed at addressing gaps in communication and patient care. But you can use the process suggested in this plan and apply it to any industry.

process improvement plan nursing teaching plan

This creative design process infographic would be an ideal way to share with a creative team a proposed new method of taking clients through the design process. Consider color-coding new or revised steps if creating a piece like this to share a revised company process.

process improvement plan

Customize this action plan mind map once you’ve settled on a new process so that team members see steps involved in their tasks but also keep the main objectives in mind.

process improvement company action mind map

Process improvement plans are useful for organizations of all types, and their output can include simple verbal instructions. But most companies benefit from creating charts, presentations and infographics to communicate a variety of aspects surrounding the plan.

Check out these process improvement plan templates that may help your organization.

Process improvement plan development examples

Developing a process improvement plan is complicated, but visual tools like infographics can make it easier for your team to grasp the steps involved.

process improvement plan

Help your management team and employees understand the steps involved in the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle with this infographic. Customize it for your needs by outlining specific actions they need to take in the bottom section.

process improvement plan

This PDCA cycle infographic is ideal for companies that are implementing improvement plans across their organization.

Revised process examples

Once you’ve settled on a new way of doing things, explaining the new process clearly to employees (and sometimes customers) is critical. Process and timeline infographics are helpful, as they allow people to visualize the new steps.

Here’s an example of a process improvement plan to revise customer support process, built based on the PDCA concept:

process improvement plan

Customize this project management process infographic for the new process you and your teammates are creating. Quickly change out icons for ones that apply to your business, and use My Brand Kit to ensure the design aligns with your corporate identity.

process improvement plan

Use this colorful process infographic for a new process that has several steps. Lengthen or shorten as needed to cover all the steps in your revised process. Or use a template like this to create a process improvement action plan as you begin your work.

process improvement plan

Revised policy examples

Process development plans can easily spill over into a variety of business areas, and it’s often necessary to craft new policies and procedures on the way to your new process. Infographics and other tools can help you spread the word and document these new policies.

If your new process will require added documentation that needs to be signed by an employee or their supervisor, customize this procedure infographic that explores how to submit expense claims. Change the title, content and illustrations for your needs.

process improvement plan

Perhaps your process improvement plan revealed that nobody in your organization is prepared for a disaster or emergency. The output of your process improvement team could be a business continuity plan like this one.

process improvement plan

Employee development examples

The success of your new process will depend entirely on your team’s ability to execute it, and many organizations find that a major reason why their current processes aren’t working is that team members lack certain skills. So, employee development is often involved in executing a revised plan.

Help team members visualize the skills they need to develop by working with them to create a mind map like this one.

process improvement career plan mind map

Customize this career planning infographic for team members as you work with them to help them build the necessary skills. While this example is about career planning in general, it’s easy to customize with specifics for your employees.

process improvement plan

Change management examples

Humans by nature are resistant to change, and your organization may find it challenging to implement a new process. These change management plans may help you communicate and motivate your team.

Follow the steps in this change management process infographic to break through your team’s stubborn adherence to old, inefficient processes.

process improvement plan

Update this planning process infographic to help get your team on the side of change. Employees who feel they are involved in steering the company in the right direction will feel a strong sense of ownership in the entire process improvement operation.

process improvement plan

There are many benefits of diving into a process improvement plan in your organization, and the most obvious and important is to improve your company’s overall efficiency. Doing so can make the business more profitable in the long run. But that’s not where the benefits end.

The biggest benefits of a process improvement plan include:

  • Employee satisfaction : More productive workers make a company more money over time, but they also gain a sense of accomplishment and self-improvement.
  • Customer satisfaction : Many process improvement plans target tasks that are customer- or client-facing, and making sure your customers are satisfied is crucial for any organization.
  • Agility : The business landscape is constantly changing, so putting a process improvement strategy into place will equip your organization to handle future disruption.
  • Safety : Efficient processes are helpful to reducing workplace accidents and repetitive stress injuries, and examining the physical activities employees are doing as part of their jobs can help make them safer overall.
  • Modernization : Organizations that resist technology are likely not long for the world, and process improvement plans are ideal for adapting new technologies to your company’s workflows.
  • Innovation : In any company, there are things you do because that’s the way you’ve always done them. But breaking those processes down to see how they function is one of the best ways to spark a new idea and create innovation in your organization.

Do you have more questions about creating a process improvement plan for your organization? We’ve got answers.

