Project Execution

1. Initiation—2. Planning—3. Execution—4. Closing

             5.Monitoring and Controlling

That kickoff meeting is the launch party for the project. The decision makers already decided to initiate, the design and the bill of materials are accepted and it is go time.

In the words of Captain Picard “Make it so!”

Engage execution phase.

Now that the design is done the PM creates the preliminary project plan and schedule.

That project plan isn’t DONE done though. The project team has to meet to review everything. That’s the kickoff. Well, there are two kickoffs, the internal kickoff with the in-house team and the customer kickoff. Those two sets of people have different perspectives. The PM must collect and prioritize that information.

The PM can create the preliminary timeline. That timeline has a kick to it, and I have to hang on for dear life. I review it and all the milestones on the recurring project meetings. We can get all the right people scheduled and committed to their part. Electricians, carpenters, programming, CAD …what else is needed on this project? Get that resource scheduled as early as possible.

When all resources are committed, with the system equipment in hand and the locations reserved, we have the technical kickoff.   This is the install team getting ready to install and commission the system.  To quote my handbook: “All the planning, meetings and conversation have led to this execution window—I don’t want to squander a minute of it.”

All the information, all the coordination passes through the PM. Questions, updates, decisions come through the PM. Things are supposed to go fast and furious. It will get done and that project get signed. I’ll talk about the monitoring and control next week.