Once a project moves into the execution phase, the project team and all necessary resources to carry out the project should be in place and ready to perform project activities. The project plan is completed and baselined by this time as well. The project team’s and specifically the Project Manager’s focus now shifts from planning the project efforts to participating in, observing, and analyzing the work being done.

The execution phase is when the work activities of the project plan are executed, resulting in the completion of the project deliverables and achievement of the project objective(s). This phase brings together all of the project management disciplines, resulting in a product or service that will meet the project deliverable requirements and the customers need. During this phase, elements completed in the planning phase are implemented, time is expended, and money is spent.

This phase requires the Project Manager and project team to:

▲    Conduct, coordinate and manage the ongoing work activities

▲    Perform quality assurance activities continuously to ensure project objectives are being met or achieved

▲    Monitor identified risks for triggering events and implement containment or contingency strategies as necessary

▲    Manage change.

In short, it means coordinating and managing the project resources while executing the project plan, performing the planned project activities, and ensuring they are completed efficiently.

The execution phase is when the project’s deliverables are produced and the objectives are met. This phase entails the completion of the work activities, the expenditure of resources, and the application of the quality assurance processes to ensure that the end product(s) is viable and meets customer requirements.

Several supporting processes are part of this phase. They may include:

▲    Team development

▲    Solicitation

▲    Source selection

▲    Contract administration