Where a project design gives the broad picture — what the project looks like, what it aims to achieve (as set out in the theory of change) and an indicative budget — the implementation plan is more detailed, and focused on managing the inputs: funds, people and other resources.
When the plan takes shape
A project implementation plan is developed in the inception phase, as the project team is mobilised and recruited and more detail emerges about costs, the availability of inputs, the workability of the approach and other factors.
Alongside an operations manual, this core document guides management on how inputs are to be used. It provides a detailed work plan of management and project activities, costs and schedules — the plan the project reports and is held accountable against.
A living document
An implementation plan is dynamic. It's updated to keep the project relevant and responsive to the needs of donors and the people it's for, and to account for changes in context, circumstances, direction and budget.
