This document provides an overview of project implementation. It discusses that project implementation involves putting the project proposal into action by converting project inputs into outputs. The key phases of implementation are project activation, which makes arrangements to start the project, and project operation, which transforms inputs into outputs. Implementation is usually led by an implementing agency, and other supporting organizations are considered cooperating agencies. An important part of implementation is developing a project implementation plan that outlines the schedule, organizational structure, financial management, reporting, and sustainability. Factors like political commitment, community involvement, and good management can influence whether a project is successfully implemented or not.

1. Dr. Saima Baig
Asst. Professor
Social Sciences
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Project
Implementation/Execution
Management

2. Project Implementation
 Process whereby “project inputs are converted to project outputs”. May
be looked at as:
Putting in action the activities of the
project.
Putting into practice what was proposed in
the project document (i.e. transforming the
project proposal into the actual project.)
Management of the project or executing the
project intentions.
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3. Project Implementation
(cont.)
Implementation usually done by implementing
agency (organization) that prepared the project
and received funding for it.
Other organizations that participate in the
implementation of the project
by way of collaboration, say by according good
working relationship, extending technical advice or
seconding their staff to the project
are referred to as co-operating agencies.
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4. Project Implementation
phase involves:
 Project activation, and
 Project operation
Project activation
 This means making arrangements to have the
project started. It involves coordination and
allocation of resources to make project
operational.
Project operation
 This is practical management of a project. Here,
project inputs are transformed into outputs to
achieve immediate objectives.
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5. Project operation and
maintenance
Operation and maintenance
 To attain value and maximum returns, the
district/municipality or the beneficiaries
organize for the facility to have the project
properly managed and maintained regularly.
 An operation and maintenance manual is
prepared by the contractor and handed to the
district / beneficiaries.
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6. Approaches to project
implementation
Top-down approach
 Implementation mainly done by agencies from
outside the community with limited involvement by
the beneficiaries.
Bottom-up approach
 Beneficiaries implement the project. Outside
agencies may provide the financial resources and
technical assistance.
Collaborative participatory approach
 Both top-down and bottom-up approaches to project
implementation are applied in the process.
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7. Project implementation plan
(PIP)
 If PIP not carried out during the project design process and
embodied in the project documents, it is carried out at the
project activation stage.
 This is Similar to a Work plan / Action Plan or a Gantt. Chart.
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8. Project implementation plan
includes:
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a) The project implementation schedule
This is concerned with:
What activities can produce expected
project outputs?
What is the sequence of these activities?
What is the time frame for these
activities?
Who will be responsible for carrying out
each activity?

9. Project implementation plan
includes:
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 The following methods may be used to answer the above questions:
 Gantt chart
 Critical Path Method (CPM) or Net work analysis
 Project Evaluation and Review Techniques
(PERT)
 Simple formats

10. What is a GANTT Chart?
 The Gantt chart is also referred to as the progress chart/ A tabulated
Action Plan/ Work plan showing Tasks to achieve and timelines.
 It is a chart showing the timing of project activities using horizontal bars.
 It is one of the techniques of project scheduling, which depicts the
frequency of activities and determines the period of time for
implementation.
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11. The Simple Format
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ACTIVITY STARTING
DATE
ENDING
DATE
COST RESPONSIBLE
PERSON
REMARKS
- Preparing seed bed
- Planning
- Weeding
- Harvesting
- Storage
- Threshing
- Marketing

12. Project implementation plan
(cont.)
d) Organizational structure and staffing
Here the following are sought:
 Project structure for purposes of management
 Qualifications and skills for the staff
 Job descriptions and specifications for the staff
 Technical assistance if needed
e) Financial management
This looks at funds management, accounting
period, financial reports and statements and how
often they will be made?
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13. Project implementation plan
(cont.)
f) Reporting system
This looks at who will be reporting to whom and how
often. There is need to design standard reporting
formats.
g) Sustainability
The concept of sustainability is based on belief that
project should result in benefits that have lasting
effect. Project should be sustained beyond the life of
funding - especially if it is a grant.
Project should not exhaust the available resources like
raw materials and labor.
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14. Project implementation plan
(cont.)
Time control and remedial action
Time taken to implement project activities is
one measure of successfulness of supervision or
monitoring of project implementation.
Supervisor pays particular attention to time
control measures, time scheduling and its
supervision, time extension and postponement,
damages for non-completion and defect or
warranty period.
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15. Project implementation plan
(cont.)
Supervision of implementation of project schedule
This involves a set of checks and balances to
ensure that the schedule is being adhered to.
To ensure that the time schedule is being
adhered to, the project activity time listing can
be of great importance.
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16. Factors affecting project
implementation
 Factors that lead to
success of projects
 Political Commitment
 Simplicity of Design
 Careful preparation
 Good management
 Involvement of
beneficiaries/communit
y
 Factors and problems
that lead to failure of
projects
 Financial Problems
 Management problems
 Technical problems
 Political problems
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17. Factors affecting project
implementationOther typical implementation problems
 Poor scheduling of projects leading to delays in
 Poor scheduling of projects leading to delays in
implementation.
 Misallocation of funds
 Delay and sometimes lack of counterpart funding
 Lack of accountability and transparency
 Bureaucracy in decision-making.
 Selfishness/nepotism/favoritism by some project
managers.
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18. Factors affecting project
implementationOther typical implementation problems (cont.)
 Weak monitoring systems
 Natural calamities like drought, earthquakes,
landslides, and hailstorms.
 Policy changes
 Migration of beneficiaries
 Lack of team work
 Lack of incentives for implementers.
 etc
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19. Characteristics of a good project
manager
A good project manager should:
 have working knowledge in several fields
 be able to understand general managerial problems
 have active interest in training and developing subordinates
 be able to delegate some tasks to subordinates
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20. Characteristics of a good project
manager (cont.)
A good project manager should:
 know the project and understand its objectives
 know the systematic process for managing projects
 be able to answer the following questions:
What is the project for?
Why is it required?
Whom does it serve?
How is it justified?
How is it going to be used?
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21. Thanks
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