How do you propose a process improvement plan?

Communication is a critical part of process improvement. If people don’t know or understand why change is needed, it’s unlikely they’ll embrace any new processes. Proposing a process improvement plan requires an individual or small group who will own the plan’s development from start to finish and can be evangelists for the plan across the organization.

What are the contents of a process improvement plan?

In general, process improvement plans must include a definition of the process, an explanation of its steps, an identification of the ways in which it falls short, a proposed new process and a mechanism for monitoring the revised steps.

How do you find areas of process improvement?

If you knew exactly why your organization wasn’t as successful, you’d fix it right away. But finding areas of process improvement means keeping your ear to the ground and observing the organization in an objective way. Common areas of process improvement include authority overlap, constantly missed deadlines, poor quality control, physical safety issues, fixing errors rather than preventing them, employee and customer dissatisfaction and excess spending.

In summary: Process improvement plans can help your company be more productive and eliminate organizational frustration

Identifying where your company is failing in the processes used across the organization is not an easy task, as it requires dispassionate examination of how you may be falling short. But visual communication tools like infographics, mind maps and process illustrations can help communicate issues to your team and get everyone moving in the right direction.

Interested in visualizing your process improvement plans and gaining buy-in from stakeholders? Start by registering for a FREE Venngage account and choose a suitable process improvement plan to customize. Our templates are professional-looking, fully customizable and really easy to edit, even if you don’t have design experience.

Process Street

Implementation Schedule Template

Identify project scope and objectives, define resources required, create a project team.

  • 1 Project Manager
  • 2 Team Lead
  • 3 Developer

Design detailed project plan

Set milestones and deadlines, approval: detailed project plan.

  • Design detailed project plan Will be submitted

Creation of work breakdown structure

Allocate tasks and responsibilities to team members, establish communication protocol.

  • 2 Microsoft Teams

Develop risk management strategy

Identify stakeholder requirements.

  • 3 Project portal
  • 5 In-person

Approval: Stakeholder Requirements

  • Identify stakeholder requirements Will be submitted

Setup project implementation environment

Commence project execution, monitor and control project progress.

  • 1 Reallocate resources
  • 2 Adjust timeline
  • 3 Seek additional support
  • 4 Re-evaluate project plan
  • 5 Address underlying issue

Approval: Project Progress

  • Monitor and control project progress Will be submitted

Resolve any issues or changes in the project plan

Issue Resolution

Carry out project closure and handover process

Project Closure and Handover

Conduct project review

  • 1 Project planning
  • 2 Communication
  • 3 Resource allocation
  • 4 Risk management
  • 5 Quality control

Approval: Project Completion and Review

  • Conduct project review Will be submitted

Take control of your workflows today.

More templates like this.

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The Business Planning Process: 6 Steps To Creating a New Plan

The Business Planning Process 6 Steps to Create a New Plan

In this article, we will define and explain the basic business planning process to help your business move in the right direction.

What is Business Planning?

Business planning is the process whereby an organization’s leaders figure out the best roadmap for growth and document their plan for success.

The business planning process includes diagnosing the company’s internal strengths and weaknesses, improving its efficiency, working out how it will compete against rival firms in the future, and setting milestones for progress so they can be measured.

The process includes writing a new business plan. What is a business plan? It is a written document that provides an outline and resources needed to achieve success. Whether you are writing your plan from scratch, from a simple business plan template , or working with an experienced business plan consultant or writer, business planning for startups, small businesses, and existing companies is the same.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

The best business planning process is to use our business plan template to streamline the creation of your plan: Download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template and finish your business plan & financial model in hours.

The Better Business Planning Process

The business plan process includes 6 steps as follows:

  • Do Your Research
  • Calculate Your Financial Forecast
  • Draft Your Plan
  • Revise & Proofread
  • Nail the Business Plan Presentation

We’ve provided more detail for each of these key business plan steps below.

1. Do Your Research

Conduct detailed research into the industry, target market, existing customer base,  competitors, and costs of the business begins the process. Consider each new step a new project that requires project planning and execution. You may ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are your business goals?
  • What is the current state of your business?
  • What are the current industry trends?
  • What is your competition doing?

There are a variety of resources needed, ranging from databases and articles to direct interviews with other entrepreneurs, potential customers, or industry experts. The information gathered during this process should be documented and organized carefully, including the source as there is a need to cite sources within your business plan.

