Project Implementation Profile: a tool to aid project tracking and control

Many examples exist of project management tools used for tracking the 'harder' technical aspects of projects throughout their development and implementation. While there are great advantages to the use of these techniques, they have some potential drawbacks for project managers as well. The Project Implementation Profile (PIP) was developed with two purposes in mind. First, it allows the project manager to assess the 'softer' behavioural side of the project management process to determine the status of the project in relation to its human elements. Second, the PIP gives project managers the opportunity to focus some of their attention of the strategic issues of project development. This paper discusses the project implementation process, focussing on ten critical project success factors identified as the result of a recent study. It further outlines the ways in which the PIP can be used by project managers. Finally, an illustrative example of a project that used the PIP to advantage is given.