Step 5: Implement

Plans are only as good as their execution. Step 5 tracks implementation with milestone trackers, task checklists, and regular check-ins. The team surfaces blockers early, escalates risks proactively, and celebrates progress along the way. Change management, communication plans, and pilot testing all happen here. Deviations from the plan are documented — they become input for Step 6.

Key Questions This Step Answers

• Are blockers being surfaced early, or are they surprises at milestone reviews?
• Is the team celebrating progress, or does it feel like an endless grind?
• Are stakeholders informed proactively, or do they hear about changes after the fact?
• Are we documenting deviations from the plan for the evaluation phase?

Guiding Questions

• Are all tasks assigned and understood by their owners?
• What milestones have been reached?
• Are there any blockers or risks that need escalation?
• Is the team on track with the planned timeline?

Tools Used in This Step

Tips

• •Hold brief weekly stand-ups to surface blockers early
• •Track progress visually — use the ticket board so the whole team sees status
• •Communicate changes to stakeholders proactively, not reactively
• •Celebrate milestone completions to maintain team momentum

Best Practices

• ✓Use a change management checklist: communications sent, training completed, documentation updated
• ✓Establish an escalation path for blockers before they occur
• ✓Run a pilot with a small group before full rollout to catch issues early
• ✓Document deviations from the plan and the reasons — this feeds Step 6 lessons learned
• ✓Keep a risk register and review it at each check-in to catch emerging risks

Completion Criteria

Before moving to the next step, ensure these criteria are met:

• All planned milestones have been completed or accounted for
• Implementation tasks are done or documented as deferred
• Issues and blockers have been resolved or escalated