You may also want to complete a SWOT Analysis for your own business to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential risks as this will help you develop your strategies to highlight your competitive advantage.

2. Strategize

Now, you will use the research to determine the best strategy for your business. You may choose to develop new strategies or refine existing strategies that have demonstrated success in the industry. Pulling the best practices of the industry provides a foundation, but then you should expand on the different activities that focus on your competitive advantage.

This step of the planning process may include formulating a vision for the company’s future, which can be done by conducting intensive customer interviews and understanding their motivations for purchasing goods and services of interest. Dig deeper into decisions on an appropriate marketing plan, operational processes to execute your plan, and human resources required for the first five years of the company’s life.

3. Calculate Your Financial Forecast

All of the activities you choose for your strategy come at some cost and, hopefully, lead to some revenues. Sketch out the financial situation by looking at whether you can expect revenues to cover all costs and leave room for profit in the long run.

Begin to insert your financial assumptions and startup costs into a financial model which can produce a first-year cash flow statement for you, giving you the best sense of the cash you will need on hand to fund your early operations.

A full set of financial statements provides the details about the company’s operations and performance, including its expenses and profits by accounting period (quarterly or year-to-date). Financial statements also provide a snapshot of the company’s current financial position, including its assets and liabilities.

This is one of the most valued aspects of any business plan as it provides a straightforward summary of what a company does with its money, or how it grows from initial investment to become profitable.

4. Draft Your Plan

With financials more or less settled and a strategy decided, it is time to draft through the narrative of each component of your business plan . With the background work you have completed, the drafting itself should be a relatively painless process.

If you have trouble writing convincing prose, this is a time to seek the help of an experienced business plan writer who can put together the plan from this point.

5. Revise & Proofread

Revisit the entire plan to look for any ideas or wording that may be confusing, redundant, or irrelevant to the points you are making within the plan. You may want to work with other management team members in your business who are familiar with the company’s operations or marketing plan in order to fine-tune the plan.

Finally, proofread thoroughly for spelling, grammar, and formatting, enlisting the help of others to act as additional sets of eyes. You may begin to experience burnout from working on the plan for so long and have a need to set it aside for a bit to look at it again with fresh eyes.

6. Nail the Business Plan Presentation

The presentation of the business plan should succinctly highlight the key points outlined above and include additional material that would be helpful to potential investors such as financial information, resumes of key employees, or samples of marketing materials. It can also be beneficial to provide a report on past sales or financial performance and what the business has done to bring it back into positive territory.

Business Planning Process Conclusion

Every entrepreneur dreams of the day their business becomes wildly successful.

But what does that really mean? How do you know whether your idea is worth pursuing?

And how do you stay motivated when things are not going as planned? The answers to these questions can be found in your business plan. This document helps entrepreneurs make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls along the way. ​

Business plans are dynamic documents that can be revised and presented to different audiences throughout the course of a company’s life. For example, a business may have one plan for its initial investment proposal, another which focuses more on milestones and objectives for the first several years in existence, and yet one more which is used specifically when raising funds.

Business plans are a critical first step for any company looking to attract investors or receive grant money, as they allow a new organization to better convey its potential and business goals to those able to provide financial resources.

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Click here to finish your business plan today.

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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College of Nursing

Driving change: a case study of a dnp leader in residence program in a gerontological center of excellence.

View as pdf A later version of this article appeared in Nurse Leader , Volume 21, Issue 6 , December 2023 . 

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) published the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing in 2004 identifying the essential curriculum needed for preparing advanced practice nurse leaders to effectively assess organizations, identify systemic issues, and facilitate organizational changes. 1 In 2021, AACN updated the curriculum by issuing The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education to guide the development of competency-based education for nursing students. 1 In addition to AACN’s competency-based approach to curriculum, in 2015 the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL) released Nurse Leader Core Competencies (updated in 2023) to help provide a competency based model to follow in developing nurse leaders. 2

Despite AACN and AONL competency-based curriculum and model, it is still common for nurse leaders to be promoted to management positions based solely on their work experience or exceptional clinical skills, rather than demonstration of management and leadership competencies. 3 The importance of identifying, training, and assessing executive leaders through formal leadership development programs, within supportive organizational cultures has been discussed by national leaders. As well as the need for nurturing emerging leaders through fostering interprofessional collaboration, mentorship, and continuous development of leadership skills has been identified. 4 As Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse leaders assume executive roles within healthcare organizations, they play a vital role within complex systems. Demonstration of leadership competence and participation in formal leadership development programs has become imperative for their success. However, models of competency-based executive leadership development programs can be hard to find, particularly programs outside of health care systems.

