Put your plan into practice

Implementation is basically following your plan and incorporating any lessons you have learned so far.

While the program is running, support your team members so that they keep on track. They will go through a range of emotions if this is a totally new experience them, so they might appreciate some encouragement and coaching.

Make sure you keep communicating with your staff at an operational level. For example, you will need to inform them of such things as:

• schedules and deadlines
• policies and procedures
• resources and financial management
• staffing guidelines and limits
• record-keeping requirements
• communication and reporting
• delegation, and
• financial procedures.

And monitor the effectiveness of your policies and procedures. In a new program, you will probably need to educate staff about the policies and procedures, which probably won't work as well as envisaged if they are completely new. You might need to implement modifications. Keep an eye on the budget and your cash-flow. You will probably face the pressure of lacking funds when you most need them.