Implementation

Implementing your planned changes

Making it happen and completing the task!

Implementing changes can require quite a lot of work, especially on a large or complicated project – you know where you are starting from, you know where you want to get to, now all you need to do is get there!
It is wise to have a plan for what you want to do and to have prepared as much as you can before you start.

This page looks at implementing the changes based on the plans and preparation, they include some tips to help you complete the stage. For notes on planning and preparation please return to: Chaos main menu

Implementation – Putting the changes into practice

Once you have your plans in place and preparations made to begin the task, then it is time to start the changes and finish the project. Below is a guide to the stages of implementation – followed by some general tips to help supplement the stages listed below

1) Identifying the first task (Begin at the beginning)

From the preparation stage you should have identified any dependencies between the tasks, whether as a sequential order or because of its reliance on another task being completed before it can be started. Using this information, identify the activities that can be started with no pre-action requirements and select one to do. If other people are involved then they can select from something else on the list.

Tips

• Highlight all of the tasks that can be started independently, this will give you a quick reference list that you can refer to when you are looking for a new task to start – saving you time by not having to work through the list again.
• If a task you are working on suddenly requires something that is not available, then you could either look at what it is that you are waiting for and switch to doing that, or if that is not possible then switch to a new task whilst they are waiting for it to become available

2) Tracking the implementation       

As each task is completed then indicate that the task is completed, either on the task list or by removing it to another ‘task completed’ list. Two further actions come from this completion:

• A check to see what tasks follow on from it
• A check to see if a different task was waiting for its completion.

If another task can now be started due to its completion then make a note to that effect so that you, or others, can choose the task when considering what to do next. Likewise if a task was waiting for the completion of this task then make a note against that task to indicate that it can be restarted.

3) Completing the implementation      

Once you have finished implementing all of the activities, this specific project should now be complete and a note of its completion should be made. This may require a form to be filled in, someone to be informed or just simply a loud cheer! – I would always recommend a cheer of some sort if only within yourself – you have completed it after all!

Considerations at this time include:

• Does this completion have an impact on some other activity or person? If it does then they will need to be informed.
• Are there any post-completion actions to be performed, such as writing a report, archiving the information, giving a presentation or washing up the cups?
• Have you learnt any important lessons, good or bad, from doing this? If you have then consider writing a ‘Lesson learnt’ document so others can learn from them or you can refer to them at a later date

Remember to include rest periods from the thinking as well as the doing. 

Take time to reflect on what you have currently achieved in the project (and celebrate it), what you are currently doing and what still needs to be done

Summary:

You should now have completed your changes!

Post implementation – keeping it tidy!      

Now that you have it set up just the way you want it, you will need to ensure that it is kept that way, or at least stay tidy if changes are made to it. In the latter case of changes being made to it, some form of ‘change control’ or ‘configuration management’ should be introduced.
An introduction and general overview of post-implementation can be found in Change Control.

General tips

If you are unable to progress a task
If you find you have reached a moment when you cannot take a task any further, then make a note of the stage you are at with the task and what it is you require for you to complete the task. Put the task to one side and continual with one that you can progress.

Do not change tasks mid-way without a good reason
Once a task is started then do not get distracted onto another task. If the present task requires a lot of thought put into it then avoid distraction from other people as well.
However it is permissible to change to another task if you can justify it to yourself. Such reasons could include doing a less intense task for a while to take a ‘rest’ from the original intensive task (be gentle with yourself).

If you are running out of time
As soon as you realise that you do not have enough time then you will need to turn your thoughts on how you can finish the current session in a suitable state so that it is easy to pick up and carry on with when you next have time to work on it. Make a note of the current stage you are at and from that identify where would be a good place to reach before the session concludes.
If you have more than one task on the go or more than one person helping out, you will need to establish where they are on their task and identify suitable stopping points for each task.

Tip: you may find that some of the tasks will be completed within the short time remaining. If someone was working on such a task then, once completed, they may find they still have time to see if they can help on another task.
The types of support they could provide could include:

• Assisting someone on another task
• Making detailed notes on what stage other tasks will be stopping at
• Identity and list what tasks need to be started when work is restarted – which may not necessarily be the same as where tasks were stopped, the break from it may cause higher priority tasks to appear and be completed before you can pick up the others

If you are encountering too many problems
Take a complete rest away from the task for a short while, this must include resting the mind. Once the rest is over then it is time to do some Thinking with pen and paper. Start by doing a quick review of what has been completed, where you are at the moment and what you think should be happening (a ‘bullet point’ list is a good method to use). Review what you have listed and see if you can find a way to achieve the objective. If this does not produce a solution then you will need to take the task back to an earlier stage, or consult with other people

 Jenny Maryl ~  Inspiring the Imagination ~ Contact Me