The implementation of a DNP Leader in Residence program, such as the one designed for The Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence, addresses many of the challenges facing new DNP leaders and ensures mastery of executive leadership competencies and readiness to practice through exposure to varied experiences and close mentoring. The Csomay Center , based at The University of Iowa, was established in 2000 as one of the five original Hartford Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence in the country. Later funding by the Csomay family established an endowment that supports the Center's ongoing work. The current Csomay Center strategic plan and mission aims to develop future healthcare leaders while promoting optimal aging and quality of life for older adults. The Csomay Center Director created the innovative DNP Leader in Residence program to foster the growth of future nurse leaders in non-healthcare systems. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development and implementation of the Leader in Residence program, followed by suggested evaluation strategies, and discussion of future innovation of leadership opportunities in non-traditional health care settings.

Development of the DNP Leader in Residence Program

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle has garnered substantial recognition as a valuable tool for fostering development and driving improvement initiatives. 5 The PDSA cycle can function as an independent methodology and as an integral component of broader quality enhancement approaches with notable efficacy in its ability to facilitate the rapid creation, testing, and evaluation of transformative interventions within healthcare. 6 Consequently, the PDSA cycle model was deemed fitting to guide the development and implementation of the DNP Leader in Residence Program at the Csomay Center.

PDSA Cycle: Plan

Existing resources. The DNP Health Systems: Administration/Executive Leadership Program offered by the University of Iowa is comprised of comprehensive nursing administration and leadership curriculum, led by distinguished faculty composed of national leaders in the realms of innovation, health policy, leadership, clinical education, and evidence-based practice. The curriculum is designed to cultivate the next generation of nursing executive leaders, with emphasis on personalized career planning and tailored practicum placements. The DNP Health Systems: Administration/Executive Leadership curriculum includes a range of courses focused on leadership and management with diverse topics such as policy an law, infrastructure and informatics, finance and economics, marketing and communication, quality and safety, evidence-based practice, and social determinants of health. The curriculum is complemented by an extensive practicum component and culminates in a DNP project with additional hours of practicum.

New program. The DNP Leader in Residence program at the Csomay Center is designed to encompass communication and relationship building, systems thinking, change management, transformation and innovation, knowledge of clinical principles in the community, professionalism, and business skills including financial, strategic, and human resource management. The program fully immerses students in the objectives of the DNP Health Systems: Administration/Executive Leadership curriculum and enables them to progressively demonstrate competencies outlined by AONL. The Leader in Residence program also includes career development coaching, reflective practice, and personal and professional accountability. The program is integrated throughout the entire duration of the Leader in Residence’s coursework, fulfilling the required practicum hours for both the DNP coursework and DNP project.

The DNP Leader in Residence program begins with the first semester of practicum being focused on completing an onboarding process to the Center including understanding the center's strategic plan, mission, vision, and history. Onboarding for the Leader in Residence provides access to all relevant Center information and resources and integration into the leadership team, community partnerships, and other University of Iowa College of Nursing Centers associated with the Csomay Center. During this first semester, observation and identification of the Csomay Center Director's various roles including being a leader, manager, innovator, socializer, and mentor is facilitated. In collaboration with the Center Director (a faculty position) and Center Coordinator (a staff position), specific competencies to be measured and mastered along with learning opportunities desired throughout the program are established to ensure a well-planned and thorough immersion experience.

Following the initial semester of practicum, the Leader in Residence has weekly check-ins with the Center Director and Center Coordinator to continue to identify learning opportunities and progression through executive leadership competencies to enrich the experience. The Leader in Residence also undertakes an administrative project for the Center this semester, while concurrently continuing observations of the Center Director's activities in local, regional, and national executive leadership settings. The student has ongoing participation and advancement in executive leadership roles and activities throughout the practicum, creating a well-prepared future nurse executive leader.

