Implementation follows the steps and deadlines set in the phase of planning. For instance, if your plan says that by the end of the first month the training manual should be completed, you have to make sure that the person or group in charge of the training manual are progressing their work in a successful way to meet the end of the month deadline. The person in charge of monitoring the implementation of the project should be the project manager (or coordinator). The project manager is responsible for coordinating all the activities in the group and also to set up meetings with the various members of the organisation to check on their partial results and progress.
The most important part of the implementation phase is to measure your performance, which is done according to the monitoring methodology you have described in your project proposal. Accordingly, it is crucial to understand what monitoring entails to present a sound methodology in your project proposal. Broadly, by monitoring we mean the ways in which you assess the development of the project by highlighting whether the planned and the actual work, costs, and time schedule match (if they do not, take note on the impediments and unforeseen events that changed your plans).
Monitoring is crucial because:
- It allows member of staff to gather data concerning the timely achievement of milestones as set in your project planning
- It allows members of staff to implement additional strategies when unforeseen difficulties are faced. For instance, if you realise that your project is not meeting its targets and you understand why this is happening, you could decide on rectifying a number of activities in order to ensure that the project as a whole will deliver the final outcomes. If the allocated budget for one activity results insufficient for the development of this activity as planned, you could either shorten this activity or raise more money to accomplish your task as planned.
- It makes members of staff aware of what was well planned and what was not well planned in order to gain practical knowledge that will guide the writing of new future projects strategically.
- It allows donors to understand how their money has been spent and to evaluate the success of the project as a whole. Also, it allows donors to intervene when difficulties arise and to further help the organisation in rectifying its plans to achieve the final goal.
- It provides information that will help you engaging with the participants in the project. For instance, you could begin a participatory strategy to discuss how their expectations have been met (and if not to understand why and what to do next)
- It encourages a productive dialogue between the project managerial team and the target group to better understand what could have been done differently to inspire future projects and collaborations.
