20 Aug 2020
3 MINS READ
Bridging the gap between planning and execution is an age-old challenge in any project. Planning is never linear, there are a large number of variables and uncertainties involved in it that make execution even more difficult. There’s an old saying, “It’s easier said than done”. While making a project plan, a Transition Manager takes into consideration realistic estimates for duration, resource requirement and costs of each of the activities keeping in mind the end goals of the project. In spite of meticulous and rigorous planning, there is a huge difference between making a project plan and delivering the project as per the agreed plan.
A project plan gets life when execution of the project starts. This is the phase where the science of project management is transformed into art.
A project goes through multiple phases to be successfully executed. Proactively identifying project risks, working with multiple stakeholders to put mitigations into place and resolving the challenges observed during execution phase leads to project success.
The Transition Manager should foresee the potential roadblocks that will impact the timeline, cost and quality of project execution and resolve the same to ensure project success. The key is to understand how these gaps affect a project lifecycle and prepare the strategy accordingly.
Listed below are some strategies that can help bridge the gap between Planning and Execution phases of any project:
Begin with the end in mind:
Start with a clear understanding of the goal. What is the end objective of any project? Successful go live with minimal disruption
At Hexaware, Transition framework enables the Transition Manager to understand client expectations at the onset and plan keeping in mind the end outcome. The Transition Manager should always focus time and energy on things that can be controlled. This strategy allows clarity on defined goals and objectives and helps monitor critical activities.
Engagement and accountability:
Before planning can even begin, it is vital to engage the key stakeholders and the core project team for end-to-end project planning and execution. Communication plays a significant role in ensuring all the key members are clear on their roles and responsibilities for the project along with the timelines and deliverables expected of them. This ensures that the project team is aware of the overall project deliverables and their role in the project. This also ensures that the project team members are in control of the tasks to be executed.
At Hexaware, project team is engaged and committed to deliver required outcomes. Robust RACI mechanism is followed to ensure 100% contribution by each member basis their domain and functional expertise. Regular and robust review mechanism enables timely completion of the tasks assigned to relevant stakeholders ensuring there are no slippages in the project. The RACI matrix develops awareness amongst the project team members and regular reviews encourage effective participation and collaboration.
Transparency and communication are cornerstones in plan execution. If everyone can see their piece of contribution and how it fits into the larger project deliverable, they will be more likely to complete the actions they’ve been assigned in a timely manner and as per the required quality standards.
Effective Business Change Request Management
Change Management is the method by which any changes to the project (e.g. scope, deliverables, team structure, SLAs/KPIs, timescales and costs) are formally defined, evaluated and approved prior to implementation. The process entails completing a variety of control procedures to ensure that, if implemented, the change will cause minimal impact to the objectives of the project.
Effective Change Management ensures that all change activities are well planned and measured such that the project team is provided with the right amount of leadership, guidance, tools and ownership at the right time. The success of any project relies on people and their acceptance to change.
Robust Governance model
A robust governance approach followed during the transition through a synchronized rhythm of meetings and reporting, helps maintain complete transparency and ensures that all the key stakeholders are kept informed of project progress and any risks/ issues in the project. Regular multi-layered governance meetings ensure that decisions are taken swiftly in the right forum to support any risk mitigation.
Transition Manager should outline key activities to be covered during governance meetings basis the project’s scope, timeline, complexity, risk, stakeholders and importance.
Activities include, weekly internal and external governance calls, steering committee meetings, open forums to raise issues, find resolution, detailed communication and escalation matrix.
Be Open and Flexible:
Change is inevitable, but still, acceptance is difficult.
Taking cognizance of the recent events and the need to adjust to the new normal, Hexaware has already adopted a Touchless transition approach and a Work from Home setup.
A Transition Manager will face different types of projects, thus the Transition Manager should be open to changes in business environment impacting the plan and should be able to blend in every project. Being adaptive and able to course correct their projects are some of the qualities that a Transition Manager must have.
Conclusion:
A famous Project Auditor, Joy Gumz has stated, “Operations keeps the lights on, strategy provides a light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train-engine that moves the organization forward.
About the Author
14+ years of experience in the service industry with BPO Operations and Transition. Successfully transitioned over 30 projects in Customer Service, Customer Retention & Sales in the Voice & Non-Voice space and across various verticals/domains such as BFSI, Telecom, E-commerce, Government and Emerging markets.
Business Process Services
08 Mar 2021
09 Dec 2020
24 Nov 2020
23 Sep 2020
21 Sep 2020
15 Sep 2020
09 Sep 2020
07 Sep 2020
10 Jul 2020
19 May 2020
06 May 2020
20 Apr 2020
Business Process Services, Healthcare
21 Oct 2019
30 Jul 2019
31 May 2019
25 Dec 2018
Business Process Services, Insurance
01 Nov 2018
24 Oct 2018
11 Oct 2018
03 Oct 2018
25 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018
29 Aug 2018
28 Aug 2018
18 Jun 2018
22 Mar 2018
25 Jan 2018
25 Apr 2017
BI & Analytics
19 Mar 2009
26 Nov 2010
Digital Assurance
02 Jan 2012
17 Feb 2012
Infrastructure Mgmt. Services
02 Mar 2012
03 Jan 2013
04 Feb 2013
06 Feb 2013
Digital Assurance, Enterprise Solutions
14 Feb 2013
18 Feb 2013
21 Feb 2013
27 Feb 2013
Others
01 Mar 2013
04 Mar 2013
Enterprise Solutions
05 Mar 2013
18 Mar 2013
Digital Assurance, Enterprise Solutions, Others
22 Mar 2013
12 Apr 2013
26 Apr 2013
29 Apr 2013
13 May 2013
11 Jun 2013
17 Jun 2013
25 Jun 2013
19 Aug 2013
26 Aug 2013
27 Aug 2013
03 Sep 2013
10 Sep 2013
19 Sep 2013
24 Sep 2013
26 Sep 2013
30 Sep 2013
01 Oct 2013
03 Oct 2013
01 Nov 2013
19 Nov 2013
Enterprise Solutions, Manufacturing and Consumer
28 Nov 2013
03 Dec 2013
20 Dec 2013
03 Jan 2014
22 Jan 2014
27 Jan 2014
31 Jan 2014
12 Feb 2014
13 Feb 2014
20 Mar 2014
24 Mar 2014
17 Apr 2014
11 Jun 2014
Manufacturing and Consumer
26 Jun 2014
30 Jun 2014
10 Jul 2014
15 Jul 2014
16 Jul 2014
18 Jul 2014
28 Oct 2014
13 Jul 2015
06 Aug 2015
26 Aug 2015
28 Sep 2015
07 Oct 2015
26 Oct 2015
07 Mar 2016
22 Mar 2016
13 May 2016
23 May 2016
Application Transformation Mgmt.
11 Jul 2016
25 Aug 2016
03 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016
15 Nov 2016
22 Nov 2016
25 Nov 2016
Banking and Financial Services
18 May 2017
30 May 2017
23 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017
18 Jul 2017
26 Oct 2017
Healthcare, Insurance
28 Nov 2017
11 Dec 2017
21 Feb 2018
14 Mar 2018
( Mandatory field * )
The information you provide will be used in accordance with our terms ofPrivacy Policy
Please Check on "I Agree" to register for the blog.