After completing practicum hours related to the Health Systems: Administration/Executive Leadership coursework, the Leader in Residence engages in dedicated residency hours to continue to experience domains within nursing leadership competencies like communication, professionalism, and relationship building. During residency hours, time is spent with the completion of a small quality improvement project for the Csomay Center, along with any other administrative projects identified by the Center Director and Center Coordinator. The Leader in Residence is fully integrated into the Csomay Center's Leadership Team during this phase, assisting the Center Coordinator in creating agendas and leading meetings. Additional participation includes active involvement in community engagement activities and presenting at or attending a national conference as a representative of the Csomay Center. The Leader in Residence must mentor a master’s in nursing student during the final year of the DNP Residency.

Implementation of the DNP Leader in Residence Program

PDSA Cycle: Do

Immersive experience. In this case study, the DNP Leader in Residence was fully immersed in a wide range of center activities, providing valuable opportunities to engage in administrative projects and observe executive leadership roles and skills during practicum hours spent at the Csomay Center. Throughout the program, the Leader in Residence observed and learned from multidisciplinary leaders at the national, regional, and university levels who engaged with the Center. By shadowing the Csomay Center Director, the Leader in Residence had the opportunity to observe executive leadership objectives such as fostering innovation, facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration, and nurturing meaningful relationships. The immersive experience within the center’s activities also allowed the Leader in Residence to gain a deep understanding of crucial facets such as philanthropy and community engagement. Active involvement in administrative processes such as strategic planning, budgeting, human resources management, and the development of standard operating procedures provided valuable exposure to strategies that are needed to be an effective nurse leader in the future.

Active participation. The DNP Leader in Residence also played a key role in advancing specific actions outlined in the center's strategic plan during the program including: 1) the creation of a membership structure for the Csomay Center and 2) successfully completing a state Board of Regents application for official recognition as a distinguished center. The Csomay Center sponsored membership for the Leader in Residence in the Midwest Nurse Research Society (MNRS), which opened doors to attend the annual MNRS conference and engage with regional nursing leadership, while fostering socialization, promotion of the Csomay Center and Leader in Residence program, and observation of current nursing research. Furthermore, the Leader in Residence participated in the strategic planning committee and engagement subcommittee for MNRS, collaborating directly with the MNRS president. Additional active participation by the Leader in Residence included attendance in planning sessions and completion of the annual report for GeriatricPain.org , an initiative falling under the umbrella of the Csomay Center. Finally, the Leader in Residence was involved in archiving research and curriculum for distinguished nursing leader and researcher, Dr. Kitty Buckwalter, for the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, the University of Pennsylvania Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, and the University of Iowa library archives.

Suggested Evaluation Strategies of the DNP Leader in Residence Program

PDSA Cycle: Study

Assessment and benchmarking. To effectively assess the outcomes and success of the DNP Leader in Residence Program, a comprehensive evaluation framework should be used throughout the program. Key measures should include the collection and review of executive leadership opportunities experienced, leadership roles observed, and competencies mastered. The Leader in Residence is responsible for maintaining detailed logs of their participation in center activities and initiatives on a semester basis. These logs serve to track the progression of mastery of AONL competencies by benchmarking activities and identifying areas for future growth for the Leader in Residence.

Evaluation. In addition to assessment and benchmarking, evaluations need to be completed by Csomay Center stakeholders (leadership, staff, and community partners involved) and the individual Leader in Residence both during and upon completion of the program. Feedback from stakeholders will identify the contributions made by the Leader in Residence and provide valuable insights into their growth. Self-reflection on experiences by the individual Leader in Residence throughout the program will serve as an important measure of personal successes and identify gaps in the program. Factors such as career advancement during the program, application of curriculum objectives in the workplace, and prospects for future career progression for the Leader in Residence should be considered as additional indicators of the success of the program.

The evaluation should also encompass a thorough review of the opportunities experienced during the residency, with the aim of identifying areas for potential expansion and enrichment of the DNP Leader in Residence program. By carefully examining the logs, reflecting on the acquired executive leadership competencies, and studying stakeholder evaluations, additional experiences and opportunities can be identified to further enhance the program's efficacy. The evaluation process should be utilized to identify specific executive leadership competencies that require further immersion and exploration throughout the program.

Future Innovation of DNP Leader in Residence Programs in Non-traditional Healthcare Settings

PDSA Cycle: Act

As subsequent residents complete the program and their experiences are thoroughly evaluated, it is essential to identify new opportunities for DNP Leader in Residence programs to be implemented in other non-health care system settings. When feasible, expansion into clinical healthcare settings, including long-term care and acute care environments, should be pursued. By leveraging the insights gained from previous Leaders in Residence and their respective experiences, the program can be refined to better align with desired outcomes and competencies. These expansions will broaden the scope and impact of the program and provide a wider array of experiences and challenges for future Leaders in Residency to navigate, enriching their development as dynamic nurse executive leaders within diverse healthcare landscapes.

