|
The Project Execution process group is where the necessary work is performed to accomplish the project objectives as defined during Project Planning. As the Project Manager/Lead, your activities during this time primarily involve coordinating and integrating activities and resources.
|
| Entry Criteria: |
Project Execution begins after the Project Planning process group is complete and the project team is ready to start the work required to develop the project deliverables. |
| Purpose: |
The goal of Project Execution is to execute the project management plan using problem solving, negotiating, conflict management, coordination, integration, and other general management skills that will help the project team accomplish the work defined for the project.
|
| Responsibilites: |
The Project Manager/Lead is responsible for coordinating and integrating the activities being performed by the project team to meet the project objectives. This person also ensures that these activities are done within the guidelines that have been defined for this project (e.g., change management, communication).
|
| Exit Criteria: |
Project Execution is complete when the project team has completed all of the project deliverables and has met all of the milestones identified in the WBS for the project. |
Project Execution is one of the less linear process groups, from a project management perspective. In Project Execution, the “steps” are more apt to be “activities,” which will overlap and could happen in any order. In our environment, these activities will typically include the following:
- Track the progress of the project team in completing the tasks defined in the WBS.
- Collect and communicate project status as defined in the Communication Plan established in the Project Planning process group.
- Follow change management guidelines as defined in the Project Planning process group.
- Watch for and address additional risks that may affect the project management plan.
- Update the WBS as tasks are completed. Also, adjust estimates and incorporate approved changes, as needed.
As a Project Manager/Lead, you will also want to remain open to other activities that might be required of you during this time. It is in this process group that your general management skills may be exercised the most. Because we can give you no one “correct,” linear path through this process, it might be helpful to refer to the PMBOK® Guide for some additional thoughts.
The inclusion of the following list from the PMBOK® Guide is intended only to give you a better idea of what types of activities might be expected of a Project Manager/Lead during Project Execution. These activities may or may not apply to your project:
| "
|
- Perform activities to accomplish project objectives.
- Expend effort and spend funds to accomplish the project objectives.
- Staff, train, and manage the project team members assigned to the project.
- Obtain quotations, bids, offers, or proposals as appropriate.
- Select sellers by choosing from among potential sellers.
- Obtain, manage, and use resources including materials, tools, equipment, and facilities.
- Implement the planned methods and standards.
- Create, control, verify, and validate project deliverables.
- Manage risks and implement risk response activities.
- Manage sellers [in our environment, this could include managing contractual obligations with our vendors, as required by a project].
- Adapt approved changes into the project’s scope, plans, and environment.
- Establish and manage project communication channels, both external and internal to the project team.
- Collect project data and report cost, schedule, technical and quality progress, and status information to facilitate forecasting.
- Collect and document lessons learned, and implement approved process improvement activities.
|
" |
Updated Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): |
The WBS was created in the Project Planning process group. Throughout Project Execution, the WBS is the primary tool used when tracking and reporting progress. For this reason, it is important that the WBS remain up-to-date throughout the duration of the project. |
|
Who is responsible? The Project Manager/Lead is responsible for updating the WBS as tasks are completed, added, and adjusted.
When is this started? It’s possible that WBS updates will begin as soon as the initial WBS is complete.
Where do I begin? Follow the same guidelines for updating the WBS that you followed to create it. |
| Project Reports: |
When you developed your Communications Plan during the Project Planning process group, you determined how information about the project would be reported. Throughout Project Execution, these reports (e.g., progress, status, statistical) are created and distributed as specified in your Communication Plan. |
|
Who is responsible? The Project Manager/Lead ensures that project reports are created and distributed throughout the project as described in the Communication Plan. In addition, the Project Manager/Lead and other members of the project team are responsible for writing and submitting these reports.
When is this started? The timing of these reports is specified in the Communication Plan.
Where do I begin? Your Communication Plan provides details on your project status and other reports. These reports include information within the scope of your responsibilities and to the level of detail needed by your intended audience. For example, your report to management might include:
- Overall schedule status (e.g., ahead, on, or behind schedule). Baseline versus actual dates and hours might also be included.
- Work that was completed during the reporting period.
- Work that was scheduled for completion but was not completed.
- Recommendations for addressing tasks that are behind schedule, as appropriate.
- Issues.
- Activities scheduled for the next reporting period.
|
Initiation | Planning | Execution | Monitoring/Control | Closure
Welcome Page
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), Third Edition (Newton Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute, 2004), Page 91.
|
... leading the way