This case study presented a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of the DNP Leader in Residence program developed by the Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence. The Leader in Residence program provided a transformative experience by integrating key curriculum objectives, competency-based learning, and mentorship by esteemed nursing leaders and researchers through successful integration into the Center. With ongoing innovation and application of the PDSA cycle, the DNP Leader in Residence program presented in this case study holds immense potential to help better prepare 21 st century nurse leaders capable of driving positive change within complex healthcare systems.

Acknowledgements

         The author would like to express gratitude to the Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence for the fostering environment to provide an immersion experience and the ongoing support for development of the DNP Leader in Residence program. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The essentials: core competencies for professional nursing education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf . Accessed June 26, 2023.
  • American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Nurse leader core competencies. https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies . Accessed July 10, 2023.
  • Warshawsky, N, Cramer, E. Describing nurse manager role preparation and competency: findings from a national study. J Nurs Adm . 2019;49(5):249-255. DOI:  10.1097/NNA.0000000000000746
  • Van Diggel, C, Burgess, A, Roberts, C, Mellis, C. Leadership in healthcare education. BMC Med. Educ . 2020;20(465). doi: 10.1186/s12909-020-02288-x
  • Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) worksheet. https://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/PlanDoStudyActWorksheet.aspx . Accessed July 4, 2023.
  • Taylor, M, McNicolas, C, Nicolay, C, Darzi, A, Bell, D, Reed, J. Systemic review of the application of the plan-do-study-act method to improve quality in healthcare. BMJ Quality & Safety. 2014:23:290-298. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002703

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IMAGES

  1. Implementation Plan

    business process implementation plan

  2. Process Implementation Plan Template

    business process implementation plan

  3. 43 Step-by-Step Implementation Plan Templates ᐅ TemplateLab

    business process implementation plan

  4. 10-Step Business Process Management (BPM) Implementation Checklist for 2024

    business process implementation plan

  5. 43 Step-by-Step Implementation Plan Templates ᐅ TemplateLab

    business process implementation plan

  6. 43 Step-by-Step Implementation Plan Templates ᐅ TemplateLab

    business process implementation plan

VIDEO

  1. Business process steps part 1

  2. Business process steps part 4

  3. existing business process part 1

  4. Corporate planning process

  5. Business Planning: Stages in Planning and Managing an Enterprise

  6. existing business process part 3

COMMENTS

  1. What is an implementation plan? 6 steps to create one

    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.

  2. A Manager's Guide to Successful Strategy Implementation

    According to the online course Strategy Execution, strategy implementation is the process of turning plans into action to reach business goals and objectives. In other words, it's the art of getting stuff done. Your organization's success rests on your ability to implement decisions and execute processes efficiently, effectively, and consistently.

  3. Process Implementation: A Quick Guide

    Process implementation is a strategic approach to adopting new procedures or business processes in an organization. A business implements change when it wants to streamline tasks, become more efficient, reduce the number of errors or drive business growth.

  4. How to Develop a Business Process in 8 Steps

    Creating a high-quality, valuable business process takes time and effort to plan, develop and implement. Setting the structured sequences of activities, tasks, actions and steps performed by team members of successful business processes can be challenging.

  5. How to Create an Implementation Plan

    A strategic implementation plan (SIP) is the document that you use to define your implementation strategy. Typically, it outlines the resources, assumptions, short- and long-term outcomes, roles and responsibilities, and budget. (Later on, we'll show you how to create one.)

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

    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. Get your free Implementation Plan Template

  7. What Is Implementation Planning? And How to Write Your Plan

    Implementation planning is a process in project management that entails creating step-by-step instructions for completing projects. The purpose of this process is to inform members of a project team of the concrete actions and individual tasks required to achieve the team's strategic goals. What is an implementation plan?

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

    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.

  9. The Ultimate Guide to Implementation Plans

    A project implementation plan (also called a strategic plan) is a combination of strategy, process, and action. It outlines the steps a team will use to achieve a shared objective. An implementation plan covers all aspects of a project, including the budget, timeline, and personnel. The perfect project plan includes: Objectives, requirements

  10. What is an Implementation Plan? [& How to Do Yours Right]

    An implementation plan is a step-by-step list of tasks — all with specific owners and deadlines — designed to outline and guide a strategic plan for carrying out a project. It keeps a project's timeline, stakeholder responsibilities, team dynamics, and resource allocation clear through the implementation process.

  11. Free Implementation Plan Template to Achieve Business Goals ...

    An implementation plan is a step-by-step guide that outlines all the steps or actions you and your team need to take to accomplish a business goal —an idea with an achievable result or outcome. These plans help you determine the what and how of your goal so you can break it down into actionable, achievable steps.

  12. How to Create a BPM Implementation Project Plan

    The key BPM implementation steps in this phase will be: Setting a clear scope, vision, and strategy Stakeholder Buy-in Documenting the Current Processes Developing a To-Be process Model Preparation of User Requirements. Evaluation and Selection of Software Solutions. Building a Business Process Team and Organization Structure

  13. Implementation plan: What to include and 5 essential steps

    Implementation plans outline the project's goals, scope, and purpose, as well as listing the resources (including team members) necessary for a successful project. Project implementation plans are sometimes called "strategic plans" because they lay out the strategy proposed for a project.

  14. What is an implementation plan?

    An implementation plan is essentially a detailed, step-by-step recipe for completing a project, process, or business objective. It outlines specific steps and who's responsible for them. It goes beyond deliverables like in a work breakdown structure (WBS) and dives deeper than strategic objectives, scope, and milestones like in a product ...

  15. Free Implementation Plan Templates & Examples

    Excel | Google Sheets Download a Blank Software Implementation Plan Template for Excel | Google Sheets Steer your software deployment with precision using our comprehensive software implementation plan template, complete with an illustrative Gantt chart timeline.

  16. How to Implement Business Process Improvement

    Productivity How to Implement Business Process Improvement by Peter Landau | Apr 5, 2018 Technology, labor, distribution and consumer demographics have all massively changed just in the last few years. As such, business processes need to be constantly evolving to adapt and bring satisfaction to the customer as efficiently as possible.

  17. Process Implementation: A Strategic Guide to create one

    Table of Contents What is Process Implementation? First, what is process implementation? It's when businesses proactively adopt new and improved processes to streamline operations, from conception of the process to execution, evaluation, and adoption.

  18. What Is Strategy Implementation? 6 Key Steps [2022] • Asana

    Summary Strategy implementation is the process of turning your strategic plan into action. Whether you're executing a new marketing plan to increase sales or introducing a new work management software to increase efficiency—your plan is only as valuable as the implementation.

  19. What is process implementation?

    Business process implementation is the time to put your improved or reengineered process into practice. Implementation is an ongoing task that requires careful planning and enough time to ensure process actors are well-trained, informed, and happy with the proposed changes. Implementing new processes can bring numerous benefits to a business.

  20. How to Create a Process Improvement Plan

    A well-crafted process improvement plan should provide specific and practical recommendations that are applicable across various functions and departments within your organization, allowing for widespread implementation and consistent benefits across the business. By adopting a process improvement plan, companies can proactively drive positive ...

  21. What Is Business Implementation? Definition and Tips

    Business implementations, also called a business implementation plan, is a set of steps that companies use to determine how to implement a strategic plan within company activities to achieve one or more business plan objectives.

  22. PDF Implementation Plan Template and Examples

    The Implementation Plan Template is designed to guide implementation teams in developing a plan for implementation across the four stages: exploration, installation, initial implementation and full implementation.

  23. Implementation Schedule Template

    Project implementation often involves unforeseen issues and changes that need to be addressed promptly. Establish a process for identifying, documenting, and resolving any issues or changes in the project plan. Encourage team members to report concerns or suggestions and implement a collaborative approach to finding effective solutions.

  24. The Business Planning Process: Steps To Creating Your Plan

    The Better Business Planning Process. The business plan process includes 6 steps as follows: Do Your Research. Strategize. Calculate Your Financial Forecast. Draft Your Plan. Revise & Proofread. Nail the Business Plan Presentation. We've provided more detail for each of these key business plan steps below.

  25. Driving change: a case study of a DNP leader in residence program in a

    The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development and implementation of the Leader in Residence program, followed by suggested evaluation strategies, and discussion of future innovation of leadership opportunities in non-traditional health care settings.Development of the DNP Leader in Residence ProgramThe Plan-Do-Study ...